ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp

Jump to main content

Montgomery GI Bill®

The Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (MGIB-AD) is the "old" GI Bill® that was offered before the Post 9/11 GI Bill® was created. It provides a flat monthly payment (instead of a percentage) of up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans. Eligible members may wish to transfer their MGIB-AD to the Post 9/11.  They must meet the criteria for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® and apply at . Students can only transfer once.

Two students sitting in the living room of Roudebush cottage

Eligibility

If the service member is currently on active duty, they may be eligible after two years of active duty service. If they are separated from service, they may be eligible under one of the following categories:

  • Category I(After 1985)
    • 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 a 2 year contract
    • 2 years if service member entered the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty and served 4 years ("2 by 4" Program)
  • Category II(Before 1977)
    • Entered active duty before January 1, 1977
    • Served at least 1 day between 10/19/84 and 6/30/85 and stayed on active duty through 6/30/88 (or 6/30/87 if service member entered the Selected Reserve within 1 year of leaving active duty and served 4 years)
    • On 12/31/89, service member had entitlement left from Vietnam-Era GI Bill®
  • Category III(1990-93)
    • Not eligible for MGIB under Category I or II
    • On active duty on 9/30/90 AND separated involuntarily after 2/2/91
    • Or involuntarily separated on or after 11/30/93
    • Or voluntarily separated under either the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) or Special Separation Benefit (SSB) program
    • Before separation you had military pay reduced by $1200
  • Category IV(1996-97)
    • On active duty on 10/9/96 and had money remaining in a VEAP account on that date AND elected MGIB by 10/9/97
    • Or entered full-time National Guard duty under title 32, USC, between 7/1/85 and 11/28/89 AND elected MGIB during the period 10/9/96 through 7/8/97
    • Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for 12 months or made a $1200 lump-sum contribution during time in service
    • Entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985
    • Received a high school diploma or equivalent or, in some cases, have accrued 12 hours of college credit before the end of the first obligated period of service
    • Received an honorable discharge
    • Continuously served for 3 years or 2 years if contract obligation was met, or 2 years if an obligation to serve four years in the Selected Reserve AND entered Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at