The MGIB program—sometimes known as Chapter 30—provides education benefits to Veterans and Service members who have at least two years of active duty.
Type of Assistance
Assistance may be used for college degree and certificate programs, technical or vocational courses, flight training, apprenticeships or on-the-job training, high-tech training, licensing and certification tests, entrepreneurship training, certain entrance examinations, and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Benefits are generally payable for 10 years following your release from honorable active service.
Available Benefits and Eligibility
Eligible Service members may receive up to 36 months of education benefits. The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the type of training you take, length of your service, your category, any college fund eligibility, and if you contributed to the $600 buy-up program. You usually have 10 years to use your MGIB benefits, but the time limit can be fewer or more years depending on the situation.
$600 Buy-Up Program. Some Service members may contribute up to an additional $600 to the GI Bill® to receive increased monthly benefits. For an additional $600 contribution, you may receive up to $5,400 in additional GI Bill® benefits. The additional contribution must be made while on active duty. View increased monthly rates and contact your personnel or payroll office.
Eligibility
You may be an eligible 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:
CATEGORY I
- 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 three years or two years, if that is what you first enlisted for or if you entered the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty and served four years (the 2 by 4 program)
CATEGORY II
- Entered active duty before January 1, 1977
- Served at least one day between 10/19/84 and 6/30/85, and stayed on active duty through 6/30/88, (or through 6/30/87 if you entered the Selected Reserve within one year of leaving active duty and served four years)
- On 12/31/89, you had entitlement left from Vietnam-era GI Bill®
CATEGORY III
- 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 $1,200
CATEGORY IV
- On active duty on 10/9/96 AND you had money remaining in a VEAP account on that date AND you elected MGIB by 10/9/97
- OR you entered full-time National Guard duty under title 32, USC, between 7/1/85, and 11/28/89, AND you elected MGIB during the period 10/9/9607/08/97
- Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for 12 months or made a $1,200 lump-sum contribution
Apply
Apply now by filling out VA Form 22-1990 (Application for Education Benefits) or electronically at eBenefits.va.gov
Checklist of Paperwork Required for Lamar University's Veterans Affairs Office:
- DD-214 (Member-4 copy)
- VA Certificate of Eligibility
- Military Transcripts (Not required for dependents)
- Certification Request Form
If transferring from another school:
- Request for Change of Place of Training (VA form 22-1995)
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. governemt website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.