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Chapter 30 – Active Duty Montgomery GI Bill
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The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) was created to help veterans of active duty military service pay for their education and training providing up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans for:
- College
- Technical or Vocational Courses
- Correspondence Courses
- Apprenticeship/Job Training
- Flight Training
- High-tech Training
- Licensing & Certification Tests
- Entrepreneurship Training
- Certain Entrance Examinations
- Tuition Assistance: “Top-Up
The GI Bill is currently worth up to $38,700. This amount is based on the 2007 monthly full-time student payment rate of $1075 multiplied by the 36-month limit. This “payment rate” automatically increases on October first each year. You get the annual increase no matter when you became eligible or begin using it.
The term "36 months of benefits" refers to academic months. This means with UCSB you will have 12 quarters or (four years) to complete a traditional academic education (excluding Summer Session).
You may be an eligible veteran if you have an Honorable Discharge, AND you have a High School Diploma or GED or in some cases 12 hours of college credit, AND you meet the requirements of one of the categories below:
If you are separated from service, you may be an eligible veteran if you:
- Entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985
- Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for first 12 months
- Continuously served for 3 years, OR 2 years if that is what you first enlisted for, OR 2 years if you entered the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty and served 4 years ("2 by 4" Program)
Eligibility Pitfalls - You should be aware that the following pitfalls could cause you to lose all MGIB benefits:
- Discharge Classification: You must have an honorable discharge to be eligible for education benefits. A “general” or “under honorable condition” makes you ineligible for education benefits.
- Early Discharge: To be eligible with an early discharge, your separation reason must meet certain requirements.
Note: Different rules apply if you entered active duty before July 1, 1985, and in certain other cases.
How Much Does VA Pay?
The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the type of training you take, length of your service, your category, and if the DOD put extra money in your MGIB Fund (called "kickers"). Typically, you have ten years to use your MGIB benefits, but the time limit can be less, in some cases, and longer under certain circumstances. See the payment rates section of the main GI BILL website for current and upcoming monthly payment rates.
How Can You Apply?
See Applying For Benefits if you have never applied for your GI BILL benefits before; or the Receiving Benefits at UCSB section if you have already submitted an application for benefits to the VA.
For more information about chapter 30 benefits and eligibility see the GI BILL-Active Duty pamphlet or call 1-888-442-4551.
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