Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Program

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Program is an educational assistance program enacted by Congress to attract high quality men and women into the Armed Forces. The program is administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and provides education and training opportunities to eligible persons. Additional information is available at the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site.

The following information provides a general description of education benefits under Chapter 1606 or Chapter 30. It includes information to help you receive payments under each program and offers suggestions on where to go for help and how to get more detailed information.

This information may be of help to you in making a decision to enter training. Read this information carefully to understand the full range of available benefits. The information provided is not meant to determine your eligibility for either program. Do not rely on the information provided to determine if you are eligible for education benefits. To receive a formal decision from the VA, you must file a claim for benefits.

Chapter 1606 and Chapter 30 Programs

Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Chapter 1606 Program

Chapter 1606 Program Description
This is a Reserve Component program. The program started on 1 July 1985 and has continued with numerous updates and changes over the past 15 years. Your Unit Administrator (UA), your RSC Education Services Specialist (ESS) or your unit's retention personnel can address eligibility issues, processing procedures and basic questions about MGIB Chapter 1606.

Chapter 1606 Benefit Eligibility
Soldiers obligate themselves for a period of six years in the Selected Reserve (TPU, JRU, AGR, or IMA program). The Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), DD Form 2384, is the basic form used to assist in certifying eligibility for Chapter 1606 benefits. This form is completed once a soldier successfully completes his/her Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and has an MOS awarded. For soldiers reenlisting or for officer personnel, this may be different.

You complete the NOBE at your unit/agency. The soldier receives the original copy, a copy is posted in the soldier's MPRJ (201 file) and a third copy is forwarded to the Regional Office of the Department of Veteran's Affairs.

When you return to your unit/agency from AIT, check with your UA, ESS or retention personnel to to ensure that the NOBE is completed, signed and certified.

The MGIB program applies to enlisted, officer and warrant officer personnel who are participating members assigned to the Selected Reserve. Once you transfer from the Selected Reserve to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) or Retired Reserve, your eligibility is terminated unless you are eligible for transition assistance.

Receiving MGIB Benefits
Receiving benefits is an easy 5-step process:

  1. Complete the NOBE form (DD Form 2483).
  2. Unit personnel electronically input your eligibility code and date into RLAS.
  3. You meet with your college/trade school Veteran's education certifying official, enroll in classes and complete an Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990, download form in .PDF format, get viewer) and Enrollment Certification (VA Form 22-1999) (available only through school officials).
  4. The school certifies all forms and sends them to the VA Regional Office.
  5. The VA pays entitlements based upon electronic eligibility codes and enrollment forms received.

    Note: You must complete all five steps to ensure the VA pays your benefits in a timely manner.

You receive your education benefits on a monthly basis via a check or electronic funds transfer from the VA. Entitlement amounts vary depending upon the number of courses you enroll for (and successfully complete) per semester. You must meet with your school's Veteran's Education Certifying Official each semester to certify/recertify the number of credit hours for which you enrolled.

Application Forms
You need to complete VA Forms 1990 and 1999 to apply for MGIB benefits. These forms are available at your school's VA or guidance counselor's office.

Your Veteran's Education Certifying Official at school may request that you provide a copy of your NOBE form (DD Form 2483). AR-PERSCOM highly recommends that you have your official signed copy of your NOBE form available for your guidance counselor's use.

Processing Time
Allow a minimum of six to eight weeks for all eligibility information to reach the VA Regional Office. Any delays by the soldier in completing the required forms or with the unit/agency input/transmission of electronic data to the VA will delay benefits from being paid to the soldier.

Check with your unit/agency personnel to ensure your MGIB eligibility data was properly submitted or call your VA Regional Office at 1-888-442-4551 to speak with a VA representative regarding your current status.

Sample Benefits Chart
Check the VA Web site for monthly entitlements under Chapter 1606.

Soldier's Responsibilities
Be proactive in your efforts to receive your Chapter 1606 entitlement checks for education benefits in a timely manner. Nothing happens automatically. There are three critical checkpoints:

  1. Completion of the NOBE. Complete it as soon as practicable.
  2. Unit/agency electronic submission of eligibility information through command channels to the VA.
  3. Completion of all enrollment forms at school.

