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Education & Employment

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30)

Up to 36 months of education payments, $2,601 a month for full-time school from October 1, 2026, for a veteran who paid $1,200 into the program during active duty.

Also called: MGIB, MGIB-AD, Chapter 30, Montgomery GI Bill, $600 buy-up.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Applies in states and territories.

The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty pays a flat monthly amount directly to the student. It does not pay the school, and there is no housing allowance; the monthly amount is the whole benefit. The common path is entry on active duty after June 30, 1985, a high school diploma or equivalent, a $100 a month pay reduction for the first 12 months, and three years of continuous service, or two years if that was the enlistment agreement. Other categories cover Vietnam-era GI Bill holders, involuntary separations and VEAP conversions. The discharge must be honorable. Full-time rates, effective October 1, 2026 Full-time: $2,601.00 a month Three-quarter time: $1,950.75 a month Half time: $1,300.50 a month A kicker or the $600 buy-up raises the amount. Benefits usually end 10 years after the last discharge. A veteran with two periods of service, one that earns MGIB and one that earns the Post-9/11 GI Bill, can use both for up to 48 months between them under the Supreme Court's Rudisill decision, and after Perkins v. Collins one long enough period can count too. VA no longer requires giving up MGIB to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill, a past election to give it up can be revoked, and the two cannot be used at the same time. A veteran who does elect the Post-9/11 GI Bill in place of MGIB does not get the $1,200 contribution back as a lump sum. Under 38 U.S.C. 3327(f) it is added to the Post-9/11 housing payments in proportion to the MGIB months left unused at the election, so all of it comes back only when none of the 36 months had been used.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30)
GateRule
Service and contributionActive duty after June 30, 1985, with the $1,200 contribution and the required service, or another listed category.

Documents the source lists

What the official source lists for an application, and where to get each document. It is a reference read from the source, not a full list of what the office may ask for; check with the office or an accredited representative before you apply. Needed means the source asks for it; Helps means the source calls it optional or says it speeds things up.

Figures

Each figure is dated with the day it was read. A local figure moves whenever the statute or the local ordinance does, so confirm it with the office that grants it before you rely on it. Statute verified gives the day the weekly section check last found the statute standing on the legislature’s own code site; a figure without it rests on a statute the check does not read yet.

Dated figures for Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30)
FigureAmountRead from
Full-time monthly rate, effective October 1, 2026$2,601.0038 U.S.C. 3015Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty ratesRead

Sources

Updated

Last updated .

What changed then:

  • First published.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.