Montgomery GI Bill, VA increase benefits, higher education opportunities Published Aug. 10, 2007 By Wayne Benson 341st Mission Support Squadron MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Certain active-duty servicemembers are eligible to increase their Montgomery GI Bill benefits to $5,400 by making a maximum contribution of $600. The MGIB "Buy Up" program, also known as the MGIB Kicker or MGIB Plus-up, provides an additional opportunity to add to the basic entitlements implemented by Public Law 106-419 on May 1, 2001. Benefit information - Participants may contribute a maximum of $600; - Contributions are not refundable; - The minimum contribution is $20 and is made in increments of $4; - Unlike the $1,200 pay reduction, the contributions do not offer participants a tax benefit; - Contributions increase the monthly benefit by $1 for each $4 contribution; - Contributions can be started and ceased at any time while the participant is on active-duty; and - The maximum $5,400 benefit is achieved by contributing $600 and receiving 36 months of full-time benefits. An example would be: If someone contributes $600, the monthly benefit rate will increase by $150. With a basic full-time student rate of $1,075 (based on completing an obligation of three years or more), the monthly rate would then increase to $1,225. Eligibility (These requirements cannot be waived) - This benefit is only open to those active-duty servicemembers who first use the MGIB; - Eligible participants may make contributions at any time while on active-duty up to their date of separation; and - The benefit is not open to Vietnam-era (Ch. 34/30 "rollover") personnel or Veterans Educational Assistance Program convertees. Enrollment and contribution procedures - Education center staff counsel participants regarding the program benefits at the base education and training center, building 1240 to fill out a DD Form 2366; - Participant hand carries a copy of the DD Form 2366 to the finance office to complete the process; - Contributions may be made by pay deduction, separation pay, in cash, by cashiers check or money order made payable to the local finance office; - Finance office staff confirms the contribution providing the participant with a DD Form 1131. (Note: It is very important to safeguard this document. People must send a copy to - Veterans Affairs to prove contributions have been made to this program.); and Submit the form to the school in advance. As with the basic MGIB, this benefit is not transferable to family members. Additional information on this and many other veterans education programs are available at www.gibill.va.gov/. For more information, call Wayne Benson at 731-3533 or Melissa Laferriere at 731-4222.