The Montgomery GI Bill Makes College Affordable

The MGIB Benefit Can Save You Big on College Costs!

Whatever your branch or status, the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is the bread and butter of your military education benefits. Eligible active-duty and veteran military personnel ready to earn their college degrees or certificates can earn thousands of tax-free dollars for school costs, including tuition, books, fees and even living expenses.

Unlike the military TA program, your Montgomery GI Bill benefits never expire, so most education advisors recommend using your TA benefits first. Those who serve in the reserves may be eligible for the Reserve GI Bill, which has its own criteria.

Do You Qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill?

All branches of the military participate in the MGIB program, and the eligibility criteria are the same for all. In order to qualify for this education benefit, you must have:

• Completed high school or an equivalency certificate
• Served at least two years on active-duty
• Been honorably discharged (veterans only)

There are three additional categories of MGIB eligibility criteria you must meet, depending on when you enlisted.

MGIB Eligibility Category I

If you entered active-duty after June 30, 1985, you must have:

• Contributed $100 each month from your military pay to the GI Bill during the first 12 months of your service
• Served continuously for three years, though those who served for two years will still qualify so long as that was their enlistment agreement or they entered Selected Reserve within year of leaving active duty, serving 4 years (called the "2by 4 program").

MGIB Eligibility Category II

If you entered active-duty before January 1, 1977, you must have:

• Served at least one day between October 19, 1984 and June 30, 1985, and stayed on active duty through June 30, 1988.
• Had entitlement left from the Vietnam Era GI Bill on December 31, 1989.

MGIB Eligibility Category III

Those who do not qualify under Category I and II must have:

• Served active-duty on September 30,1990, and: separated involuntarily after February 2,1991; involuntarily separated on or after November 30, 1993; or voluntarily separated under the Voluntary Separation Incentive or Special Separation Benefit Program.
• Contributed $1200 of military pay to the program before separation

MGIB Eligibility Category IV

All other servicemembers must have:

• Served active duty on October 9, 1996, had money remaining in a Veterans Education Assistance Program account on that date, and elected the GI Bill by October 9, 1997
• Entered Full-Time National Guard duty under Title 32, U.S.C., between July 1, 1985, and November 28, 1989, and elected the GI Bill during between October 9, 1996, and July 8, 1997.
• Had military pay reduced by $100 each month for 12 monhs, or made a lump sup contribution of $1200.