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Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Overview

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible Soldiers and Veterans for programs such as: college, business, technical, or vocational school; apprenticeship / on-the-job training; correspondence courses; remedial, deficiency, and refresher training (in some cases); and flight training.

Eligibility:

 

Active duty Soldiers currently in service may be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill -Active Duty (MGIB-AD) after serving two years of active duty.Former active duty Soldiers that have separated from service may be an eligible Veteran if they: 1) first enlisted after June 30, 1985, 2) did not decline MGIB in writing, 3) were not commissioned as a Service Academy Graduate or an ROTC Scholarship Graduate, 4) have served three continuous years of active duty or have served two continuous years of active duty if the original enlistment period was less than three years; or served two years with an obligation to serve four years in the Selected Reserve AND entered the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty.

 

If a Soldier entered active duty before July 1, 1985, different rules apply. Soldiers may qualify in one of four categories of eligibility. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recommends that all Soldiers file a claim for benefits to receive a formal decision on their eligibility.

 

The ability to use MGIB benefits expires 10 years after the date the Soldier was discharged from the Army or released from active duty.

 

Benefit Highlights:

 

The Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (MGIB-AD) provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible Soldiers on active duty and Veterans for a variety of programs. Soldiers generally have ten years after they leave active duty to use MGIB-AD benefits.

 

Education programs that qualify under the GI bill include:

 

  • Attending classes that lead to a college degree like an Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate Degree

 

  • Vocational programs that lead to a degree or certificate

 

  • Accredited independent study such as online or internet training

 

  • Correspondence training (55% of approved costs)

 

  • On-the job (OJT) or apprenticeship training - reimbursed at:

    • 75% of the fulltime GI Bill rate for the first six months of training

    •  55% for the second six months

    • 35% for the remainder of the training

    • Soldier also receives a salary from employer

 

  • Flight training - up to 60% of approved charges (must have private pilot license and valid medical certificate)

 

  • Licensing & certification up to $2,000.00 per exam - pass or fail

 

  • Entrepreneurship classes offered through the Small Business Development Center or the National Veterans Business Development Center

 

  • High cost tech courses - up to 60% of the charges may be reimbursed

 

Payment Rates are based on a number of factors, including:

 

  • Length of Soldier's original enlistment

 

  • Type of training taken

 

  • Amount of classes Soldier is enrolled in

 

  • Participation in the GI Bill $600.00 buy-up program

 

  • Participation in a college fund program

 

  • Rates determined by Congress which usually change each fiscal year

 

Current Payment Rates:

 

The following rates are effective as of 1 October 2013.

 

For Soldiers enrolled in full time institutional training:

 

  • A full time student who had an original enlistment of three years or more is eligible for $1,648.00 per month.

 

  • A full time student who had an original enlistment of less than three years is eligible for $1,339.00 per month.

 

If a Soldier is enrolled for less than full-time institutional training, the rate is adjusted proportionally:

 

  • A 3/4-time student who had an original enlistment of three years or more is eligible for $1,236.00 per month.

 

  • A 3/4-time student who had an original enlistment of less than three years is eligible for $1,004.25 per month.

 

  • A 1/2-time student who had an original enlistment of three years or more is eligible for $824.00 per month.

 

  • A 1/2-time student who had an original enlistment of less than three years is eligible for $669.50per month.

 

For Soldiers enrolled in apprenticeship and on-the-job training who had an original enlistment of three years or more:

 

  • First six months of training are paid $1,236.00 per month

 

  • Second six months of training are paid $906.40 per month

 

  • The remainder of training is paid $576.80 per month

 

If a Soldier is enrolled in apprenticeship and on-the-job training, who had an original enlistment of less than three years:

 

  • First six months of training are paid $1,004.25 per month

 

  • Second six months of training are paid $736.45 per month

 

  • The remainder of training is paid $468.65 per month

 

Veterans Affairs (VA) Notification:

 

  • For colleges, vocational schools, independent study, flight, correspondence, and high-tech training, the school reports Soldier's enrollment to the VA.

 

  • For OJT and apprenticeship training, Soldier's employer or union notifies the VA.

 

  • For licensing & certification tests, Soldier must report his enrollment and provide the VA with a receipt, his test results, and written permission for VA to view his records.

 

  • For entrepreneurship classes the Small Business Development Center of the National Business Development Center will report Soldier's enrollment to the VA.

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