The Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (MGIB-AD), provides up to 36 months of education and training benefits if you were honorably discharged and meet the eligibility requirements. You must have served between 2 and 4 years. The minimum amount of time you must have served depends on other factors pertaining to criteria stipulated in four different categories.  Chapter 1606 benefits are paid monthly directly to the active-duty member.

Note: You usually have 10 years to use your MGIB-AD benefits. This may change depending on your situation.

MGIB-AD Rates (Oct. 1, 2023 -Sep 30, 2024)

Once you choose an education benefit, you can’t change your mind and use a different education benefit.

If you choose to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) instead of the Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD or Chapter 30), you can’t switch at some later date to use MGIB-AD. If you decide to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, you will be refunded your part or all of the payments you made into MGIB-AD.

Chapter 1606 Kickers: An additional amount, called a kicker (“college fund”), may be added to the benefit of some Chapter 1606 students. A Chapter 1606 kicker may be a part of the original enlistment contract or part of a re-enlistment contract.

For questions regarding which educational benefits to use, call the VA at
888-4442-4551. It is open (M-F) 8:00 am -7:00 pm EST.

Tuition Assistance (TA)

Tuition Assistance (TA) is a Department of Defense (DoD) program. VA does not administer TA. TA rules vary by branch of service and can even vary between components within the branches depending on whether the Service member is Active duty, Reserve, or National Guard. 

If a student receives education benefits from VA and receives TA benefits from the military, duplication of benefits may be an issue. The issue might involve VA regulations, DoD regulations, military branch specific regulations or all three since VA, DoD, and the military branches all have regulations about receiving VA benefits and TA at the same time. It is the student’s responsibility to speak with their case manager, and/or the VA, as necessary, to resolve such matters. Click on the link provided for more information and full eligibility requirements.

Tutorial Assistance

Tutorial Assistance may be paid to students under Chapters 30, 33, 35 and 1606.

This helps the student pay for necessary tutoring that is a supplement to the student’s regular education benefit.

The VA may pay tutorial assistance to a student receiving education benefits.

The monthly rate may not exceed the cost of tutoring or $100. The maximum amount payable is $1,200 per student per benefit program. If you’re using the Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB), you can get up to $600 before we charge your benefits. There is no entitlement charge under Chapter 33 or 35. 

The student, tutor, and certifying official must complete an Application and Enrollment Certification for Individualized Tutorial Assistance (VA Form 22-1990t).

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Find more information about Education Benefits Offered by VA at the official U.S. government website.