Montgomery GI Bill vs Post-9/11 GI Bill: Which Should You Use?
Side-by-side comparison of the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) and the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) — coverage, housing, dependents, and the rare cases where MGIB still wins.
For nearly every veteran, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is more valuable than the Montgomery GI Bill because it covers full in-state tuition, a housing allowance, and a books stipend. MGIB pays a flat monthly amount to the student and only wins in rare cases — for example, very low-cost programs where the cash payout exceeds Post-9/11's tuition coverage.
Service members who paid the $1,200 Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) buy-in often wonder whether to use MGIB or switch to the newer Post-9/11 GI Bill. The answer is almost always Post-9/11 — but not always, and the switch is one-way.
How Each Program Pays
Post-9/11 (Chapter 33)
- VA pays in-state tuition directly to the school
- Monthly housing allowance (MHA) paid to the veteran
- Books and supplies stipend up to $1,000/year
- Yellow Ribbon coverage at participating schools
- Transferable to dependents under specific rules
Montgomery (Chapter 30)
- Flat monthly cash payment to the veteran (around $2,438 full-time in 2024)
- Veteran pays the school directly
- No separate housing allowance — included in the monthly payment
- No transfer to dependents
- Requires a $1,200 buy-in during active duty
When Each Wins
Post-9/11 wins for…
- Public university students — tuition is fully covered plus housing
- Veterans in high-BAH metro areas (San Diego, DC, Boston, NYC)
- Veterans who want to transfer benefits to family
- Private school students using Yellow Ribbon
Montgomery occasionally wins for…
- Very low-cost programs where the flat monthly cash exceeds Post-9/11's tuition reimbursement
- Online-only programs in low-BAH areas
- Veterans pursuing programs that don't generate Post-9/11 MHA (e.g., correspondence courses paid at a lower rate)
Whichever program you choose, want to make sure you're getting every dollar it offers?
Learn How to Maximize Your GI BillSwitching From MGIB to Post-9/11
You can elect to convert your MGIB to Post-9/11 — but the election is irrevocable. Also, if you used some MGIB months before switching, the VA will refund a prorated portion of your $1,200 buy-in only after you exhaust your Post-9/11 benefits.
Some careful veterans use a few MGIB months, then switch to Post-9/11 — a strategy known as the 'MGIB buyback,' which can return part or all of the $1,200 contribution. Run the math with your school's certifying official before committing.
The MGIB Kicker
Some service members earned a kicker (extra monthly amount) on top of MGIB. Kickers are usually portable into Post-9/11 elections. Verify yours by checking your contract or DD-2366.
Why the School Certifying Official Matters Here
Every VA-approved school has a designated certifying official whose job includes helping students navigate exactly this decision. Since the MGIB-to-Post-9/11 election is irrevocable, running your specific numbers — your program cost, your school's ZIP code for MHA purposes, and your remaining MGIB months — past that official before signing anything is worth the extra day it takes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Electing to switch without modeling Post-9/11 housing allowance for your school's ZIP.
- Forgetting that the election is irrevocable.
- Ignoring the MGIB buyback strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
If you're on the fence, Post-9/11 wins for the vast majority of veterans — but the right answer depends on your school, ZIP code, and whether you want to transfer benefits. Talk to your school's certifying official before making an irrevocable election.
Whichever program you choose, want to make sure you're getting every dollar it offers?
Learn How to Maximize Your GI Bill