Montgomery GI Bill Education Benefits
Offered by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
About this scholarship
The Montgomery GI Bill is a federal education benefit—not a privately funded scholarship—for qualifying service members and Veterans. It includes Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30) and Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606). The benefit can provide up to 36 months of payments for VA-approved college degrees and many other education or training routes, including non-college degree programs, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, licensing or certification tests, and, in some cases, flight or correspondence training. Payment is not a universal $5,400 award: VA calculates the applicable monthly rate from factors such as the applicant’s service, benefit chapter, program type, enrollment intensity, and training progress. MGIB-AD generally serves honorably discharged applicants with qualifying active-duty service who meet the program’s education and enrollment conditions. MGIB-SR serves qualifying Selected Reserve and National Guard members who meet service-obligation, initial-training, education, and good-standing rules. Applicants use VA Form 22-1990 through the direct official online application. VA says the form generally takes about 15 minutes and asks for military-service history, current contact details, and direct-deposit information. The agency makes the final eligibility decision and issues a Certificate of Eligibility or denial letter; applicants should also confirm that their intended school or training program is VA approved.
Eligibility
- Qualify for Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30) or Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606) under VA rules
- For MGIB-AD, generally have at least 2 years of active-duty service, an honorable discharge, and a high-school diploma, GED, or 12 college credits
- For MGIB-AD, not have declined MGIB enrollment when beginning active duty and meet the remaining VA service-category requirements
- For MGIB-SR, have a qualifying 6-year Selected Reserve obligation or qualifying officer commitment
- For MGIB-SR, complete initial active duty for training and obtain a high-school diploma or equivalent before finishing that training
- For MGIB-SR, remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit, subject to VA exceptions
- Choose a school, degree, apprenticeship, job-training, licensing, certification, or other program approved for VA education benefits
- Submit VA Form 22-1990 with military-service history, current contact information, and direct-deposit details