2023 – 2024 Montgomery GI Bill Rates – How Much Is Your MGIB Benefit Worth?

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is one of the most valuable benefits available to military members and veterans. It is often worth thousands of dollars in education benefits. To find out how much you can receive in monthly MGIB benefits, find the GI Bill rate table below that corresponds with your GI Bill program and…
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Montgomery GI Bill rates

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is one of the most valuable benefits available to military members and veterans. It is often worth thousands of dollars in education benefits. To find out how much you can receive in monthly MGIB benefits, find the GI Bill rate table below that corresponds with your GI Bill program and the educational program you are attending.

The Department of Veterans Affairs reassesses the cost of tuition annually and updates the benefits GI Bill recipients receive. MGIB payments increase each year based on the consumer price index.

Each situation is unique, and these charts should only be used for reference. Contact the VA and your educational institution to determine your eligibility and the status of your benefits.

Table of Contents
  1. Montgomery GI Bill Benefits
  2. Montgomery GI Bill Monthly Rates: 2023-2024
  3. Montgomery GI Bill Training Rates (Three or More Years of Service)
    1. MGIB Institutional Training Rates
    2. MGIB Rates for Apprenticeships and OJT 
  4. Montgomery GI Bill Training Rates (Fewer Than Three Years of Service)
    1. MGIB Institutional Training Rates
    2. MGIB Rates for Apprenticeships and OJT
  5. Montgomery GI Buy-Up Program: Add Up to $150 Per Month to Your GI Bill Payment
    1. MGIB Buy-up Rate Chart
  6. How Does the VA Charge Your Training Against Your GI Bill Benefits?
  7. Montgomery GI Bill for Reserves
  8. Post-9/11 GI Bill Rates
  9. GI Bill Refunds
  10. Transfer GI Bill Benefits
  11. Use Your GI Bill Benefits

Montgomery GI Bill Benefits

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB-AD/Chapter 30) is one of several GI Bill programs that members of the U.S. military may be eligible for. Other programs include the Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) and Post-9/11 GI Bill. We provide an overview of those programs, but we’ll focus on the MGIB.

Active-duty military members who bought into the MGIB are eligible for education benefits once they complete a minimum service obligation. You can use your MGIB benefits while you are on active duty or after you separate. However, if you are still on active duty, using tuition assistance benefits may be a better option, and you can save your GI Bill until after you leave military service.

Montgomery GI Bill Monthly Rates: 2023-2024

Eligible Montgomery GI Bill recipients receive monthly stipends while they are attending classes at a qualified training institution. The checks are payable to the student and not to the school. If you are using corporate education benefits to pay for your tuition, you may be able to save your MGIB payments or use them for other expenses.

Students who are on active-duty status will only be reimbursed for the actual costs of tuition and fees, according to the VA. Service members using military tuition assistance will receive MGIB payments only for the difference between the tuition assistance and the remaining tuition and fees.

The following payment rates for the Montgomery GI Bill are effective for fiscal year 2023, or from Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2024.

Montgomery GI Bill Training Rates (Three or More Years of Service)

MGIB Institutional Training Rates

These are the MGIB rates for service members who served three years or more on active duty, according to the VA.

Institutional Training TimeMonthly GI Bill Rate
Full time$2,358
¾ time$1,768.50
½ time$1,179
Less than ½ time more than ¼ time$1,179**
¼ time or less$589.50**

** Tuition and fees only. Payment cannot exceed the listed amount.

MGIB Rates for Apprenticeships and OJT 

You can also use the MGIB for apprenticeships and on-the-job training. The following rates cover these types of training for veterans with three or more years of service.

