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Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty

Montgomery GI Bill®- Active Duty - Chapter 30

The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. Benefits are generally payable for 10 years following your release from active duty (delimiting date).

What is the Montgomery GI Bill®- Active Duty?

The Montgomery GI Bill®- Active Duty, called "MGIB" for short, provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans for:

  • College
  • Technical or Vocational Courses
  • Correspondence Courses
  • Apprenticeship/Job Training
  • Flight Training

Who is Eligible?

You may be an eligible veteran if you received an Honorable Discharge, AND you have a High School Diploma or GED or, in some cases 12 hours of college credit, AND you meet the requirements of one of the categories below:

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CATEGORY I

  • Entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985
  • Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for first 12 months
  • Continuously served for 3 years, OR 2 years if that is what you first enlisted for, OR 2 years if you entered Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty and served 4 years ("2 by 4" Program)

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CATEGORY II

  • Entered active duty before January 1, 1977
  • Served at least 1 day between 10/19/84 and 6/30/85, and stayed on active duty through 6/30/88, (or 6/30/87 if you entered Selected Reserve within 1 year of leaving active duty and served 4 years)
  • On 12/31/89, you had entitlement left from Vietnam Era GI Bill

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CATEGORY III

  • Not eligible for MGIB under Category I or II
  • On active duty on 9/30/90 AND separated involuntarily after 2/2/91,
  • OR involuntarily separated on or after 11/30/93,
  • OR voluntarily separated under either the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) or Special Separation Benefit (SSB) program
  • Before separation, you had military pay reduced by $1200

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CATEGORY IV

  • On active duty on 10/9/96 AND you had money remaining in a VEAP account on that date AND you elected MGIB by 10/9/97
  • OR entered full-time National Guard duty under title 32, USC, between 7/1/85, and 11/28/89 AND you elected MGIB during the period 10/9/96, through 7/8/97
  • Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for 12 months or made a $1200 lump-sum contribution

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*Please note, SVCC's Office of Veterans Services cannot determine eligibility. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact the VA at (888)GI-BILL1.

What is the Period of Eligibility?

You usually have 10 years to use your MGIB benefits, but the time limit can be less, in some cases, and longer under certain circumstances.

How Much Does VA Pay?

The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the type of training you take, length of your service, your category, and if DOD put extra money in your MGIB Fund (called "kickers"). If the DOD put extra money in your MGIB Fund, please note that it is addition to the rates below. 

Current Benefit Rates for Chapter 30 Benefit Recipients

$600 Buy-up Program


If you contributed up to an additional $600 to the GI Bill®to receive increased monthly benefits, you may receive up to an additional $150 per month. Click HERE to see a listing of rates.

How Do I Apply?

New Applicant

You may apply by filling out VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits and submitting the completed form along with your DD-214 member 4, and a SVCC Veteran Educational Benefit Cover Sheet to the Office of Veterans Services. You must also request transcripts from all previous education/training be sent to SVCC. Contact information for transcript requests may be found here.

You may also apply online at the vets.gov website. If you choose to apply online, please print out the application and bring it along with your SVCC Veteran Educational Benefit Cover Sheet to the Office of Veterans Services. We will notify the Veterans Administration Office of your method of applying for benefits.

Transfer Applicant

You may apply by filling out VA Form 22-1995, Request for Change of Program or Place of Training. This form may be completed online at the vets.gov website. The original VA Form 22-1995 and SVCC Veteran Educational Benefit Cover Sheet must be submitted to the Office of Veterans Services.

Monthly Verification of Enrollment

All veterans using the MGIB must verify their enrollment at the end of each month that they are receiving benefits for. Your enrollment can be verified starting on the last calendar day of the month by using our Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) at www.gibill.va.gov/wave or by calling the toll free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-823-2378.

How can I Prevent Overpayments and Penalties?

An overpayment is an incorrect benefit payment that is more than the amount to which you are entitled. You must promptly notify SVCC's Certifying Official of changes affecting your benefits, to prevent or reduce overpayments.

Carefully read all mail from the VA about the effective dates and monthly rate of your benefits. If you think you have received an incorrect check or direct deposit, contact the VA immediately. If you fail to contact the VA regarding a check or direct deposit for the wrong amount, you will be liable for repayment of any resulting overpayment.

How Can I Get More Information?

Visit the Department of Veteran Affairs web page, Montgomery GI Bill®- Active Duty Education Benefits or Call toll free 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).