Overview of the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB-AD)

Basic Eligibility

Veterans who served on active duty after June 30, 1985, who paid into an educational fund for one year, have been honorably discharged, and have a high school diploma, GED, or 12 college credit hours may be eligible. The following four categories list eligibility specifications:

Category I must:

• Have entered active duty after June 30, 1985
• Have paid $100 a month for the first 12 months of military service
• Have served for 3 consecutive years Active Duty, served 2 years Active Duty if that was the initial enlistment contract, or served 2 years Active Duty followed by entry into the Selected Reserve, serving 4 years, within one year of separation from Active Duty

Category II must:

• Have entered active duty before January 1, 1977
• Have served at least 1 day of Active Duty between the dates of October 19, 1984 and June 30, 1984, and remained on Active Duty through June 30, 1988, or June 30, 1987- if served 4 years of Selected Reserve within one year of separation from Active Duty.
• Have had entitlement left from the Vietnam-Era GI Bill on December 31, 1989

Category III must:

• Not meet eligibility under Category I or II
• Have served on Active Duty on September 30, 1990, and have been involuntarily separated after February 2, 1991, or have been involuntarily separated after November 30, 1993, or were separated under the Voluntary Separation Incentive or the Special Separation Benefit program    
• Have had your military pay reduced by $1,200 before separation

Category IV must:

• Have served on active duty on September 9, 1996 and had money remaining on VEAP and elected MGIB by September 9, 1997

OR

• Have entered full-time National Guard duty between July 1, 1985 and November 28, 1989, and elected MGIB between October 9, 1996 and July 8, 1997
• Have had military pay reduced by $100 a month for 12 months, or have contributed a lump sum of $1,200 to the educational fund

Basic Benefits

In most cases you have 10 years to use your Montgomery GI Bill benefits. The benefits last up to 36 months.

Monthly payments vary based on:

• Type of training
• Length of time in service
• The category you fall under
• If you have any “kickers”

For further information logon to: 
http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/montgomery_gibill/active_duty.html