The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is one of the most valuable benefits available to military members and veterans. In many cases, it is worth tens of thousands of dollars in education benefits. If you want to know how much you can earn in MGIB benefits, then check out these GI Bill Rates tables to find the corresponding monthly payments based on your GI Bill program and the educational program you are attending.
About these GI Bill rates: Each year the VA reassesses the cost of tuition and updates the benefits paid to GI Bill recipients. In most cases, the value of the Montgomery GI Bill increases each year based on the Consumer Price Index. We update this information each year to reflect the new GI Bill rates and present the most accurate information we can.
That said, each situation is unique, and this chart should only be used as a reference. You should contact the VA and your educational institution to determine your eligibility and the status of your benefits. Remember – Montgomery GI Bill benefits expire 10 years after your last separation from active duty, so be sure to use them before they do!
Montgomery GI Bill Benefits
The Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty military members (MGIB-AD/Chapter 30) is probably the most common GI Bill plan, and those are the rates covered in this article. The MGIB is the GI Bill plan military members were given the opportunity to buy into for $1,200 during basic training.
There is another GI Bill plan, the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which is available to military members who served after September 11, 2001. The Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits are paid directly to the school or educational institution (more info below).
The MGIB can be used while the member is on active duty or after they separate. However, it is generally better to use Tuition Assistance benefits while serving on active duty, and saving your GI Bill until after you leave military service. The MGIB expires 10 years after the member separates from military service.
Montgomery GI Bill Monthly Rates – 2019-2020
The Montgomery GI Bill offers eligible recipients a monthly stipend while they are attending classes at a qualified training institution. The checks are sent on a monthly basis and are made payable to the student. Payments to trainees on active duty status are limited to the reimbursement of tuition and fees. If the trainee uses military tuition assistance, the payments are limited to the difference between the tuition assistance and the remaining tuition and fees.
The following payment rates for the Montgomery GI Bill are good for the Fiscal Year 2020, or from October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2020:
Montgomery GI Bill Institutional Training Rates
MGIB Institutional Training Rates (3 or More Years of Service)
| Institutional Training Time | Monthly GI Bill Rate |
|---|---|
| Full Time | $2,050.00 |
| ¾ Time | $1,537.50 |
| ½ Time | $1,025.00 |
| Less than ½ time more than ¼ time | $1,025.00** |
| ¼ Time or less | $512.50** |
MGIB Institutional Training Rates (Less Than 3 Years of Service)
Rates are given for servicemembers who served 3 years or more on Active Duty. If you served fewer than 3 years:
| Institutional Training Time (Less than 3 Years) | Monthly GI Bill Rate |
|---|---|
| Full Time | $1,664.00 |
| ¾ Time | $1,248.00 |
| ½ Time | $832.00 |
| Less than ½ time more than ¼ time | $832.00** |
| ¼ Time or less | $416.00** |
MGIB Apprenticeship and On-the-Job-Training Rates
MGIB Rates for Apprenticeships & OJT (3 or More years of Service)
The MGIB can also be used for apprenticeships and On-Job Training. The following rates cover these types of training:
| Apprenticeship and On-Job Training | Monthly GI Bill Rate |
|---|---|
| First six months of training | $1,537.50 |
| Second six months of training | $1,127.50 |
| Remaining pursuit of training | $717.50 |
MGIB Rates for Apprenticeships & OJT (Less Than 3 Years of Service)
| Apprenticeship and On-Job Training (Less than 3 Years) | Monthly GI Bill Rate |
|---|---|
| First six months of training | $1,248.00 |
| Second six months of training | $915.20 |
| Remaining pursuit of training | $582.40 |
Additional notes about these MGIB Rates:
- Correspondence and Flight – charged at the rate of one month for each $2,050.00 paid.Cooperative – $2,050.00
- ** Tuition and Fees only. Payment cannot exceed listed amount.
Entitlement Under Chapter 34 of Title 38, U.S.C. Chapter 30 Category II
Some veterans may be eligible for GI Bill benefits under a different category or program. The VA has a Chapter 30 Eligibility pamphlet which explains more information on this topic.
Basic Institutional Rates for persons with remaining entitlement under Chapter 34 of Title 38, U.S.C. Chapter 30 Category II rates effective October 1, 2017.
