GI Bill Benefits Guide (Ch.33, MGIB-AD, MGIB-SR)

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Ch.33) & Montgomery GI Bill (AD/SR)

The VA offers several education benefits, but these three are the most common versions of the "GI Bill." Each is designed for a different type of service:

  • The Post-9/11 GI Bill: This is the modern, primary benefit for nearly everyone who served on **active duty after September 10, 2001**. It requires no buy-in and is the most comprehensive, paying tuition directly to the school and providing a separate monthly housing allowance.
  • The Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD): This is the classic program for active duty veterans, most common before 2009. It's the one you had to **pay $1,200 into** to get a fixed monthly check for school expenses.
  • The Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR):** This is a smaller, monthly benefit for traditional, part-time members of the **National Guard and Reserves** who have not served on extended federal active duty.

***We go into more information down below!***

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)

Eligibility

You may be eligible for education benefits if you meet at least one of these requirements.

  • You served at least 90 days on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, **or**
  • You received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged, **or**
  • You served for at least 30 continuous days on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability, **or**
  • You’re a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or service member.

What benefits can I get?

  • Tuition and fees: If you qualify for the maximum benefit, VA will cover the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees.
  • Money for housing: VA will base your monthly housing allowance on the cost of living where your school is located (if you’re in school more than half time).
  • Money for books and supplies: You can receive up to the maximum stipend per school year.
  • Other Benefits: You may also be eligible for tutorial assistance, work-study programs, and reimbursement for national exams or licensing tests.

How long do I have to use it?

  • If your service ended **before January 1, 2013,** your benefits expire 15 years after your last separation date.
  • If your service ended **on or after January 1, 2013,** your benefits will not expire, thanks to the Forever GI Bill.

How do I get these benefits?

You must apply. The benefit amount depends on your school, length of service, and how many credits you are taking.

Apply for Education Benefits

Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD)

This is the "old school" GI Bill. The most important thing to know is that this is the one you had to **pay $1,200 into** during your first year of service.

Who Qualifies?

  • Category I is the most common: This is for people who joined after June 30, 1985, and paid the $1,200.
  • Categories II, III, and IV are for special cases, covering veterans from different eras (like Vietnam), those who were involuntarily separated, or those who converted from older benefit programs.

Major Update: The *Rudisill* Rule (Stacking Benefits)

The Old Rule: You were generally limited to 36 months of benefits total, no matter how many GI Bills you earned.

The New Rule: If you have **two or more separate periods of qualifying service**, you may be able to get up to **48 months total** of benefits. For example, you could use all 36 months of your Post-9/11 GI Bill, and then claim an additional 12 months of your MGIB-AD benefits. The key is having separate enlistments that each earned a benefit.

Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

This is the standard education benefit for traditional, part-time members of the National Guard and Reserves.

Who is eligible?

You need to meet four basic conditions:

  • Commit to a 6-year contract in the Guard or Reserves.
  • Complete your initial military training (Basic and AIT/job school).
  • Have a high school diploma or GED.
  • Remain in good standing with your unit.

What do you get?

This benefit is a **fixed monthly check** sent directly to you. It does **NOT** pay tuition to the school and does **NOT** include a housing allowance. It is a modest stipend to help with expenses.

Where can you check eligible schools?

The VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool is the best place to start. This tool will allow you to see which schools and programs are approved for your benefits and estimate your payments.

  1. Go to the **GI Bill Comparison Tool**.
  2. Select "Schools and employers" and search by location.
  3. On the results page, find "Update tuition, housing, and monthly benefit estimates."
  4. From the dropdown menu, **choose the specific GI Bill chapter benefit** you want to use.
  5. Follow the prompts to update your estimates.
Open GI Bill Comparison Tool