Apprenticeship and on-the-Job TrainingMonthly GI Bill Rate
First six months of training$1,768.50
Second six months of training$1,296.90
Remaining pursuit of training$825.30

Additional Notes About These MGIB Rates:

  • Correspondence programs – 55% of the approved charges
  • Flight school – 60% of the approved charges

Montgomery GI Bill Training Rates (Fewer Than Three Years of Service)

MGIB Institutional Training Rates

If you served fewer than three years, these MGIB rates apply:

Institutional Training TimeMonthly GI Bill Rate
Full Time$1,913
¾ Time$1,434.75
½ Time$956.50
Less than ½ time, more than ¼ time$956.50**
¼ time or less$478.25**

** Tuition and fees only. Payment cannot exceed the listed amount.

MGIB Rates for Apprenticeships and OJT

If you served fewer than three years, these MGIB rates apply:

Apprenticeship and On-Job Training Monthly GI Bill Rate
First six months of training$1,434.75
Second six months of training$1,052.15
Remaining pursuit of training$669.55

Additional Notes About These MGIB Rates

  • Correspondence programs – 55% of the approved charges
  • Flight school – 60% of the approved charges

Montgomery GI Buy-Up Program: Add Up to $150 Per Month to Your GI Bill Payment

The Montgomery GI Bill buy-up program allows members to “top up” their GI Bill by buying additional benefits in $20 increments, up to a total of $600. MGIB recipients then receive an additional stipend on their monthly GI Bill payment, valued at one-quarter of the amount they paid into the buy-up program for full-time attendance. Part-time students receive prorated rates.

MGIB Buy-up Rate Chart

The table below lists how much your monthly MGIB payments will increase if you participated in the buy-up program, according to the VA.

If this amount paidAdd this amount to Full Time paymentAdd this amount to ¾ time paymentAdd this amount to ½ time paymentAdd this amount to less than ½ time but more than ¼ time paymentAdd this amount to ¼ time payment
$20$5$3.75$2.50$2.50$1.25
$40$10$7.50$5$5$2.50
$60$15$11.25$7.50$7.50$3.75
$80$20$15$10$10$5
$100$25$18.75$12.50$12.50$6.25
$120$30$22.50$15$15$7.50
$140$35$26.25$17.50$17.50$8.75
$160$40$30$20$20$10
$180$45$33.75$22.50$22.50$11.25
$200$50$37.50$25$25$12.50
$220$55$41.25$27.50$27.50$13.75
$240$60$45$30$30$15
$260$65$48.75$32.50$32.50$16.25
$280$70$52.50$35$35$17.50
$300$75$56.25$37.50$37.50$18.75
$320$80$60$40$40$20
$340$85$63.75$42.50$42.50$21.25
$360$90$67.50$45$45$22.50
$380$95$71.25$47.50$47.50$23.75
$400$100$75$50$50$25
$420$105$78.75$52.50$52.50$26.25
$440$110$82.50$55$55$27.50
$460$115$86.25$57.50$57.50$28.75
$480$120$90$60$60$30
$500$125$93.75$62.50$62.50$31.25
$520$130$97.50$65$65$32.50
$540$135$101.25$67.50$67.50$33.75
$560$140$105$70$70$35
$580$145$108.75$72.50$72.50$36.25
$600$150$112.50$75$75$37.50

How Does the VA Charge Your Training Against Your GI Bill Benefits?

The VA calculates entitlement in days and months – each month is counted as 30 days – and charges you one full day of entitlement for each day of full-time benefits you receive. 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 tests for licenses or certifications, determine the entitlement charge by dividing the amount you received 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). You can find the current rates for the Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR/Chapter 1606) on the VA website.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Rates

Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits cover tuition and fees for in-state students at public institutions of higher learning. Non-resident students who pay higher fees may be eligible for benefits under the Yellow Ribbon program. Students can attend private or foreign schools; however, a tuition cap applies. The VA makes tuition payments directly to the educational institution. Recipients may also be eligible to receive a monthly housing allowance based on the basic allowance for housing rates of an E-5 with dependents, a book stipend and more. The ZIP code of the school the recipient is attending determines the MHA rate.

GI Bill Refunds

You may qualify to get a Montgomery GI Bill refund in limited circumstances. You must be eligible for both the MGIB and the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and you must exhaust your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits first.

Transfer GI Bill Benefits

Service members who qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill may be eligible to transfer their benefits to family members. You must 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

Some GI Bill benefits last forever, but only if you qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and were discharged on or after Jan. 1, 2013. MGIB benefits expire 10 years after your last separation from active-duty status. If you were discharged before Jan. 1, 2013, your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are good for 15 years after you separate.