Institutional Training
| Training period | Monthly Rate | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Dependents | One Dependent | Two Dependents | Each additional dependent | |
| Full time | $2,238.00 | $2,274.00 | $2,305.00 | $16.00 |
| ¾ time | $1,679.00 | $1,705.50 | $1,729.00 | $12.00 |
| ½ time | $1,119.00 | $1,137.00 | $1,152.50 | $8.50 |
| less than ½ time more than ¼ time | $1,119.00** | |||
| ¼ time or less | $559.50** | |||
Apprenticeships & OJT
| Training period | Monthly Rate | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Dependents | One Dependent | Two Dependents | Each additional dependent | |
| First six months of training | $1,640.25 | $1,652.63 | $1,663.50 | $5.25 |
| Second six months of training | $1,183.88 | $1,193.23 | $1,200.93 | $3.85 |
| Third six months of training | $741.30 | $747.43 | $752.15 | $2.45 |
| Remainder of program | $729.40 | $735.18 | $740.43 | $2.45 |
Cooperative Training
| Training period | Monthly Rate | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Dependents | One Dependent | Two Dependents | Each additional dependent | |
| Oct. 1, 2019 - Sept. 30, 2020 | $2,238.00 | $2,274.00 | $2,305.00 | $16.00 |
- Correspondence – 55% of the approved charges
- Flight – 60% of the approved charges
Montgomery GI Bill Kicker – Add up to $600 Per Month to Your GI Bill Payment
The Montgomery GI Bill and Reserve Educational Assistance Program both have a program which allows members to “top up” their GI Bill by buying additional benefits. Also called the GI Bill Kicker, this plan allows members to buy additional benefits in $20 increments, up to a total of $600. MGIB and REAP recipients will then receive an additional stipend on their monthly GI Bill payment, valued at 1/4 the amount they paid into the buy-up program for full-time attendance (rates vary based on full-time or partial-time attendance).
MGIB Kicker Rate Chart
| If this amount paid | Add this amount to Full Time payment | Add this amount to ¾ time payment | Add this amount to ½ time payment | Add this amount to less than ½ time but more than ¼ time payment | Add this amount to ¼ time payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $5.00 | $3.75 | $2.50 | $2.50 | $1.25 |
| $40 | $10.00 | $7.50 | $5.00 | $5.00 | $2.50 |
| $60 | $15.00 | $11.25 | $7.50 | $7.50 | $3.75 |
| $80 | $20.00 | $15.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 | $5.00 |
| $100 | $25.00 | $18.75 | $12.50 | $12.50 | $6.25 |
| $120 | $30.00 | $22.50 | $15.00 | $15.00 | $7.50 |
| $140 | $35.00 | $26.25 | $17.50 | $17.50 | $8.75 |
| $160 | $40.00 | $30.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 | $10.00 |
| $180 | $45.00 | $33.75 | $22.50 | $22.50 | $11.25 |
| $200 | $50.00 | $37.50 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $12.50 |
| $220 | $55.00 | $41.25 | $27.50 | $27.50 | $13.75 |
| $240 | $60.00 | $45.00 | $30.00 | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| $260 | $65.00 | $48.75 | $32.50 | $32.50 | $16.25 |
| $280 | $70.00 | $52.50 | $35.00 | $35.00 | $17.50 |
| $300 | $75.00 | $56.25 | $37.50 | $37.50 | $18.75 |
| $320 | $80.00 | $60.00 | $40.00 | $40.00 | $20.00 |
| $340 | $85.00 | $63.75 | $42.50 | $42.50 | $21.25 |
| $360 | $90.00 | $67.50 | $45.00 | $45.00 | $22.50 |
| $380 | $95.00 | $71.25 | $47.50 | $47.50 | $23.75 |
| $400 | $100.00 | $75.00 | $50.00 | $50.00 | $25.00 |
| $420 | $105.00 | $78.75 | $52.50 | $52.50 | $26.25 |
| $440 | $110.00 | $82.50 | $55.00 | $55.00 | $27.50 |
| $460 | $115.00 | $86.25 | $57.50 | $57.50 | $28.75 |
| $480 | $120.00 | $90.00 | $60.00 | $60.00 | $30.00 |
| $500 | $125.00 | $93.75 | $62.50 | $62.50 | $31.25 |
| $520 | $130.00 | $97.50 | $65.00 | $65.00 | $32.50 |
| $540 | $135.00 | $101.25 | $67.50 | $67.50 | $33.75 |
| $560 | $140.00 | $105.00 | $70.00 | $70.00 | $35.00 |
| $580 | $145.00 | $108.75 | $72.50 | $72.50 | $36.25 |
| $600 | $150.00 | $112.50 | $75.00 | $75.00 | $37.50 |
How Does the VA Charge Your Training Against Your GI Bill Benefits?
The VA will charge you one full day of entitlement for each day of full-time benefits you receive. Entitlement is charged in months and days. Each month is counted as 30 days. If you train part-time, the VA will adjust the entitlement charge according to your training time.
