Enrollment Criteria

 Montgomery GI Bill

  • Education benefits are based on the actual date the servicemember enters regular Army active duty.
    • Time spent in the Selected Reserves, active duty for training or any time spent in the delayed entry program cannot be added to time spent on Regular Army active duty to meet the minimum time-in-service requirements for MGIB eligibility.
  • Eligible servicemembers enroll using DD Form 2366 and should be signed upon entry to active duty.  See your Army Education Center if no action was taken.
  • Under Public Law (PL) 102-568 different periods of service can only be added together in two situations:
    • Service academy cadets with prior active duty service who fail to complete a course of education and re-enter active duty may combine the two periods.
    • Anyone separated during the first 12 months of their initial period of active duty for either hardship, a service-connected disability, a pre-existing medical condition, or a condition (not a disability) that interferes with duty, may re-enter active duty and combine the two periods.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Enter active duty for the first time on or after July 1, 1985.
  • Serve 24 months on a two-year enlistment and 36 months on a three-year or greater enlistment.
  • Receive a high school diploma or equivalency before applying for Chapter 30 benefits.
  • Receive a fully Honorable Discharge. (Under Honorable Conditions does not meet this criteria.)
  • Has never declined MGIB.

Not Eligible to Enroll

  • U.S. Service Academy graduate or ROTC scholarship graduate.  Exceptions are :
    • servicemembers separating from active duty under the provisions of Public Laws 101-510 (Involuntary Separation) or 102-484 (Voluntary Separation Incentive/Special Separation Benefit).
    • ROTC Scholarship recipients entering active duty after September 30, 1996, and who received less than $2,000 in any one school year.  This amount was increased to $3,400 for those entering active duty after December 27, 2001.
    • Reservist on active duty for training.

Enlisted to Officer

  • The ROTC students may collect benefits while attending school only if they were enrolled and met MGIB eligibility prior to separation from active duty (met the 20/30-month rule). Graduates will retain any remaining MGIB.
  • Individuals attending a service academy cannot collect MGIB benefits; however, graduates will retain their MGIB if all requirements, including time-in-service (20-30 months active duty rule), are met prior to starting the academy.
  • US Army Military Academy Preparatory School (USAMAPS) students cannot use MGIB while attending USAMAPS. USAMAPS graduates are discharged at the convenience of the government from enlisted status to accept the United States Military Academy (USMA). They must satisfy time-in-service (30 months of active duty) prior to graduation from USAMAPS in order to retain MGIB.

Enrollment Procedures

(U.S.C., Title 38, Chapter 30, Section 3011(b))

  • Enlisted soldiers processing at their first duty station (i.e., basic training, direct duty) are automatically enrolled.
    • The option to disenroll must occur within the first three working days of entering active duty.
  • Officers are not automatically enrolled. They must enroll/disenroll - within three working days of entering active duty, usually at the Officer Basic Course.
  • Individuals entering active duty for the first time (excluding active duty for training) from the Selected Reserves are not automatically enrolled. The first duty station must ensure the individual has the opportunity to enroll/disenroll within the first three working days.
  • Disenrollment is a one-time, irrevocable decision.
  • Enrollment
    • Individual signs a statement of understanding, Department of Defense Form 2366, that they agree to a $100/month reduction in pay during first 12 months of active service.
    • Monies reduced are not taxable and not refundable.
      NOTE: The reason for this is the money is reduced, not deducted. According to the law, it was money that was never in the control of the individual. The ruling is you can not get a refund of money you never earned.
    • Monies reduced cannot be stopped or suspended.

Separation Categories – Montgomery GI Bill

There are many categories of separation. Some such as hardship and disability or separations under PL 101-510 are authorized one month of benefits for each month served on active duty not to exceed 36 months.  The two predominant types of separations are convenience of the government (COG) and non-convenience of the government (Non-COG). Anyone separating early must visit their Army Education Center (AEC) to discuss eligibility for benefits as a veteran.

  • Convenience of Government separations require two-year enlistees to complete at least 20 months, and individuals enlisting for terms greater than two years must complete at least 30 months (20/30-month rule).
  • Non-Convenience, also known as "other" type separations require two-year enlistees to complete at least 24 months, and individuals enlisting for terms greater than two must complete at least 36 months (24/36-month rule).
    • Anyone who requests an early separation under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 16-4, based on a bar to reenlistment is considered a non-COG type separation ("other") and the 24/36 month rule applies.
  • Certain separations from active duty authorized MGIB enrollment are covered under PL 101-510 and 102-484.

Time-in-Service Requirements

 (U.S.C., Title 38, Chapter 30, Section 3011)

  • The law requires the soldier to complete their initial term of service to qualify for benefits. The law does provide for early separations including the following: Individuals who serve in the Armed Forces and are discharged for the convenience of the government (COG) will receive their full benefits if they serve no less than 20 months on a two year enlistment and no less than 30 months on a three or four year enlistment. The separation reason listed on a soldier's Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD Form 214, Member 4 Copy, Block 26, determines if an individual meets MGIB eligibility.
  • Individuals can earn one month of benefits for each month of active duty served not to exceed 36 months if separated for hardship, service-connected disability, pre-existing medical condition or condition - not a disability - that interferes with duty, or if separated under the provisions of PLs 101-510 or 102-484.

