Montgomery GI Bill and Post 9/11 GI Bill
Comparing the Montgomery and Post-9/11 G.I. Bills
Military personnel wishing to attend college will soon have two GI Bills to choose from. While the Veteran's Administration is still defining the terms of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill (set to take effect August 1, 2009), we have taken what they have disclosed and compared it to the newly-enhanced Montgomery GI Bill below.
| Montgomery (Ch 30) | Post-9/11 proposed (Ch 33) | |
| Payment rate for full-time student | Payment rate: $1321 based on course load | Payment rate based on course load, time served, and highest in-state public school tuition in state where school is located |
| Eligibility requirements | Started active duty service after 6/30/85 with an honorable discharge. | Active duty service since 9/11/01 with an honorable discharge. |
| Housing/book stipend | None | Monthly housing stipend equal to BAH for E-5 with dependents - Up to $1000/year for books and fees *Students enrolled in Online Institution are not eligible for this benefit. |
| Transferability | Not available for most service members | If you are a member of the Armed Forces on 8/1/09, the DoD may offer you the opportunity to transfer benefits to your spouse or dependents. The official policy has not yet been released by the DoD. |
| Months of benefit | Generally up to 36 months | Generally up to 36 months |
| Expiration | Expiration is 10 years from the most recent date of release from Active Duty | Expiration is 15 years from the most recent date of release from Active Duty |
| Who should use it | Students with higher tuition expenses (those attending private schools or graduate programs) | Students looking for a traditional college experience, including student housing |
Important facts to note:
- New recruits must ‘buy in’ to the Montgomery GI Bill program for $1200 in order to retain the option to use it. If they are eligible for both MGI and Post 9/11 and choose to utilize the Post 9/11, they may be able to have the $1200 MGI ‘buy in’ refunded.
- For those who qualify for both GI Bills:
- Students must choose to utilize either the Post 9/11 or the Montgomery GI Bill. Once their decision is made, they cannot switch to the other.
- A student currently using or eligible to use the Montgomery GI Bill benefits can choose to switch to the Post 9/11 GI Bill once students can begin receiving benefits on August 1st, 2009.
- If a school’s programs have already been approved by their State Approving Agency, the school will not need to have their programs re-approved for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
- Montgomery GI Bill payments will continue to be sent to the student. Post 9/11 benefit payments will be sent directly to the school.
- Payments for the monthly living stipend and books benefit under the Post 9/11 GI Bill will be sent to the student.
- The Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition payment is based on the state that the school is located and is not to exceed the most expensive in-state public institution’s tuition rate. Herzing University Online is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; therefore, the benefit received cannot exceed the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Currently, the University of Wisconsin-Madison tuition rate for the Fall 2008 semester is $3784.28 for full-time students (12 credits or more) in an undergraduate degree program, as referenced on the UW-Madison web site.
- For the Post 9/11 GI Bill, payment of benefits is determined by length of time you were/are on active duty. To determine how much money you will receive, view the chart and examples on the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs Post-9/11 GI Bill factsheet. Post-9/11 GI Bill factsheet.
- If your State offers additional GI Bill or other services to build on the MGI or Post 9/11, please check with your local VA office to confirm eligibility for both federal and state programs. Some state-based programs do not allow you to utilize both benefits
- If you are eligible for both GI Bill benefits and Vocation Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31) benefits, speak with your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to determine which would be the best fit for you. More information can be found at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm
For more information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, visit these links:
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm
- Post-9/11 GI Bill comparison http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Benefit_Comparison_Chart.htm#MONEY
- Military.com http://education.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/new-gi-bill-overview#3
Find out more
For more information about Herzing University Online and applying your GI Bill to your education, call to speak with one of our Military Specialist Admissions Advisors toll free at 1-866-508-0748, extension 243.
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Please note: All information for these pages was obtained between 8/19/08 and 8/22/08 from the web sites referenced within the context. This is for informational purposes only and should not be considered complete or contractual. Contact the institution referenced or your local Veteran’s Administration directly for updates and full explanations on benefits and eligibility.