You can contact various personnel to assist you with completing the NOBE and submitting your eligibility information electronically. Your Unit Administrator (UA), RSC Education Services Specialist (ESS), or unit retention personnel should be able to direct your efforts. Only the Veteran's education certifying official (or an appropriate school representative) may assist and certify enrollment forms.

Unit/Agency's Responsibilities
Unit/agency personnel should be proactive in their efforts to assist soldiers with their MGIB eligibility and submission requirements. Here's a checklist to follow:

Complete NOBE forms at the earliest possible time on all unit/agency soldiers who are eligible for Chapter 1606 benefits. Complete the NOBE form regardless of whether the soldier is planning on attending school or training at that time.

  1. Submit the soldier's data in a timely manner because it is critical in getting benefit checks to soldiers.
  2. Check eligibility rosters monthly to ensure electronic submission of data (eligibility information) is being properly input and received by the VA.
  3. Be proactive in your approach to "taking care of soldiers," especially ensuring that soldiers are receiving their MGIB entitlements in a timely manner.
  4. Advertise the Unit/agency Points of Contact (POCs) prominently.
  5. Promote the display and distribution of current educational and MGIB literature so it can be readily seen throughout the unit/agency.

Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Chapter 30 Program

Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Chapter 30 Program Description
The Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (Chapter 30 of title 38, U.S. Code) is an educational assistance program enacted by Congress to attract high quality men and women into the Armed Forces. The program is administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It provides education and training opportunities to eligible persons.

Chapter 30 Eligibility
There are three categories of Chapter 30 eligibles:

  1. Conversion from Chapter 34 (Vietnam Era)
  2. Conversion from Chapter 32 (VEAP)
  3. New acquisition active military after 30 Jun 1985

This site pertains only to the new acquisition active military after 30 Jun 1985. Check the VA Web site for more detailed information regarding Chapter 34 and Chapter 32 conversion eligibles.

New Acquisition Eligibles
You decided whether to participate in Chapter 30 (for most new acquisition service members) at the time you entered into the Active Duty military. You completed a DD Form showing enrollment in the program OR your expressed wish to disenroll. There is no "window of opportunity" to reconsider your initial enrollment or declination.

The eligibility of Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) personnel for the active component MGIB Chapter 30 was not made at the start of the program. A "catch-up" enrollment has been done for eligible personnel. Initially, for AGR personnel, only USAR AGR with no previous Active Duty (except for training) were eligible. Since 29 Nov. 1989, NG AGR (Title 32) with no Active Duty could elect Chapter 30 when beginning their first long tour of duty. Title 32 NG AGR who entered between 1 Jul. 1985 and 29 Nov. 1989 are not eligible.

Costs
The cost of participation was a reduction in pay of $100 per month for 12 months. Except under extreme circumstances (death in the line of service), the $1200 is not refundable. The Chapter 30 benefit is for 36 months of full-time study. It is prorated for part-time study. There are also Army College Fund "kickers" for selected MOs fields, but these are limited to Active Duty enlistees.

Receiving Benefits
To receive Chapter 30 benefits while on active duty, you must meet a two-year time-in-service requirement. To apply for benefits, soldiers need to complete an Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990, download form in .PDF format, get viewer) (with their unit commander's signature or appropriate representative), and Enrollment Certification (VA Form 22-1999) (available only through school officials), and file their forms with their education institution. You may use Chapter 30 benefits at any education level, including graduate school. You can use the benefits for up to 10 years following your separation from active duty or until exhausted. A fully honorable discharge is the only qualifying discharge category for Chapter 30.

Sample Benefits Chart
Check the VA Web site for current monthly entitlements under Chapter 30.

Optional Increased Benefits
New legislation (Public Law 106-419) affecting participants in the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Program is in effect as of 1 May 2001. The legislation allows active duty members (including AGR) whose original federal education benefit program is the MGIB, to make an additional contribution up to a maximum of $600. For more information, view the full details of this optional MGIB benefit increase.