Qualifying for Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty Benefits
You may be eligible for Chapter 30 benefits if you meet the following criteria:
- Have an honorable discharge; AND
- you have a high school diploma or GED or, in some cases, 12 hours of college credit; AND
- you meet the requirements of one of the following categories:
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
- Continuously served for three years or two years, if that is what you first enlisted for or if you entered the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty and served four years (the 2 by 4 program)
CATEGORY II
- Entered active duty before January 1, 1977
- Served at least one day between 10/19/84 and 6/30/85, and stayed on active duty through 6/30/88, (or through 6/30/87 if you entered the Selected Reserve within one year of leaving active duty and served four years)
- On 12/31/89, you had entitlement left from Vietnam-era GI Bill®
CATEGORY III
- Not eligible for MGIB under Category I or II
- On active duty on 9/30/90 AND separated involuntarily after 2/2/91
OR involuntarily separated on or after 11/30/93
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 10/9/96 AND you had money remaining in a VEAP account on that date
AND you elected MGIB by 10/9/97
OR you entered full-time National Guard duty under title 32, USC, between 7/1/85, and 11/28/89, AND you elected MGIB during the period 10/9/96 - 7/08/97 - Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for 12 months or made a $1,200 lump-sum contribution
Additional Details
Learn more about Chapter 30 benefits.
Process and Documentation
Your Certification of Enrollment will be sent to Muskogee VA Regional Processing electronically through the VA:
- After you are formally accepted to the university
- Up to 120 days prior to the first day of class
Documentation requirements:
- Apply for benefits through the VA.
- Complete an Enrollment Certification Request.
- Provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or confirmation of your submitted application to the VA.
If you are former active duty, provide:
- A copy of your DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)
Your Certification of Enrollment will be sent to Muskogee VA Regional Processing electronically through the VA:
- After you are formally accepted to the university
- Up to 120 days prior to the first day of class
Documentation requirements:
- Notify the VA that you've changed schools.
- Complete an Enrollment Certification Request.
Your Certification of Enrollment will be sent to Muskogee VA Regional Processing electronically through the VA:
- Up to 120 days prior to the first day of class
Documentation requirement:
- Complete an Enrollment Certification Request.