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DNG Education Program JOIN THE GUARD!
By 1LT Deborah L. Welch, Education Services Officer, Delaware National Guard
Montgomery GI Bill Chapter 30 Program
Chapter 30 Program Description
The Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (Chapter 30 of title 38, U.S. Code) is an educational assistance program enacted by Congress to attract high quality men and women into the Armed Forces. The program is administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It provides education and training opportunities to eligible persons.
Chapter 30 Eligibility
There are four categories of Chapter 30 eligibles:
- Conversion from Chapter 34 ( Vietnam Era)
- Conversion from Chapter 32 (VEAP)
- New acquisition active military on or after 1 July 1985
- Reserve Component (RC) soldiers ordered to Active Duty for 24 months in support of current operations
Most new acquisition service members decide whether to participate in Chapter 30 at the time they enter into the Active Duty military. These individual soldiers are afforded the opportunity to enroll in the Chapter 30 MGIB Program OR they elect not to participate. Individuals are informed there is no "window of opportunity" to reconsider their initial enrollment or declination. This is a one-time opportunity to elect or decline this benefit.
Eligibility of Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) personnel for the active component MGIB Chapter 30 was not made at the start of the program. A "catch-up" enrollment was completed between 1 Dec 1988 - 30 June 1989 time frame for certain eligible personnel. Initially, for AGR personnel, only Army Reserve AGR personnel with no previous Active Duty (except for training) were eligible. Since 29 Nov 1989 , National Guard AGR personnel (Title 32) with no Active Duty could elect Chapter 30 when beginning their first long tour of duty. Title 32 NG AGR personnel who entered between 1 Jul 1985 and 29 Nov 1989 are not eligible.
Costs
The cost of participation is a reduction in pay of $100 per month for 12 months. Except under extreme circumstances (death in the line of service), the $1200 is not refundable . The Chapter 30 benefit is for 36 months of full-time study. It is pro-rated for part-time study. There are also Army College Fund "kickers" for selected MOS fields, but these are limited to Active Duty enlistees.
Receiving Benefits
To receive Chapter 30 benefits while on active duty, individuals must first meet the two-year time-in-service requirement. To apply for benefits, individuals need to complete an Application for VA Education Benefits ( VA Form 22-1990 ) and Enrollment Certification (VA Form 22-1999) (available only through school officials).
Chapter 30 benefits may be used at any education level, including graduate school. The time period for individuals to apply for and utilize benefits is 10 years following separation from active duty. Benefits will be paid during this entitlement period until the total entitlement amounts have been paid or the delimiting period expires. A fully honorable discharge is the only qualifying discharge category for Chapter 30.
Sample Benefits Chart
Check the VA Web site for current monthly entitlements under Chapter 30 .
Optional Increased Benefits
Public Law 106-419, effective 1 May 2001 , affected participants in the Montgomery GI Bill Program. This legislation allows active duty members (including AGR) whose original education benefit program is the MGIB to make an additional contribution up to a maximum of $600. For more information, view the full details of this optional MGIB benefit increase .
RC soldiers who have been ordered to active duty and who serve 24 continuous months on active duty may be eligible for enrollment in Chapter 30 MGIB-AD and may also elect to make the $600 MGIB-AD additional contribution. In order to qualify for the basic benefit, individuals must:
• Have entered active duty for the first time after 30 June 1985 and never declined MGIB in writing .
• Not be a service academy graduate or ROTC scholarship recipient.
• Be ordered to active duty for at least two years; this also includes individuals ordered to active duty for one year and subsequently ordered to serve another year (service must be continuous).
• Pay the lump sum initial payment of $1200.
In order to make the additional contribution (to increase an existing MGIB-AD Chapter 30 benefit), individuals must:
• Have first gained Chapter 30 eligibility in a prior active duty status on or after 1 July 1985 (or via 24 months service due to current operations).
• Been ordered to serve on active duty for at least one day.
• Contribute the $600 additional lump sum amount while on active duty.
Soldiers who have met these requirements and who are still on active duty, prior to being demobilized, should contact the active duty installation Education Services Officer (ESO) and:
• Complete and sign DD Form 2366. Note: For Soldiers interested in making the additional $600 contribution, use DD Form 2366-1. Both forms need to be completed and certified if the individual wishes to make both the initial and additional contributions.
• Will be directed to immediately pay the lump sum $1200 (or $1800 if interested in the additional benefits) at the installation finance office. The installation finance office must give Soldier a Cash Collection Voucher (DD Form 1131) as his/her receipt. The Soldier must then mail or fax the DD Form 2366 (and/or DD 2366-1) and the DD Form 1131 to the Army Reserve MGIB Program Manager at HR Command, St. Louis. Once paid, this money is NONREFUNDABLE.
Effect of Activation (Call to Active Duty) on Education Benefits
View Effect of Activation on Army Reserve Education Benefits
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