For example, if you receive full-time benefits for 12 months, the charge is 12 months of entitlement. If you receive half-time benefits for 12 months, the charge is six months.
For correspondence, flight training, accelerated payments for high-cost, high technology courses, and a test for a license or certification, we determine the entitlement by dividing the amount you were paid by your MGIB monthly rate for full-time training.
Montgomery GI Bill for Reserves
The above listed rates are for members of the Active Duty Montgomery GI Bill program (Chapter 30). There are other MGIB programs available to military members, including the Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR/Chapter 1606) and the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP/Chapter 1607). You can find the current rates for these programs at the VA website.
Post 9/11 GI Bill Rates
The Post 9/11 GI Bill makes tuition payments directly to the educational institution. Benefits can be used at a variety of higher learning institutions, but rates are capped at the rates of the most expensive state Institution of Higher Learning (IHL). Click to see current rates. Recipients may be eligible to receive BAH benefits based on the rates of an E-5 with dependents, a book stipend, and more. BAH rates are based on the zip code of the school the recipient is attending.
Related information:
GI Bill Refunds:
- It is possible to get a Montgomery GI Bill refund under limited circumstances.
Transfer GI Bill Benefits:
- It is also possible to transfer the Post-9/11 GI Bill to family members. You must be enrolled in the Post-9/11 GI Bill and agree to extend your service in the military.
- This option is only available for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and is not available for the Montgomery GI Bill.
- You cannot transfer GI Bill benefits once you separate or retire from the military.
Use your GI Bill Benefits!
GI Bill benefits don’t last forever. Your MGIB benefits expire 10 years after your last separation from Active Duty status. Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits are good for 15 years after you separate. Contact the VA to start using your GI Bill benefits before they expire!
Hi Ryan, I am currently dealing with VA trying to prove I bought the MGIB Buy-up program you mention in this article. I want to clarify the terminology that one knowledgeable VA Rep corrected me on… The “kicker” is/was a recruiting benefit… which is not the same as the MGIB “buy-up” (of up to $600 in $20 increments). I make the point, because I’ve had a h311 of a time hunting down the information trying to prove my payment. Searching for the “kicker” led me down some rabbit holes. The different services, it seems, have different terms too. I also used “top-up” in the past while on AD to cover the last 25% of tuition that Tuition Assistance did not cover. It’s also difficult to find info, since most vets are using Post 9/11 benies. There are a few of us where MGIB still makes sense. I am attending school… Read more »
Hi- I am a traditional reservist & am 5 years into my 6 year contract (I’ll probably reenlist next year). I have never deployed, I have never been active duty, & never spent more than 62 days on active duty orders outside of BMT & Tech School. I paid for & obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology myself years prior to ever enlisting in the military. 12 years after obtaining my garbage BS degree & not finding the career I was hoping for, I wanted to go back to school for a Bachelor’s in nursing. This is my fault for not understanding, but, I just found out that I basically have NO educational benefits because I have never served 90 consecutive days on AD orders. In other words, even though I 100% bought for & paid for my BS degree, I cannot use any military education benefits towards a bachelors.… Read more »
Hello! I have a 2 part question for you.
1. When and how can I apply for the “Top Up” program for my Montgomery GI Bill? I am currently active duty with just a few more months left on contract.
2. If I attend a school in a state that covers veterans tuition costs, can I still withdraw my GI Bill monthly to cover other expenses?
Thank you!
hello I been looking an I am confused. I am active duty and have 4 more years in my contract, can I transfer my Montgomery GI Bill to my wife?
My daughter is questioning if she chooses MGIB 1st can she still transfer to Post 9-11 once she exhaust all the be MGIB benefits? She sais she can pick only one : MGIB or Post 9-11
She is in base training as we speak( Air Force)
I currently have the MGIB and have just 22 days left. I was informed that I am eligible for the post 9-11 GI bill and could apply, possibly getting an additional 12 months of GI bill benefits. The kicker is….I was told I have to completely exhaust my MGIB otherwise when I request a transfer of benefits I would only get 22 days of post 9-11 vs. an entire 12 months. Do you know if this information is correct???
I am currently active duty. I am attending online school for my BSA part-time. Can I use my Tuitiin Assistance and the Montgomery GI at the same time to pay for my classes? The Tuition Assistance only pays tuition and not school materials. Can the GI cover the difference?
If you use the MGIB and go full time is states as of 2017 you will get $1875 per month paid to you. Is this a check to pay for the classes you will be taking? Also, would you still get the BAH pay if you were to use the MGIB or is that just for the Post 9/11.
