Editing G.I. Bill (section)

===Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill)===
In 1984, former Mississippi Democratic Congressman [[Gillespie V. Montgomery|Gillespie V. "Sonny" Montgomery]] revamped the G.I. Bill.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/history.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060709175000/http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/history.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 9, 2006|title=Education and Training Home|last=223D|access-date=June 19, 2016}}</ref> From 1984 until 2008, this version of the law was called "The Montgomery G.I. Bill". The '''Montgomery GI Bill&nbsp;— Active Duty''' (MGIB) stated that active duty members had to forfeit $100 per month for 12 months; if they used the benefits, they received {{As of|2012|lc=on}} $1564 monthly as a full-time student (tiered at lower rates for less-than-full-time) for a maximum of 36 months of education benefits. This benefit could be used for both degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and correspondence courses if the veteran was enrolled full-time. Part-time veteran students received less, but for a proportionately longer period.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/mgib_ad.asp|title=Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) - Education and Training|website=www.benefits.va.gov}}</ref> This meant that for every month the veteran received benefits at the half-time, the veteran's benefits were only charged for 1/2 of a month. Veterans from the reserve had different eligibility requirements and different rules on receiving benefits (see Ch. 1606, Ch. 1607 and Ch. 33). MGIB could also be used while active, which only reimbursed the cost of tuition and fees. Each service has additional educational benefit programs for active duty members. Most delay using MGIB benefits until after separation, discharge or retirement.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}}

===="Buy-Up" option====
The "Buy-Up" option, allows active duty members to forfeit up to $600 more toward their MGIB. For every dollar the service member contributes, the federal government contributes $8.  Those who forfeit the maximum ($600) will receive, upon approval, an additional $150 per month for 36 months, or a total of $5400. This allows the veteran to receive $4,800 in additional funds ($5400 total minus the $600 contribution to receive it), but not until after leaving active duty (unless the tuition of a term is higher than the monthly MGIB rate would pay).  The additional contribution must be made while still on active duty. It is available for G.I. Bill recipients using either Ch. 30 or Ch. 1607, but cannot be extended beyond 36 months if a combination of G.I. Bill programs are used.  It will pay past 36 months of eligibility, by being paid to the end of the term where entitlement is exhausted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#MGIBAD|title=Education and Training Home|last=223D|access-date=June 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005040618/http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#MGIBAD|archive-date=October 5, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The "buy-up" option is not to be confused with a "kicker".  A kicker is an additional payment as well, however it is a contractual incentive for specific jobs, and not an optional offering soldiers can pay into.

====Time limit/eligibility====
MGIB benefits may be used up to 10 years from the date of last discharge or release from active duty. The 10-year period can be extended by the amount of time a service member was prevented from training during that period because of a disability or because he/she was held by a foreign government or power.

The 10-year period can also be extended if one reenters active duty for 90 days or more after becoming eligible. The extension ends 10 years from the date of separation from the later period. Periods of active duty of fewer than 90 days qualify for extensions only if one was separated for one of the following:
* A service-connected disability
* A medical condition existing before active duty
* Hardship

For those eligible based on two years of active duty and four years in the Selected Reserve (also known as "call to service"), they have 10 years from their release from active duty, or 10 years from the completion of the four-year Selected Reserve obligation to use MGIB benefits.

At this time, service members cannot recoup any monies paid into the MGIB program should it not be utilized.

====Top-up option====
Service members may use GI bill in conjunction with Military Tuition Assistance (MilTA) to help with payments above the MilTA CAP. This will reduce the total benefit available once the member leaves service. Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–377, January 4, 2011), Section 111, amended Title 38, U.S. Code, by adding section 3322(h), "Bar to Duplication of Eligibility Based on a Single Event or Period of Service," which does not allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish eligibility for a Service Member under more than one education benefit. If a service member applies for Montgomery GI Bill benefits (such as the Top-up option to augment Tuition Assistance) and entered service on/after August 1, 2011, then they must incur a subsequent period of service to convert to the Post 9/11 GI Bill. If the service member cannot incur another period of service, they are not eligible to convert.  The VA considers a service member has elected a GI Bill upon submission of VA Form 22–1990.and VA approval and issues a Certificate of Eligibility.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Good |first1=William |title=INFORMATION PAPER |url=https://www.hrc.army.mil/Site/Assets/Directorate/tagd/Post_9-11_GI_%20Bill_Bar_to_Duplication.pdf |work=hrc.army.mil |publisher=US Army |access-date=September 5, 2016 |ref=AHRC-PDE-I |pages=2 |language=en |format=Information Paper |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918015708/https://www.hrc.army.mil/Site/Assets/Directorate/tagd/Post_9-11_GI_%20Bill_Bar_to_Duplication.pdf |archive-date=September 18, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Educational====
* College, business
* Technical or vocational courses
* Correspondence courses
* Apprenticeship/job training
* Flight training (usually limited to 60% for Ch. 30, see Ch. 33 for more flight information)

Under this bill, benefits may be used to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree at a college or university, a cooperative training program, or an accredited independent study program leading to a degree.