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  1. Megan Wallace says

    I am Active Duty military and I was wondering when do you get the money for the Montgomery GI Bill, I have received the letters in the mail stating the amount that I will receive for the month but I am about a month into class and haven’t relieved the money for the class.

  2. Brandi says

    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 in Texas, which has the Hazelwood Act and covers tuition a large but limited amount of credit hours.

    Advice for anyone looking at education benies before leaving Active Duty… ensure proof of this entitlement… ie. payment explicitly for MGIB Buy-up program.

    The problem I’m having with VA is proof that I paid the buy up program never made it from DoD side to VA, so I have to prove a payment made 17 years ago, when it was very new. Luckily, I did find the DD form 2366, however, LES from that payment says “misc debt,” not something more helpful like “MGIB Buy-up.”

    Otherwise, thanks for this helpful and very explanatory post!

  3. Ashley says

    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. I understand I can use TA for a Master’s, but, why would I want to further my education in a crappy career field?

    I’m trying to research the GI Bill Selected Reserves, which I think I will be eligible for at my 6 year mark, but the monetary benefits are peanuts to what it will cost to go to school at a university. Any suggestions or something else I should look into. (It will be unlikely that I will be going in any long-term Active Duty orders anytime soon as I am currently pregnant.)

    Thanks for your time.
    Ashley

  4. Matthew says

    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!

    • Ryan Guina says

      Hello Matthew, Thank you for contacting me. You should contact your unit education office. They should be able to help you with the GI Bill top up program.

      You can still use the MGIB even if your tuition is covered 100% – regardless of the source (tuition assistance from a civilian employer, scholarship, grants, etc.). The check is made to you, not to the school. So you can use the payment for whatever you wish, whether that is tuition, books, living expenses, etc.

      The Post-9/11 GI Bill is different, as the payments are made directly to the school, not the individual. If you use the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the school would receive the tuition payment, and you would receive the housing allowance and additional stipends.

      The transfer to the Post-9/11 GI Bill is non-revocable, so run the numbers to see which program is more lucrative for your situation. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is generally the better deal, since it covers tuition up to the most expensive state university, plus a housing allowance and book stipend. But the MGIB can be more beneficial if you do not have to pay tuition and can otherwise pocket the payment.

      I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!

  5. sam morrison says

    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?

    • Ryan Guina says

      Hello Sam, Thank you for your question. You cannot transfer the MGIB to your dependents. However, it is possible to transfer the Post-9/11 GI Bill to your spouse or children. This is used as a retention tool, and is only available to service members who have at least 6 years of service on date of GI Bill transfer request, and who agree to serve 4 more years.

      So you would be eligible to transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill if you already have 6 years of service. You may be required to extend your contact by a short time period if you have less than four years of service left on your military commitment. I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!

  6. Kate says

    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)

    • Ryan Guina says

      Hello Kate, Thank you for contacting me. Service members must opt into the Montgomery GI Bill and pay $100 a month from their paycheck for the first year of enlistment. The Post-9/11 GI Bill does not require an opt-in or enrollment fee. However, one must serve the required amount of time before they will be eligible to receive the full benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

      There is value in the Montgomery GI Bill, but in most cases, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is more valuable, and it there is no cost to join. In most situations, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the better plan, and the member can save $1,200 if they elect not to opt into the Montgomery GI Bill.

  7. Nicole says

    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???

    • Ryan Guina says

      Hello Nicole, Thank you for contacting me. From what I understand, yes, you would need to exhaust your MGIB benefits before you would be eligible for an additional 12 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. It may be possible to take a single course using the MGIB to use those 22 days more quickly. Or you may be able to use the MGIB to pay for a test or certification to use the remaining 22 days of benefits. Then you can apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

      I do recommend verifying this with the VA. It’s always a good idea to get a personalized benefits statement and make sure everything applies to your situation before applying for or using benefits. I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!

  8. Gabriel says

    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?

    • Ryan Guina says

      Hello Gabriel, Thank you for contacting me. You can use both at the same time, however, the GI Bill will only pay for the difference in your tuition. I don’t believe you will be able to receive the full MGIB check. I don’t believe the MGIB can be used for books, fees, materials, or related expenses when you are also using your Tuition Assistance benefits.

