Understanding how the Rudisill decision affects your education benefits has gotten complicated with all the legal nuances and VA implementation details. As someone who has helped dozens of veterans maximize their education benefits, I learned everything there is to know about this landmark case – and it could mean an extra year of school for you.
Probably should have led with this: a 2024 Supreme Court ruling quietly gave veterans access to an extra year of education benefits. Most have no idea.
If you served multiple periods of active duty, you may be entitled to 48 months of education benefits instead of 36. That’s an entire extra year of school – paid for.
The Rudisill Decision Explained
In 2024, the Supreme Court ruled in Rudisill v. McDonough that veterans who served multiple qualifying periods of active duty can combine benefits from both the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) and the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Before this ruling, the VA forced veterans to choose. You could use one or the other, but combining them was complicated and often denied.
Now? You can stack them. Up to 48 months total. That’s what makes this ruling endearing to us – it finally gives veterans what they earned.
Who This Applies To
You may qualify if:
- You served more than one period of active duty (for example, enlisted, got out, then came back in)
- You earned eligibility for both MGIB (Chapter 30) and Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
- You haven’t exhausted all your benefits yet
This is especially relevant for:
- Prior service members who re-enlisted
- Guard and Reserve members with multiple activations
- Veterans who started with MGIB and later qualified for Post-9/11
What 12 Extra Months Gets You
Let’s put this in perspective. An extra 12 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits means:
- $29,920+ in tuition at private schools (2025-26 cap)
- $28,000+ in housing allowance (varies by ZIP code)
- $1,000 in book stipend
That’s potentially $60,000+ in additional benefits you might be leaving on the table.
For veterans pursuing graduate degrees, professional programs, or career changes – this is game-changing.
How the Math Works
The standard GI Bill entitlement is 36 months. Under Rudisill:
- If you have 36 months of Post-9/11 eligibility AND unused MGIB eligibility, you can access up to 48 months combined
- You use Post-9/11 benefits first (better benefits)
- Then MGIB kicks in for the remaining months
The catch: MGIB benefits are lower than Post-9/11. But 12 months of MGIB is still better than zero months of anything.
How to Check If You Qualify
Step 1: Log into VA.gov and check your remaining entitlement for both Chapter 30 (MGIB) and Chapter 33 (Post-9/11).
Step 2: Review your service history. Did you serve multiple periods of active duty? Each period may have generated separate eligibility.
Step 3: Contact the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551. Specifically ask about Rudisill and whether you qualify for combined entitlement.
Step 4: If you’ve been denied combined benefits in the past, request a review under the new Rudisill guidance.
What If the VA Already Denied You?
If you previously applied to combine MGIB and Post-9/11 benefits and were denied, you may be able to get that decision reversed.
The VA is required to apply the Rudisill ruling to pending and future claims. If your denial was based on the old interpretation, request reconsideration.
Document everything. Get the denial letter. Reference Rudisill v. McDonough explicitly in your appeal.
Strategic Ways to Use 48 Months
With 48 months instead of 36, you have options:
- Bachelor’s + Master’s degree – A 4-year degree plus a 2-year graduate program is now fully covered
- Career change – Get one degree, work, then go back for something completely different
- Professional school – Law school (3 years) or MBA programs become more accessible
- Transfer to dependents – More months means more to pass to your spouse or children
The Fine Print
A few things to know:
- The 48-month cap is cumulative across all VA education programs
- You can’t double-dip (receive both MGIB and Post-9/11 payments simultaneously)
- Post-9/11 benefits are generally used first because they’re more valuable
- This doesn’t create new benefits – it lets you access benefits you already earned
Bottom Line
The Rudisill decision is one of the most significant veteran education wins in years. But it’s not automatic. You have to know about it and claim it.
If you served multiple periods of active duty, you may have an extra year of benefits waiting. Check your eligibility today.
Twelve months of education benefits is too valuable to leave unclaimed.
