What Is the Chapter 30 GI Bill (MGIB-AD)?
The Montgomery GI Bill — Active Duty (MGIB-AD), known as Chapter 30, pays a monthly stipend directly to veterans who served on active duty and contributed $1,200 during their service. Unlike the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the VA pays you — not your school. You are responsible for paying tuition to your institution.
2026 Monthly Stipend Rates
In 2026, Chapter 30 pays $2,324 per month for full-time enrollment. The rate scales down for less than full-time attendance.
| Enrollment Level | Monthly Stipend (2026) |
|---|---|
| Full-time | $2,324 |
| 3/4-time | $1,743 |
| 1/2-time | $1,162 |
| Less than 1/2-time | Up to $1,162 (net cost only) |
Payments go directly to you each month. You are then responsible for paying your school's tuition and fees out of that amount.
Who Is Eligible for Chapter 30?
You qualify for MGIB-AD if you meet all three of these conditions.
- Service length: You completed at least 3 years of continuous active-duty service (or 2 years if your enlistment was for less than 3 years, plus 4 years in the Selected Reserve). Most standard enlistments require the full 4-year obligation for full benefits.
- $1,200 buy-in: You contributed $100 per month for 12 months — a total of $1,200 — which was automatically deducted from your military pay. This contribution is non-refundable.
- High school diploma or equivalency: You must have a diploma or GED before your first day of active duty.
You must also have received an honorable discharge. Benefits expire 10 years from your date of discharge. After that deadline, unused entitlement is lost.
Entitlement Period
Chapter 30 provides up to 36 months of education benefits. You can use benefits for college degrees, vocational and technical training, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, flight training, correspondence courses, and national tests like the LSAT or GMAT.
Chapter 30 vs. Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
For most veterans enrolled full-time at a four-year school, the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) pays more — but Chapter 30 still wins in specific situations.
| Feature | Chapter 30 (MGIB-AD) | Chapter 33 (Post-9/11) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition payment | Paid to veteran | Paid directly to school (up to state cap) |
| Housing allowance | None (stipend covers all costs) | BAH at E-5 with dependents rate |
| Monthly stipend (FT) | $2,324 | Varies — MHA often $1,500–$3,000+ |
| Books/supplies | Not separately covered | Up to $1,000/year |
| Entitlement | 36 months | 36 months |
| Buy-in required | Yes — $1,200 | No |
When Chapter 30 May Be the Better Choice
Chapter 33 is not always the right answer. Consider staying on Chapter 30 in these cases.
- Employer Tuition Assistance (TA) + MGIB Top-Up: If your employer or the DoD covers tuition, you can use the MGIB Top-Up program to fill any remaining gap. Chapter 30's monthly cash payment stacks well with this setup.
- Online or distance learning: Post-9/11 housing allowance drops to half the national average rate for fully online programs. If you attend school entirely online, Chapter 30's flat $2,324/mo may beat Chapter 33's reduced housing allowance.
- Short remaining entitlement: If you have only a few months left under Chapter 30 and switching to Chapter 33 would require an irrevocable election, finishing on MGIB protects your Post-9/11 eligibility for a future school.
- Low-cost schools: If tuition is well under $2,324/mo, Chapter 30's cash payment may exceed what Chapter 33 would pay for tuition plus a lower MHA.
Switching from Chapter 30 to Chapter 33 Is Permanent
If you elect to upgrade from MGIB-AD to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, that election is one-time and irrevocable. You cannot switch back. Think carefully before converting, especially if you have a small remaining entitlement or a strategic reason to stay on Chapter 30.
GI Bill vs Tuition Assistance: Which Should You Use First?
Tuition Assistance (TA) is a separate active-duty benefit, not a GI Bill program — each service pays up to $4,500 per fiscal year directly to your school, capped at $250 per credit hour, while you are still in uniform. The GI Bill only starts paying a housing allowance or full-time stipend after you leave active duty, though MGIB Top-Up lets Chapter 30 supplement TA for costs TA does not fully cover.
| Factor | Tuition Assistance (TA) | Chapter 30 GI Bill |
|---|---|---|
| Who is eligible | Active-duty service members only | Separated veterans (or MGIB Top-Up while still serving) |
| Paid to | School, directly | You, as a monthly stipend |
| Typical cap | Up to $4,500/fiscal year, $250/credit hour | $2,324/mo full-time (2026 rate) |
| Uses your GI Bill entitlement? | No — separate benefit | Yes, draws down your 36 months |
| Best for | Active-duty members chipping away at a degree part-time | Full-time study after leaving active duty |
Verdict: use Tuition Assistance first while you are still on active duty since it does not touch your GI Bill entitlement at all, then save your 36 months of Chapter 30 or Chapter 33 for after you separate, when you can study full-time. If TA does not fully cover a course, MGIB Top-Up lets Chapter 30 fill the gap without burning a full month of entitlement for a class TA mostly paid for.
MGIB Kicker Programs
Some service members received an MGIB "kicker" — an additional monthly payment on top of the standard Chapter 30 rate. Kickers were offered as enlistment or reenlistment incentives in specific military occupational specialties (MOS) or for certain critical skills. Common sources include:
- Army College Fund: Supplemental amounts of $200–$950/mo added to the base MGIB rate, agreed at enlistment.
- Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) kicker: A specific dollar amount added to your MGIB monthly payment in exchange for reenlistment in a critical skill.
- Branch-specific kickers: The Navy, Air Force, and Marines offered similar incentives in certain programs.
Your DD-214 and enlistment contract will show whether you earned a kicker. Contact your regional VA Education call center if you believe you qualify for a kicker that is not being paid.
How to Apply for Chapter 30
Apply online at VA.gov using VA Form 22-1990. You can also apply in person at any VA regional office. Once approved, your school must be VA-approved and must certify your enrollment each term. The VA then releases monthly payments directly to your bank account. Allow 4–6 weeks for the first payment to arrive after certification.
For a full comparison of all GI Bill programs and to find the right program for your situation, visit our VA Education Benefits guide.
Key Takeaways
- Chapter 30 pays $2,324/mo directly to you in 2026 — you pay your school.
- You need at least 3–4 years of active duty and the $1,200 buy-in to qualify.
- Chapter 33 usually pays more for full-time students at expensive schools, but Chapter 30 wins for online learners and DoD TA users.
- Switching to Chapter 33 is permanent — exhaust all options before converting.