Montgomery G.I. Bill (Chapter 30)

The Montgomery G.I. Bill establishes a program of education benefits for essentially two groups or categories of individuals based on their active duty service. The benefits available to each may vary depending on their particular situation and length of active duty service.

Eligibility Requirements

Individuals entering military service on or after July 1, 1985, have their basic military pay reduced by $100 a month for the first 12 months of their service, in order to be eligible for this educational assistance program.

Persons separated from active duty because of a service-connected disability or hardship discharge may be eligible for Chapter 30 benefits without meeting the length of service requirements. In these cases, eligible persons would be entitled to one month of education benefits for each month of military service.

Unlike most other VA educational assistance programs, in order to be eligible for Chapter 30, the veteran must have been released from active duty with the character of discharge specifically listed as "Honorable." "Under honorable conditions," a "General" discharge, etc. are not qualifying, and individuals receiving such discharges may not receive a refund of moneys previously reduced from military pay for the Chapter 30 program. Servicepersons who complete six months or less of active military service may be issued "uncharacterized" discharges. Those "uncharacterized" discharges issued for reasons of service-connected disability or hardship are considered to be "Honorable" for Chapter 30 purposes.

Servicepersons

Persons on active duty must have served a minimum of 2 years continuous active duty before becoming eligible to receive benefits under Chapter 30. The serviceperson must consult with the Education Services Officer (ESO) on his or her military facility before submitting an application for VA benefits. The ESO will discuss the various educational assistance opportunities available to the serviceperson. The law prohibits concurrent payment of tuition assistance by the military service and VA educational assistance for pursuit of the same course. A serviceperson may, however, pursue several courses, with tuition assistance from the military paying for some and VA benefits paying for the others.

Time Limit

In most cases, eligibility expires 10 years after last discharge or release from active duty.