The Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty, also known as MGIB - AD or Chapter 30 of Title 38, US Code, is an educational assistance program enacted by Congress to attract highly qualified men and women into the US Armed Forces. You may be eligible to receive MGIB benefits after you have separated or retired from active duty.

The Montgomery GI Bill has different sets of eligibility requirements based on your active duty service. The benefits available under each category may vary depending on your particular situation and length of active service. You need meet only one set of eligibility requirements to obtain benefits.

The basic requirements for eligibility under Chapter 30 are:

• You must be a member of the armed forces after 30 June 1985
• You must have contributed the amount required
• You must have received an honorable discharge
• You must have a high school diploma, GED certificate, or having completed 12 semester hours leading to a college degree prior to completing the initial obligated period of active duty, and completing your initial obligated period of active duty.

If you were separated from active duty for reasons that could be classified as "convenience of the government," you may be eligible for Chapter 30 benefits without meeting the length of service requirement. Additional forms of eligibility include:

• Chapter 34/30 conversion
• Chapter 32/30 conversion
• Involuntary separation with an honorable discharge
• Voluntary separation with VSI or SSB, and an honorable discharge

Monthly Payments under Chapter 30 will depend on time in service, which branch of service you were in, and the amount of hours taken each semester.

Money that you contributed under Chapter 30 is not refundable. To further review your benefits under Chapter 30 click on VA Pamphlet 22-90-2.

To begin the process of applying for Chapter 30 benefits veterans using their benefits for the FIRST TIME are required to complete the following paperwork and bring the following items to the UNO Veterans Services Office for processing:

1. VA Form 22-1990 - Application for VA Education Benefits. Click on the form number and print out, then fill in applicable information.
2. Copy of DD Form 214, member copy #4. Lost your DD Form 214 click here.
3. Void check or routing number and account number of your bank if you wish to use direct deposit to receive your monthly stipend.
4. If you elected to contribute $600.00 to the VA "Buy-Up Program" we can send copies of your paperwork along with your application to ensure the VA has copies. This program is available to active duty members already eligible for Chapter 30 and who first entered active duty after 30 June 1985. Paperwork need is:
   1. Veteran's Educational Assistance Act of 1984 (GI Bill), DD Form 2366
   2. Copy of your Leave and Earning Statements (LES's) - if you used payroll deductions or
   3. Cash Collection Voucher, DD Form 1131 - Cash Voucher if you paid in cash

Students transferring the use of their benefits to UNO from another college or university are required to complete the following paperwork and bring to the UNO Veterans Services Office for processing:

1. VA Form 22-1995 - Request for Change of Program or Place of Training. Click on the form number and print out, then fill in applicable information.