For veterans and active-duty servicemembers looking to fund their education, the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD), also known as Chapter 30, provides financial support for college, vocational training, and other approved programs.
The monthly payment amount you receive in 2025 depends on several factors, including your length of service, enrollment status, and additional benefits you may qualify for.
Chapter 30 monthly payment rates for 2025
The MGIB-AD payment structure varies based on whether you served at least three continuous years on active duty or between two and three years.
Here’s how the rates are set for the 2024-2025 period:
For Veterans Who Served at Least 3 Continuous Years
If you completed at least three years of active duty, your monthly payments for full-time enrollment at a college or university are:
- Full-time enrollment: $2,438.00 per month
- Three-quarter-time enrollment: $1,828.50 per month
- Half-time enrollment: $1,219.00 per month
- Less than half-time but more than one-quarter-time: $1,219.00 per month (or the cost of tuition and fees, whichever is lower)
- Quarter-time enrollment or less: $609.50 per month (or tuition and fees, whichever is lower)
For non-degree programs such as vocational or trade schools, the payment rates mirror those of traditional higher education programs.
If you are enrolled in on-the-job training or apprenticeships, your monthly payments will adjust over time:
- Months 1-6: $1,828.50 per month
- Months 7-12: $1,340.90 per month
- After the first year: $853.30 per month
For specialized training such as flight school, the VA covers 60% of approved costs, while correspondence courses receive 55% reimbursement.
Licensing and certification test fees may be covered up to $2,000, with entitlement reductions based on total reimbursement amounts.
For Veterans Who Served Between 2 and 3 Years
If you served between two and three years, your benefits are slightly lower:
- Full-time enrollment: $1,978.00 per month
- Three-quarter-time enrollment: $1,483.50 per month
- Half-time enrollment: $989.00 per month
- Less than half-time but more than one-quarter-time: $989.00 per month (or tuition and fees, whichever is lower)
- Quarter-time enrollment or less: $494.50 per month (or tuition and fees, whichever is lower)
On-the-job training and apprenticeship rates are as follows:
- Months 1-6: $1,483.50 per month
- Months 7-12: $1,087.90 per month
- After the first year: $692.30 per month
The same reimbursement rules apply for flight training, correspondence courses, and testing fees as they do for veterans who served three or more years.
Chapter 30 additional benefits and eligibility updates
Thanks to the recent Rudisill decision, veterans with multiple qualifying active-duty periods may now be eligible for up to 48 months of combined benefits under the MGIB-AD and Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Even if you previously opted out of Chapter 30 benefits, you may now have access to them again.
Additionally, if you contribute to the $600 Buy-Up Program or have a kicker (college fund bonus), you could receive higher monthly payments.
With updated payment rates for 2025, it’s essential to understand how much you qualify for based on your service history and education type.
Be sure to explore additional funding options like the $600 Buy-Up Program or college fund kickers to maximize your benefits.
For more details or assistance, visit the VA website or call 888-442-4551.