Aid for Veterans Who Have Completed Active Duty

The Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB-Chapter 30) provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans for:

• College, business, technical or vocational school
• On-the-job training and apprenticeship programs
• Remedial, deficiency, and refresher training (in some cases)
• The cost of tests for licenses or certifications needed to get, keep, or advance in a job
• Correspondence courses
• Flight training (in some cases)

Each individual state approves schools and courses. To find out if your school or program is approved for educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, contact your school's Veterans Affairs Certifying Official or view a list of approved schools provided by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs State Approving Agency.

Who Is Eligible?

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
• 2 years if you entered the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty and served 4 years ("2 by 4" Program)

CATEGORY II

• Entered active duty before January 1, 1977
• Served at least 1 day between October 19, 1984 and June 30, 1985, and stayed on active duty through June 30, 1988, (or June 30, 1987 if you entered the Selected Reserve within 1 year of leaving active duty and served 4 years)
• On December 31, 1989, you had entitlement left from Vietnam-Era GI Bill

CATEGORY III

• Not eligible for MGIB under Category I or II
• On active duty on September 30, 1990 AND separated involuntarily after February 2, 1991,
• OR involuntarily separated on or after November 30, 1993
• 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 October 9, 1996 AND you had money remaining in a VEAP account on that date AND you elected MGIB by October 9, 1997
• OR entered full-time National Guard duty under title 32, USC, between July 1, 1985, and November 28, 1989 AND you elected MGIB during the period October 9, 1996, through July 8, 1997
• Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for 12 months or made a $1,200 lump-sum contributio

How Much Money Can You Get?

The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the type of training you take, length of your service, your category, and if DOD put extra money in your MGIB Fund (called "kickers"). You usually have 10 years to use your MGIB benefits, but the time limit can be less, in some cases, and longer under certain circumstances. View current payment rates.

For additional information:

• Contact the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs at www.gibill.va.gov or 1-888-GI-BILL-1
• Your County Veterans Service Officer located in the county in which you live
• The Minnesota Higher Education Veterans Program Regional Coordinator for the school you are attending or plan to attend (view contact list)
• www.mymilitaryeducation.org