Thanks for the chance to help. I am an attorney with over 12 years military law experience.

The NGB22 is not the same as a DD214.

It is similar. It records service at the end of a period of service.

But the NGB22 reflects non title 10 service, where the DD214 reflects active duty under title 10 US Code service.

So similar...but not the same.

Every organization has their own rules.

For VA purposes, a veteran is someone who served on active duty OR someone who was injured while serving on reserve (title 32 duty).

But different organizations have different rules.

Sorry, I was not clear on what organization you were referring to.

The answer to the question "what defines a veteran" depends on who is asking the question.

As I mention, the VA has its own rules.

Federal financial aid rules are the HEA (Higher Education Act)

Section 480(d)(3) of the HEA indicates that a student is considered to be an independent student if he or she is a veteran of the US Armed Forces, which is defined in Section 480(c)(1) to mean any individual who:
has engaged in the active duty in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard; and
was released under a condition other than dishonorable.

So if you meet that definition...if you were on active duty, even for basic training, and received a discharge that is anything other than dishonorable you are a vet.

Hope that clears it up

If you served active duty and went to bootcamp you SHOULD have received a DD214 for that service.

Frankly, you may have one...if you request your record you may well be surprised to find you have one for that period.

Again, a DD214 is to reflect title 10 active service (bootcamp/AIT is title 10 service). The NGB22 is to reflect your guard service overall.

But to answer the question, for student loan purposes, you qualify as a veteran (based on your honorable discharge)

Welcome

Best of luck