      You should verify this with your education office to make sure policies haven’t changed.

      I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!

  9. connor says

    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.

  10. Paul Cunningham says

    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…

  11. mike says

    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.

    • Ryan Guina says

      Hello Mike, Thank you for contacting me. The Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are good for 15 years. So be sure to verify the expiration date with the VA. SO far as I am aware, the VA will provide the benefit through the end of the expiration month. I hope that points you in the right direction.

  12. Rob says

    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.

    • Ryan Guina says

      Hello Rob, Thank you for contacting me. I’m not certain. I would contact the VA to verify. They will be able to tell you. Worst case, you should be able to transfer the Post-9/11 GI Bill back to yourself so you can use the benefit now.

      I understand the desire to pass that benefit along – it’s very valuable, and we want our children to have opportunities. But it’s also important to take care of yourself. There are many opportunities for your daughter to pay for her college in the future, including scholarships, grants, tuition assistance, or possibly even through military service. Best of luck, and thank you for your service!

  13. Grant says

    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.

  14. Brendan says

    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

    • Ryan Guina says

      Hello Brendan, Thank you for contacting me. The MGIB provides a monthly check while you are attending classes. The rates are listed on the page, and are based on the course load you are taking. The rate you see is the entirety of the benefit. The Post-9/11 GI Bill has different payouts. The payment is made to the school in the amount of the tuition (or up to the highest state college in-state tuition rate where you are attending college). Members also receive a housing allowance at the E-5 with dependents rate, and an annual book stipend. In most cases, the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit is more valuable than the MGIB benefit. you would need to verify this, then contact the VA if you are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and wish to transfer to that from the MGIB.

      I hope this helps. Best of luck, and thank you for your service!

  15. Thomas Campbell says

    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

  16. Greg says

    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?

  17. Samantha says

    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?

    • Ryan Guina says

      Chris, The FY16 rates haven’t been released yet. I will update this article once I receive word of the new rates. Thanks, and best of luck with your studies!

  18. Rashon Felix says

    I am taking distance learning classes worth 12 credits total and I am only getting a little over $1000. Is this correct?

    • Ryan Guina says

      Rashon, Do you have the full Montgomery GI Bill rate based on the amount of time you served? If so, then you should receive the full GI Bill rate. If not, then you should only be eligible to receive the partial MGIB rate. If there is a problem, then the only thing you can do is contact the VA to get the problem corrected. Best of luck, and thanks for your service!

  19. larry says

    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.

    • Ryan Guina says

      Larry, it will all depend on how much of your benefit remains. The best way to find out is to contact the VA. Be sure to explain that you are using the MGIB so they don’t assume you are already using the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Then ask how much Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit you may have after you use all of your MGIB benefits. You may have some eligibility, depending on your service dates, how much of your GI Bill you have used, etc. It’s often case by case, so I can’t give you a more specific answer.

  20. Jaired Potter says

    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.

    • Ryan Guina says

      Yes, you should still have access to the GI Bill for 10 years after the last time you served in uniform. You should double-check, however, because there may be some differences based on your service in the National Guard. You may also be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, depending on your National Guard service. If you are eligible for it, you may consider transferring your benefits to the Post-9/11 GI Bill because they last longer (15 years after you separate), and they provide more overall benefits. (Keep in mind, not all Guard members are eligible for he Post-9/11 GI Bill; it depends on your service). My recommendation is to speak to the education office at your unit, or contact the VA for more specific information.

  21. Andrew says

    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?

    • Ryan Guina says

      Congrats on your progress, Andrew. You can definitely use your Montgomery GI Bill or Post-9/11 GI Bill for another advanced degree. There really aren’t any limits, as long as the degree is accredited. You can get a MGIB refund, provided you switch to the Post-9/11 GI Bill and use all of it. You will then be refunded a proportional amount of the MGIB that you didn’t use. For example, if you use half your MGIB, you will receive a $600 refund. So far as I know, there are no refunds for the MGIB kicker. Here is more information on MGIB refunds.

  22. Kevin Redden says

    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?

