Soldiers must meet minimal educational requirements before signing up for the Montgomery GI Bill. This includes a high school degree or graduate equivalent degree (GED). You can also qualify if you've completed at least 12 hours toward a college degree.
For those new to military service, the Montgomery GI Bill requires a $100 per month for 12 months in order to receive the benefits. For people who have served at least three years, they can enter the program without paying the $1,200 initial cost. For an additional contribution of up to $600, a member can receive additional funds up to $5,400 to pay for books and other related costs not covered by the GI bill.
For service requirements, members must have served at least three years of active duty and received an honorable discharge. However, benefits aren't limited to active duty veterans. Service in the National Guard under specific Title 32 requirements can also qualify you for the Montgomery GI Bill. You could still be eligible if you were separated early because of hardship, service-connected disability or a reduction in force. In these cases, you may not receive the entire 36 months of benefits.
Schools must also qualify for Montgomery GI Bill use. Fortunately, the types of education this bill can be used for are versatile. In addition to accredited college programs, the Montgomery GI Bill can pay for flight schools as long as they are not private pilot training schools. It can also pay for correspondence, apprenticeship and certain certification courses. Some independent study classes through accredited colleges can also be paid for by the bill.
When using the Montgomery GI Bill, it must be done within 10 years of separation, with certain exceptions such as active duty call up for active and inactive reservists or National Guard. Servicemen also receive 36 months of benefits. Again, the number of benefit months can be reduced in certain situations. If the Montgomery GI Bill is not used, the money invested will be returned to the government.