Montgomery GI Bill® Information


Montgomery GI Bill® Information

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/index.asp

The State of Illinois Department of Veteran's Affairs has identified several IFSI courses that qualify for reimbursement for a veteran's federal VA education benefits. If you qualify for Montgomery GI Bill® VA education benefits, you may apply for VA benefits for any of the courses listed below. This reimbursement will come directly to you, normally after you have completed the course. Should your department pay for your training and desire that the department be reimbursed for the costs, IFSI will bill the department and you will have to coordinate repayment with your department.

Courses Qualifying for Reimbursement

The Fire Service Institute has requested, and the State Approving Agency has approved, the following programs for federal veterans' benefits, i.e., GI Bill®. The veteran must contact the Fire Service Institute veterans' certifying official to apply for his/her benefits. The actual amount of the benefits will depend upon the program and the eligibility of the individual veteran or eligible person.

The following are IFSI courses, programs, and eligible hours that qualify for VA education benefits. To be eligible to receive these benefits, the veteran must have completed the course or program within 12 months prior to the date of application to the VA. Details are available upon request.

Additional Information Regarding Payment Policy

The University of Illinois Fire Service Institute will not take any of the four following actions toward any student using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA} Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 3 I) benefits, while their payment from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is pending to the educational institution:

  • Prevent their enrollment;
  • Assess a late penalty fee to;
  • Require they secure alternative or additional funding;
  • Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
  • Produce the VA 's Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class;
  • Provide written request to be certified;
  • Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies (see our VA School Certifying Official for all requirements).
Course Clock Hours
Advanced Fire Officer / NFPA 1021 - Fire Officer II 120
Advanced Fire Officer Blended / NFPA 1021 - Fire Officer II 120
Advanced Technician Firefighter / NFPA Firefighter II 40
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator 24
All Hazards Planning Section Chief (L 0962) 32
ARFF Apparatus Driver/Operator 24
Basic Firefighter / NFPA Firefighter I Academy 370
Basic Operations Firefighter / NFPA Firefighter I Blended 220
Basic Tactics and Strategy 8
Company Fire Officer / NFPA 1021 - Fire Officer I 120
Company Fire Officer Blended / NFPA 1021 - Fire Officer I 120
Confined Space Rescue Awareness and Operations 40
Confined Space Rescue Technician 40
Facility Fire Brigade - Advanced Exterior 40
Facility Fire Brigade - Incipient 24
Facility Fire Brigade - Interior Structural 40
Fire Apparatus Engineer - NFPA Driver/Operator - Pumper 40
Fire Department Incident Safety Officer 40
Fire Inspector I Blended 48
Fire Inspector II Blended 48
Fire Investigator 120
Fire Officer I 40
Fire Service Vehicle Operator 8
Hazardous Materials Awareness - NFPA 7
Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations (470 - Ch 7, 9.2, 9.6) 40
Hazardous Materials Incident Command 16
Hazardous Materials Technician (470 - Ch 11) 80
ICS 300 - Intermediate ICS (O0465) 24
ICS 400 - Advanced ICS for Complex Incidents (O0467) 16
Instructor I 40
Instructor II 40
Mobile Water Supply Apparatus Driver/Operator 16
Public Fire and Life Safety Educator I & II 40
Rope Rescue Awareness and Operations 40
Rope Rescue Technician - Level II 80
Structural Collapse Rescue Awareness and Operations 40
Structural Collapse Rescue Technician 47
Trench Rescue Awareness and Operations 32
Trench Rescue Operations - Level I 32
Trench Rescue Technician (1006 - Ch 12) 40
Trench Rescue Technician - Level II 40
Vehicle and Machinery Operations 40
Vehicle and Machinery Technician 40
Youth Firesetting Prevention and Intervention Specialist 16