Montgomery GI Bill: Rates, Eligibility and How It Compares to Post-9/11
Updated September 2026 · Checked against VA.gov and 38 CFR · Sources below
On this page
- Montgomery GI Bill in one minute (Chapter 30 vs Chapter 1606)
- MGIB-AD eligibility categories
- 2026-27 monthly rates (college, OJT, apprenticeship)
- MGIB Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
- $600 Buy-Up and the $1,200 refund
- Montgomery vs Post-9/11: worked examples and the 48-month rule
- How to apply and when benefits expire
- What your state adds
- Next steps
- Common questions
Montgomery GI Bill in one minute (Chapter 30 vs Chapter 1606)
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
MGIB-AD eligibility categories
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
2026-27 monthly rates (college, OJT, apprenticeship)
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
MGIB Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
$600 Buy-Up and the $1,200 refund
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
Montgomery vs Post-9/11: worked examples and the 48-month rule
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
How to apply and when benefits expire
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
What your state adds
Next steps
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
Common questions
- How much is the Montgomery GI Bill per month in 2026?
- Full-time students with 3+ years of service get $2,518 a month through September 30, 2026, and $2,601 from October 1, 2026. Two-year enlistees get $2,043, rising to $2,110.
- Montgomery or Post-9/11: which should I pick?
- Post-9/11 usually pays more because tuition is paid directly plus a housing allowance. MGIB can win if your tuition is very low and you have no housing allowance at a high-BAH school; after Rudisill you may be able to use both.
- Can I get the $1,200 back?
- Yes, if you switch to Post-9/11 with unused MGIB months and then exhaust Post-9/11 while receiving MHA. VA adds the prorated refund to your final housing payment automatically.
- What is the $600 Buy-Up?
- While on active duty you can contribute up to $600 extra to raise your MGIB payments by up to $150 a month, worth up to $5,400 over 36 months.
- Does MGIB expire?
- MGIB-AD must be used within 10 years of your last discharge. MGIB-SR ends when you leave the Selected Reserve, with limited exceptions.
Sources
- MGIB-AD full-time rate is $2,518 per month for 3+ years of service from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.
- MGIB-AD full-time rate rises to $2,601 (3+ years) and $2,110 (2 years) from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027.
- MGIB OJT/apprenticeship rates for FY2027 (3+ years) are $1,950.75 months 1-6, $1,430.55 months 7-12, $910.35 thereafter.
- Eligible veterans receive the MGIB $1,200 refund automatically in their last Post-9/11 housing allowance payment; no application is needed.
- The $600 Buy-Up increases MGIB monthly benefits by up to $150 per month.
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GI Bill Programs Compared: Which Benefit Should You Use?
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Post-9/11 GI Bill: 2026-27 Rates, Eligibility Tiers and How to Apply
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GI Bill On-the-Job Training (OJT) Guide
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GI Bill Apprenticeship Programs: Earn a Wage and a Housing Allowance While You Train
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GI Bill Reimbursement for Licensing and Certification Exams
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This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice, and Veterans Alliance is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Rules and rates change; the linked VA.gov pages are always the authoritative source.