The Montgomery GI Bill (MGI Bill)

To servicemembers and veterans, the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) is a tax-free education benefit worth almost $50,000. Since it was introduced in 1984, thousands of servicemembers have used their Chapter 30 GI Bill benefits to lead to rewarding and lucrative civilian careers.

What Are the Benefits of the Montgomery GI Bill?

Currently, the maximum monthly Chapter 30 GI Bill benefits paid to students is $1,368 per month, for up to 36 months. By going to school 9 months of the year, servicemembers can get a four-year degree before exhausting their military GI Bill benefits.

With the MGI Bill, you can train in a variety of education pursuits including:

• on-campus or online degree programs
• technical or vocational training
• correspondence courses
• on-the-job (OJT) or apprenticeship training
• flight training
• entrepreneurship training
• high tech training
• licensing and certification tests

One caution, if you don't use your Chapter 30 education benefits within 10 years of your discharge date, you lose any remaining benefits.

Who Is Eligible for MGI Bill Benefits?

Once in basic training, servicemembers have the option to sign up for the military GI Bill and establish a payroll deduction of $100 per month, for 12 months. To use the benefit however, a servicemember must serve either two or three years on active duty (depending on your enlistment contract) and have an honorable discharge.

If you wish to increase your monthly benefit, you can also sign up for the "Buy-Up" program while on active duty. For an additional contribution of $600, you can get up to $5,400 of additional education benefits with the Buy-Up program that is then paid monthly with your MGI Bill payment once you start school.

How Do I Start Using The Montgomery GI Bill?

When you decide to start using your MGI Bill education benefits, fill out VA Form 22-1990 online at the VONAPP Website, or download the form, fill it out and mail it in according to the instructions. Once you receive your first check, you must go into the VA's Web Automated Verification of Eligibility (WAVE) site each month to verify your enrollment and keep your payments coming.

What about the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

On August 1, 2009, a new military GI Bill was added to the family. Different in many ways from the Montgomery GI Bill, the new Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits include:

• tuition paid directly to schools
• a monthly housing allowance
• a books and supplies stipend
• a transfer of benefits option

Like its older sibling, the Post 9/11 GI Bill also provides 36 months of education benefits, however, the new GI Bill's benefits expire 15 years after discharge from active duty, instead of 10 years as with the Chapter 30 GI Bill.

Whether you choose the old or new military GI Bill, there is one that is right for you. It's your earned benefit--now use it.

Ron Kness retired from the military in 2006 with 36 years of service. His last assignment was a Division Command Sergeant Major/ E-9