Well done informative site Ryan. Can you provide good link for high school students (and this parent) who want to look at potential military educational benefits?
Been along time since my VEAP days…
My wife has post 911Gi Benefits and is wanting to return to school. Her benefits are due to expire in 2017. Will they extend her benefits to cover her education if she is enrolled full time? She is about to start just started the process and discovered that she was eligible,,,, until July of this year.
If I gave all of my Post 9/11 GI Bill to my daughter, and she has not used it yet, but I’ve already transferred it to her and was out of the military and unemployed. Could I get the VRAP/VOW to HIRE heroes act MGIB? I’m over 35 and trying to go to school on financial aid and staying with my parents.
The GI Bill was one of the best ideas to come out of the Federal Government and this is a very good breakdown of information useful to vets. Keep an eye out for degrees that are high quality and low cost. For example, another finance blog broke down the value for an online Master’s Degree program in Computer Science from Georgia Tech and found out it was only $7,000 for the whole school. Use the money you get from the government wisely and you can make very smart financial decisions without paying a high cost.
Hi I’m using my gi bill the Montgomery bill do they give me allowance every month ? I start school aug. 22 and they only give me 456 for my allowance since then they haven’t give me allowance upto now
So when i read the pay chart for MGIB CH 30 I do not see online school payout it it because its the same payout if I went into a normal college
I used my post 9/11 GI bill to get a BS from a state school. I am now in a private school getting my Masters in Public Health. I have 7 months left of eligibility but the IHL cap will run out in two months. Am I still able to receive housing benefits for the remaining 5 months of my eligibility after the IHL cap has been met?
When I transfer my benefits to my spouse will he will have two years left of school. He has a lot of student loans so will the GI Bill cover a certain amount of his student loans or will it only cover the year and a half of school he has left?
what will chapter 30 monthly payments go up to for 2015 fiscal year?
Yes, I have been in for 6 years. I will contact them. Thank you.
I am taking distance learning classes worth 12 credits total and I am only getting a little over $1000. Is this correct?
Can I use the MGIB for a graduate program with an online school. Full time is 1 class? Thanks
I’m a current student finishing up my bachelors, I was wondering would my post 911 Gi bill cover the process through my Masters as well.
I am a veteran and have been a member of the NC National Guard for 12 yrs. My ETS is January 2013 i was wondering if I would still be eligible for Montgomery GI benefits after I get out.
Im almost done with my master’s degree and I have been using TA for that.I ETS by the end of this month. I have 4 more classes left and my intention is to finish them by using GI Bill. I have MGIBill in my contract. When I finish my masters can I use the remaining of GI Bill for another master degree or a Ph D ?
Also If I switch from M-GiBIll to Post 9/11, is the $1200 that I paid for MgiBill going to be reimbursed?
I served active duty from 2 June 1983 to 1 August 2008.,
I would like to transfer my educational benefits to my daughter.
I payed in on Montgomtry GI program. I retired before Post 9/11 bill became offical.
How can I transfer MGI to my daughter?
I am a recently separated veteran. In our ACAP classes I was told I would get around 1470 monthly for full time student rate on the M.GIBILL;
I received a statement from the VA that I’ll be getting $849.06, – Training time: Full.
I’m confused; Why is there such a drastic difference? — After reading a little bit, it seems rates can be affected by online courses.
I’m a full time online student. Is the rate of $849.06 correct? If not, what do I do? If so, what can I do to make it a full time rate, full amount MHA of $1470?
You should get the full 1473 if your full time correct? Regardless if I start school on a monthly basis from the 5th to the 30th , i am full time and received a prorated amount of 1080 only because it wasn’t a full 30 days. Even though I am full time. Is that right?
I graduate in May of 2013, I wanted to know could I still use the post 9/11 G.I. bill to get my Masters degree?
I retired honorably September 2009 after 20yrs. After I retired, I found out that I could only transfer my Post 9/11 GI benifits while on active duty. Since then I have read several articles of others that are in the same situation as I am. Every response is the same regarding whether or not if there is anything that can be done to correct this injust. I have always intended to transfer my benifits to my stepson. At no point during my separation was I ever informed that I needed to transfer my benifits before I officially retired. So, I missed out on this valuable benifit by sixty days of this enactment. Ryan, is there anything that I can do to correct my service record so that I can transfer this benifit?
Thank you,
Scott
I just recently started school and was wondering if I qualified for the Stipend. My husband is active duty but I am not for sure if I do qualify and if so how do I go about getting the money.
I am a vet that would like to go back to school. I was in the Marine Corp from 1976-1984. Can I still get military benefits to go back to school and could I take online class?
Jerry C Smith