Veterans Affairs (VA) GI Bill® Chapters 30 & 1606
Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB) and Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR)
Chapters 30 and 1606
Benefit Summary:
Below is a snapshot of how the Department of Veterans Affairs processes Montgomery and Selected Reserves GI Bill® benefits and their general eligibility requirements. To fully determine your eligibility for either of these benefits, please contact the Department of Veteran Affairs directly at (888) 442-4551.
- The Montgomery GI Bill is available for veterans who began active duty service after June 30, 1985 and paid into the benefit at the beginning of their service.
- The Selected Reserves GI Bill is available to members of the Selected Reserves with a 6 year service commitment.
- Students are paid directly by the VA on a monthly basis while attending courses. See Pay Rates for more information.
- Students must verify their enrollment on WAVE at the end of each month in order to receive their benefit payment
- All Selected Reserve service members are authorized to use both TA and the MGIB-SR concurrently when enrolled in a program of education that is half-time or greater. Concurrent use is not authorized when enrolled in less than half-time.
How to use your Montgomery or Selected Reserves GI Bill:
Click the steps below to read more.
1. Complete Veterans Affairs Paperwork
2. Contact the Office of Military Affairs
3. Registration and Certification
4. Complete Financial Check-In
5. Verify Your Enrollment on W.A.V.E.
6. Keep the VA Updated on Any Changes
Veterans Affairs (VA) Top-Up Program
On Oct. 30, 2000, the President signed into law an amendment to the GI Bill® that permits the Department of Veteran Affairs to pay a Tuition Assistance Top-up benefit.
If you’re eligible for the Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill, and plan to use Tuition Assistance (TA), and your TA will not pay 100% of tuition and fees, you can use the Top-Up program to pay the outstanding balance with your GI Bill. The amount of the benefit can be equal to the difference between the total cost of the course and the amount of Tuition Assistance paid for the course.
The typical timeframe for reimbursement for those participating in the Top-Up program under Federal Tuition Assistance is 6-8 weeks after certification with the Department of Veteran Affairs.
The Basics:
Who is eligible?
- To be eligible to use Top-Up, you must be approved for federal Tuition Assistance by a military department and be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30 only).
How much will Top-Up pay?
- Top-Up payments are limited to the typical amount that would be paid under regular GI Bill benefits and the cost of the course. The amount of TA paid, combined with the amount paid by the VA, cannot exceed the total cost of the course.
How does this affect my GI Bill?
- The Montgomery GI Bill (Ch. 30) will be charged based on the dollar amount of benefits the VA pays you. You will be charged one month of entitlement for each payment you receive that is equal to the full time monthly rate for the GI Bill. If the payment you receive is less than the full time monthly rate, your entitlement will be charged a pro-rated amount. For example, if your payment equals half of the monthly full time rate, your entitlement will be charged for half a month. Visit our Pay Rates webpage for more information on Chapter 30 monthly rates.
The Process:
If you’ve never used GI Bill benefits before:
- Request TA from your branch of service. Once approved, be sure to send a copy to Liberty for processing.
- Complete an application for VA education benefits, VA Form 22-1990.
- Indicate “Top-up” on the VA application in item 1A under the MGIB-Active Duty block.
- Notify the Office of Military Affairs that you wish to use Top-Up for Chapter 30 by contacting us.
- The Office of Military Affairs will process your enrollment certification to the VA for the remaining tuition and fees after TA has been applied to your account.
If you have used GI Bill benefits before:
- Request TA from your branch of service. Once approved, be sure to send a copy to Liberty for processing.
- Notify the Office of Military Affairs that you wish to use Top-Up for Chapter 30 by contacting us.
- The Office of Military Affairs will process your enrollment certification to the VA for the remaining tuition and fees after TA has been applied to your account.
The application and other evidence should be sent to one of the VA’s four education processing offices in Atlanta, Buffalo, Muskogee (OK), or St. Louis. Claims should specify that Tuition Assistance Top-up is being claimed.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.