As if figuring out the GI Bills isn’t hard enough, two of them have the same name – Montgomery GI Bill – but are very different in who they apply to and the rate of pay. In Part One, we cover the Montgomery GI Bill for active-duty members – the MGIB-AD. In Part Two, we will cover the Montgomery GI Bill for Reservists and National Guardsmen… the Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve or the MGIB-SR.
Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB – AD)
The MGIB-AD, also known as Chapter 30, is one of the educational assistance programs available to active-duty service members and veterans. Established in 1984, its purpose was to help military personnel transition into civilian life with enhanced education and job skills. The MGIB-AD offers financial support for a wide range of education and training programs.
Whether you’re pursuing a college degree, vocational training, technical certification, or other types of training, the MGIB-AD can be a valuable financial resource in achieving your goals.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the MGIB-AD, you must meet specific criteria related to your service and contributions.
- Service Requirements – Served at least two years on active duty and have been Honorably discharged for eligibility.
- Education Contribution – Must have elected to participate in the MGIB program and made a $1,200 contribution during your first year of service. This is often referred to as the “buy-in” contribution.
- High School Diploma or Equivalent – Must have completed a high school diploma, GED, or 12 hours of college credit before applying.
- Time Limits – Benefits must be used within 10 years of discharge from active duty, though certain extensions are available for qualifying circumstances.
What the MGIB-AD Covers
The MGIB-AD provides financial assistance for various education and training programs. These programs are paid at the full-time/part-time rates shown below under Benefits and Payment rates. The programs covered include:
- College degrees (associate, bachelor’s, or advanced degrees) and certificate programs
- High-tech training
- Non-college degree programs (vocational or technical training)
- Entrepreneurship training
- National testing programs (e.g., SAT, LSAT, GMAT, etc.)
- Flight training – reimburses 60% of approved charges.
- Apprenticeship/on-the-job training. Monthly payment decreases as you progress through your training:
- Months 1-6: $1,828.50 per month
- Months 7-12: $1,340.90 per month
- After the first year: $853.30 per month
- To receive the full amount, you must work at least 120 hours each month
- As the payment decreases, the amount received each month from your employer increases.
- Correspondence courses – pays 55% of the cost of completed lessons.
Benefits and Payment Rates
The payment rates for MGIB-AD are determined annually and depend on the type of training and enrollment status (full-time, half-time, etc.). The current rates are shown below:
- Full-Time Enrollment: A monthly stipend is provided for those attending school full-time. The 2024/2025 rate is $2,438.00 per month
- Part-Time Enrollment: Pro-rated benefits are available for those attending part-time or taking fewer credit hours. The current part-time rates are $1.838.50 for ¾ time; $1,219.00 for ½ time, and less than ½ time, but more than ¼ time; $609.50 ¼ time enrollment or less.
It’s essential to verify the current payment rates through the VA website or your unit’s education office.
The MGIB-AD monthly stipend is paid directly to the veteran or service member based on enrollment status and type of training. Payment rates are updated annually, and the amount depends on factors such as:
- Type of Training: College, vocational, or on-the-job training.
- Enrollment Status: Full-time, half-time, or less than half-time.
- Additional Contributions: Veterans who contributed to the Buy-Up program while serving may receive increased benefits each month.
Duration of Benefits
Eligible veterans can receive up to 36 months of education benefits under the MGIB-AD program. These benefits can be used continuously or spread out over time, depending on your educational goals and program requirements.
Application Process
To access your MGIB-AD benefits, follow these steps:
- Verify Eligibility:
Confirm your service records and contributions to the program through your branch of service or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). - Submit VA Form 22-1990:
Complete the “Application for VA Education Benefits.” This can be done online via the VA’s eBenefits portal. - Choose an Approved Program:
Ensure your educational institution or training program is VA-approved. Most colleges and universities, as well as vocational schools, qualify. - Enrollment Certification:
Once enrolled, your school certifies your attendance and sends the necessary paperwork to the VA to initiate your payments.
Additional Considerations
- Top-Up Program: Active-duty service members can use MGIB-AD benefits in conjunction with Tuition Assistance (TA) to cover the remaining tuition costs that TA does not fully fund.
- Transfer of Benefits: Unlike the Post-9/11 GI Bill (PGIB), MGIB-AD benefits cannot be transferred to dependents. However, transitioning to the PGIB while still serving may allow for transfer options.
- Time Limits and Extensions: In certain cases, such as disability or re-entry into active duty, the 10-year time limit for using benefits may be extended.
- “Buy-Up” Program: Service members can contribute up to an additional $600 to their MGIB account during service, increasing the monthly benefits they receive.
- The MGIB-AD option while on active duty is scheduled to end in 2030. However, its benefits can continue to be used up to the delimiting date.
Post 9/11 GI Bill/MGIB-AD Update
With the Rudisill decision final, veterans may now use both their MGIB-AD and PGIB benefits. Before the decision, veterans who had MGIB-AD entitlement left, and wanted to switch to the PGIB, had to give up any unused MGIB-AD entitlement and they only received the same number of months of PGIB entitlement that they had left under the MGIB-AD. Now veterans having both GI Bills can use their full 48 months of entitlement from both GI Bills – using one GI Bill at a time. If you lost GI Bill benefits from switching to the PGIB, the VA discusses on its website how to get those benefits restored.
In Part Two, we’ll discuss the Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserves and how it differs from the MGIB-AD.