    • Ryan Guina says

      Kevin, I’m not sure if it is possible. The GI Bill transfer was designed as an incentive to get current military members to re-up for a longer time period. The servicemember usually incurs a 4 year commitment when they transfer their GI Bill. If this doesn’t answer all your questions, then I recommend contacting the VA to see if there are any other options.

  23. Kyle says

    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?

    • Ryan Guina says

      Kyle, When did you start school? Was it at the beginning of the month, or the middle of the month? It’s possible the VA sent you a prorated amount, based on the start date of your classes. The best thing to do is contact them and ask them for a full explanation. They should be able to tell you exactly what’s up with your situation.

      Best of luck with school, and thanks for your service!

      • Kyle says

        I started school August 20th, no payment yet of any sort from the VA. My award letter from the VA states: 849.06 montly rate, training time full, beginning 08-20-12 ending 10-12-12, and monthly rate 849.06 training time full, beginning 10-22-12 ending 12-14-12.

        I’ve tried to call the VA for about a month now, every time, about 50 minutes in the call is simply dropped.

        Do I have alternate means of communication with them, that does not rely on the phone call system?

  24. jorge says

    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?

    • Ryan Guina says

      Jorge, I believe the VA only pays based on how many days you go to school during a month. For example, if school starts on the 15th, you might only receive half the payment for that month. But you also only use half of a month’s benefit, so you don’t get charged for benefits you don’t receive. During the next month, you should receive the full benefit.

  25. Anthony Moreno says

    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?

    • Ryan Guina says

      Anthony, You may have some of the Ppost-9/11 benefits available if you are qualified for it, but you wouldn’t get the entire thing. I believe you would be eligible for 1 year of Post9-/11 benefits after exhausting the MGIB. You may find that the Post-9/11 GI Bill offers more benefits now, so you might want to consider switching now to get the better benefits. Another benefit is that you may be eligible for a partial MGIB refund if you still have MGIB benefits remaining when you use all of your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. I recommend contacting a GI Bill counselor at the VA to help you run through your benefits to see which works out the best for you.

  26. Scott B Kurka says

    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

    • Ryan Guina says

      Not that I am aware of – from what I understand the benefits must be transferred while you are still on active duty. Your best bet will be to contact the VA to determine what your options are.

      Best of luck, and thanks for your service.

  27. Kayla Williams says

    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.

    • Ryan Guina says

      Kayla, Are you in the military, or were you in the military? If you served, then it is possible you are eligible for education benefits. If you never served, then you may be eligible for some spousal education benefits, but it will depend on your situation. If you served, I recommend contacting the VA, if you did not serve, I recommend reading this resource, or contacting your base education office for more information. Best of luck.

  28. Jerry Smith says

    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

    • Ryan Guina says

      Jerry,

      Thank you for contacting us. In most cases, Montgomery GI Bill benefits expire 10 years after you last leave military service. It is probable that you are no longer eligible for the MGIB, however, you should contact the VA for a final decision on this matter.

      Additionally, there may be other veterans education or training programs available to you at either a state, local, or national level. I recommend speaking with the VA and someone at your state or local veterans office.

      There is also a new training and education program available to unemployed military veterans aged 35-60. You can read more about your resources here: Federal Employment Resources for Military Veterans.

      Best of luck, and thanks for your service.

      • Mrs. McCary says

        My husband has been out of the military for sometime, he has a good job, but does not get paid what other’s in his field because he does not have an education. So I am wondering is there any programs that could help him to go to college. Like this one: There is also a new training and education program available to unemployed military veterans aged 35-60. You can read more about it here: VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 – GI Bill for Unemployed Veterans. Also, I was in the military, but I was not in for over the 180 days, so would I be able to get the benefits list above?

        Thank you,

        Mrs. McCary

      • Ryan Guina says

        Mrs. McCary, The Montgomery GI Bill is typically good for up to 10 years after leaving the military, after which the benefits expire. There is the Post-9/11 GI Bil which is available to many veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is good for 15 years after leaving the service.

        As for the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, this program is only available to veterans who are unemployed, so your husband wouldn’t qualify. Regarding your eligibility, I am unsure of the minimum service requirements. I recommend contacting the VA ASAP to see if you are eligible.

        Here is more info on the program:

        Thanks for your service, and best of luck!

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