Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB)
I. Benefit Description
The Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty program provides up to 36 months of education
benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs,
apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Vocational flight training
is approved from September 30, 1990. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be
approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years
following your release from active duty.
II. Eligibility
You may use the education benefits under the MGIB program if you qualify under one of
the following categories:
Category I
You must have first entered active duty after June 30, 1985, and had your military pay
reduced by $1200. This amount is non-refundable.
If you are now on active duty, you may begin using these benefits after completing two
years of service.
You may also be eligible if you enlisted for 2 years of active duty with an obligation
to serve 4 years in the Selected Reserve (the 2 by 4 program). You must have entered the
Selected Reserve within 1 year of your release from active duty.
If you are separated from active duty, you must have an honorable discharge, and you
must have completed your initial period of obligated active duty. Under certain
circumstances, an early discharge or release from active duty may permit you to be
eligible for MGIB benefits. This early release could reduce the amount of your
entitlement.
Members of the National Guard who first entered active duty on or after November 28,
1989, under Title 32 U.S.C. (Active Guard Reserve or AGR), and who never served on active
duty before entering AGR service, may use this active duty to establish MGIB eligibility.
These members also are required to have their military pay reduced by $1200, which is
non-refundable.
You must obtain a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate before your first
period of active duty ends. Completing 12 credit hours toward a college degree meets this
requirement.
Category II
If you had remaining entitlement under the Vietnam Era GI Bill on December 31, 1989,
and served on active duty sometime between October 19, 1984, and June 30, 1985, and
continued to serve through July, 1988, (or June 30, 1987, if combined with Selected
Reserve service) you may be entitled to MGIB benefits.
In addition to the basic MGIB benefit rate, you will receive 1/2 of the Vietnam Era GI
Bill rate, including the allowance paid for veterans with dependents. If you qualify for
this category, your military pay will not be reduced.
You must have obtained a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate before
December 31, 1989. Completing 12 credit hours toward a college degree meets this
requirement.
Category III
Effective February 3, 1991, the law was amended to allow members who originally
declined to participate or who were not eligible to participate, to elect MGIB benefits
before separation if they are involuntarily separated from service. On October 23, 1992,
the law was further expanded to allow the same opportunity to those voluntarily separated
under the Special Separation Benefit (SSB) and Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI)
programs.
If you were eligible for the Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP), you must
elect to receive benefits under MGIB and apply for a refund of your contributions to VEAP.
You must obtain a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate before you apply
for benefits. Completing 12 credit hours toward a college degree meets this requirement.
III. Discharges and Separations
You must have an "honorable" discharge from active duty to participate in the
MGIB program. Discharges designated "under honorable conditions" and
"general" do not establish your eligibility for the MGIB program.
A discharge for one of the following reasons could result in a reduction of the
required length of active duty to qualify for benefits under the MGIB:
- Convenience of the Government;
- Disability;
- Hardship;
- Medical Conditions Existing Before Entry into Service;
- Force Reductions; or
- Medical Condition Which Prevents Satisfactory Performance of Duty.
IV. How to Apply
You should make sure that your selected program is approved for VA training. If you are
not clear on this point, VA will inform you and the school or company about the
requirements.
Obtain and complete VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits. Send it to the
VA regional office with jurisdiction over the State where you will train. If you are not
on active duty, send copy 4 (Member Copy) of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or
Discharge From Active Duty. If you are on active duty, you must have your enrollment
approved by your base Education Services Officer, and you must have your service verified
by your Commanding Officer. If you are eligible under Category II and claim dependents, be
sure to send original or copies of dependency documentation.
If you have started training, take your application to your school or employer. Ask
them to complete VA Form 22-1999, Enrollment Certification, and send both forms to VA.
V. Other Related Benefits and Information
Contact your local VA Regional Office for additional assistance by dialing our
toll-free number, 1-800-827-1000.
