House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

The Montgomery GI Bill

Active duty servicemembers may receive up to 36 months of benefits for the Montgomery G.I. Bill (MGIB).  VA education benefits may be used by certain service members while on active or have been honorable discharged. 

Effective October 1, 2006, MGIB-Active Duty entitlements are $1,075 per month for a full time student, $806.25 per month for a ¾ time student, and $537.50 per month for a ½ time student.  Eligibility expires 10 years after the service member’s discharge.  To find more about MGIB benefits, click on the following link for the GI Bill Website information provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Public Law 107-103, the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001, provided a 46-percent increase in the monthly rate of Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) benefits for full-time students.  Public Law 107-103 also increased the monthly rate by 10-percent for dependent spouses and children.

As of October 2006, the monthly rate for full-time students is currently $1,075.00 per month.

A veteran can also use MGIB benefits toward occupational licensing or credentialing certification.

Vocational Rehabilitation

In April 2004, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs received recommendations from the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service Task Force, established by Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The Honorable Dorcas Hardy chaired the Task Force. VA is implementing much of the reports’ many recommendations.

Currently, qualifying disabled veterans can receive the following assistance, depending on individual needs:

VA pays 100 percent of the costs as well as a living allowance to veterans who participate in training.  Generally, veterans have 12 years from the date of disability to use the vocational rehabilitation program.