The majority of veterans attending college today with federal financial support use the Post-9/11 GI Bill program. This generous benefit passed in 2008 and awards eligible veterans 36 months of tuition payouts, housing stipends and other financial assistance. 

The Montgomery GI Bill program was the predecessor to that benefit, and is being phased out by the department. Although it offers far less money, it can still can provide several thousands of dollars annually to veterans for tuition costs if they paid into the program at the start of their military service. 

Currently, VA officials make students give up eligibility for the Montgomery GI Bill program when they register to begin using the Post-9/11 GI Bill. That means that once their education benefits from that program are exhausted, they cannot receive more tuition support from the other program. 

For veterans who have exhausted their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, the ruling could mean an additional 12 months of Montgomery GI Bill benefits to finish a degree program or start a new one, provided they served at least six years on active duty (three years each to qualify separately for the two programs).