Why isn the MGIB considered Financial Aid?
The MGIB is not considered financial aid because in most cases it is paid directly to you, not the school. This also means that you can use student loans, scholarships, and Pell Grants along with the MGIB. For help in locating scholarships, see the Scholarship Search. How long do I have to use my benefits? Once you have separated from the service you have 10 years to use all of your benefits. Although separating from service “starts the clock” on your 10-year time limit, be aware that if you re-join the service, the “clock stops” until you leave the service again. This broken service will subtract time from your 10-year limit. Example: Seaman Smith left the active duty and joined the Navy Reserve. Three years later she returned to active duty with seven years remaining on the MGIB clock. At that point the clock is on hold at the seven year mark until she leaves the service again, at which point the clock will start ticking again, meaning she now has seven years left to use ALL of her b