Note: Determining which separation authority falls into these categories is extremely difficult. Individuals are highly advised to visit their Army Education Center for counseling.

Army College Fund or "Kicker"

  • The MGIB is an entitlement under the law and is currently valued at $28,800 for three or more years enlistment and $23,400 for a two year enlistment for 36 months of benefits.
  • The MGIB also authorizes each service to offer extra money for those enlisting in critical jobs. This portion is controlled by each service. The U.S. Army refers to this extra money as the Army College Fund (ACF) or as a "kicker". Servicemember must enlist for certain critical military occupational specialty.  Current amounts offered include the MGIB; therefore, enrollment in the MGIB upon entry to active duty is mandatory to qualify for ACF.
  • The ACF is an enlistment incentive that must be included in the enlistment agreement. Verbal agreements will not be honored. If an individual meets all eligibility criteria, enlisted with the ACF as an incentive, they must ensure it is included in their enlistment agreement. If promised the ACF, the individual should receive a Department of Army Form 3286-66 upon entry to active duty with the incentive listed in section 1a.
  • If informed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), when an individual starts to use their entitlements, that their records have no ACF (kicker), then they must forward documentary evidence to the DVA when applying for benefits on VA Form 22-1990. Individuals may simultaneously fax their DA Form 3286-66 to Education Incentives and Counseling Branch.

Monthly Benefits Rates- Montgomery GI Bill

  • Active Duty
    • Servicemembers receive the cost of the course or the rate as a veteran; whichever is less.
    • The two-year enlistees who extend on active duty for 12 months or longer will receive the same benefits as a three-year enlistee, retroactive to July 1, 1985.
  • Veterans
    • Veterans Education and Benefits
      Expansion Act of 2001 Section 101
      MGIB Rates / Effective January 2002
    • Benefits are prorated for less than full time study. Benefits are adjusted annually by the Consumer Price Index.

Education and Training

(Department of Veterans Affairs Approved)

  • Colleges courses
  • Technical/Business/Vocational Schools
  • Tutorial assistance, remedial, and refresher training
  • Residence/correspondence courses
  • Apprenticeship and on-the-job training (OJT)
  • Work-study programs
  • Cooperative programs
  • Flight training (must have private pilot's license first)

Note: Not included are high school courses. The MGIB requires completion of high school, or equivalency, prior to application of benefits.

Survivor Benefits

  • Survivor benefits are only paid if the member dies while on active duty or within one year of separation for service-connected causes.
  • Paid to: Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) beneficiary, then spouse, then child(ren), then parent(s). If no such person(s) is surviving, then no payment is made.
  • Apply by letter with copy of death certificate to:

Department of Veterans Affairs
P. O. Box 66830
St. Louis, MO 63166-6830

Benefit Use

  • The MGIB is governed by Public Law. Exceptions to policy cannot be considered when dealing with matters of law.
  • Benefits under the MGIB cannot presently be transferred to a spouse or dependent, except as outlined under survivor benefits.
  • Benefits can be used in-service after 24 months of continuous active duty (monthly benefit rates).
  • Honorably discharged veterans have 10 years from date of last discharge from active duty to use benefits
  • If separated EARLY for any of these conditions:
    • Hardship
    • Service-connected disability
    • Medical condition existing prior to service
    • Reduction-in-force
    • Separations authorized under provisions of PLs 101-510 and 102-484. then, the member will receive: "one month of benefit for each month served on active duty."  Maximum of 36 months.
  • If the member does not have a high school diploma they must be counseled on the prospects of losing the MGIB if high school equivalency is not achieved by time of application of MGIB benefits.
  • Former Service Academy cadet, ROTC dropout, or non-scholarship ROTC graduate who is reporting for active duty for the first time must visit the AEC  to receive counseling on MGIB benefits.
  • The MGIB participants who are separated for either hardship, disability, pre-existing medical condition, or a condition (not a disability) that interferes with duty and have no more than 12 months of active service, and who later return to active duty, may combine their prior active duty served to equal total period served.
  • The MGIB participants who separate prior to completing the 20/30-month rule to attend a service academy, and subsequently fails to complete the course of instruction, which results in re-entry to active duty, may combine the two periods of service to attain eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for a list of MGIB frequently asked questions

References

  • United States Code (U.S.C.), Title 38, Chapter 30
  • Public Law 100-689
    Amended U.S.C., Title 38, Chapter 30
  • Public Law 101-510
    Involuntary Separations
  • Public Law 102-484
    Voluntary Separation Incentive/Special Separation Benefit
  • Public Law 102-568
    Educational Assistance Programs
  • Public Law 104-275
    VEAP to MGIB Conversion of 1997
  • Public Law 106-419
    VEAP to MGIB Conversion of 2001
  • Public Law 106-398
    Top Up
  • Public Law 107-14
    Veterans' Survivor Benefits Improvements Act of 2001
  • Army Regulation (AR) 621-202 
    Army Educational Incentives and Entitlements, February 1992
  • Army Regulation 635-200
    Enlisted Personnel, November 1, 2000