GI Bill-Active Duty Chapter 30

An education program that applies to veterans who served on active duty or AGR, served two or three years, had pay reduced by $1,200, and received an honorable discharge.

Have qualifying active duty service on or after 1 JUL 1985 or AGR service after 29 NOV 1989.

• Complete two years on Active Duty or AGR (Title 10/32) for 80% rate.
• Complete three years on Active Duty or AGR (Title 10/32) for 100% rate.
• Must complete 24 months before use
• Complete a mobilization of at least two continuous years (730 days), or complete 20 months of a 730 day mobilization and be discharged at the convenience of the government.

Have pay reduced by $1,200

• If you are AGR, you can choose to pay a lump sum or set up deductions from your paycheck of $100 per month for 12 months.
• If you are eligible due to a mobilization, you must pay the $1,200 lump sum.
• To buy-in, contact the Education Services Office at ng.tn.tnarng.list.ngtn-j1-education@army.mil

A monthly payment paid directly to the Soldier based on amount of active duty time served.

Effective 1 OCT 2024:

• 3+ years or service= $2,438 per month
• 2-3 years of service= $1,978 per month

Payments are limited by several factors, including:

• Payment tier
• Rate of pursuit (if you are going to school full-time, half-time, etc.)
• Active Duty/Drilling Status

You have ten years from your last day of qualifying active duty time to use this benefit.

• Your 10-year window can be reset if you complete a new period of qualifying time.
• Submit a VA form 21-4138 and your DD 214 to your VA Regional Processing Center.

If on active duty, you can use the MGIB-AD as a “Top-UP” to your Federal Tuition Assistance.

• Under the Top-Up program, FTA will pay first then Ch 30 will pay the cost of tuition and fees that were not covered by FTA, not to exceed your monthly Ch 30 rate.
  • Example of Top-Up: Your total tuition is $1,000 for three semester hours and you are at the 100% tier:
    • Federal Tuition Assistance will pay $750.
    • Ch 30 will pay the $250 balance (tuition and fees only).

Optional Plus-Up program

• You may contribute up to an additional $600 ONLY while on Active Duty orders.
• The contribution will increase your monthly benefit up to $150 per month ($5 per month for every $20 contributed).
• Soldiers using Ch 30 while on Active Duty or AGR are not eligible to receive the Plus-Up payment.
• To elect the Plus-Up option, contact the GI Bill Support Team via email at: arng.esc.ch30@mail.mil

• Submit the Veterans Online Application to begin using at: https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
• Notify the VA Certifying Official at your school so they can verify your enrollment.
• Continue to verify your enrollment each month online at: https://www.va.gov/education/verify-school-enrollment/