The Army Active Duty MGIB Kicker program provides bonus payments to servicemen and women. The money received is added to the recipient’s education benefit plan. Specific rules are in place to determine who is eligible to receive the extra payments.
Basic Overview of MGIB Kicker
The MGIB Kicker program is an extension of the Army’s Montgomery Bill education benefits program. It provides rewards for personnel who sign up for long-term contracts or who have specific skills.
Under the provisions of the MGIB program, Army personnel contribute $100 per month from their regular pay to their education fund. This amount is deducted for one year.
The money from the education benefit can be used to pay for educational programs, either while the soldier is on active duty status or after he or she is honorably discharged. Funding will be provided from the program for 10 years after the last day of active duty service.
The education benefit can be used to pay for a number of different types of educational programs, including:
- Apprenticeship training
- Business school courses
- College courses leading to a Bachelor’s or graduate degree
- Flight training
- Online or correspondence programs
- Trade or vocational school courses
The Army determines the amount that someone who has received an MGIB Kicker will receive in benefits. Eligible servicemen and women who are studying on a full-time basis can receive payments under the plan for up to 36 months.
How to Qualify for the Montgomery Bill Kicker
All personnel who qualify for MGIB can be considered for the Montgomery Bill Kicker. The Army offers kickers as an incentive to choose a particular career within the Service. A recruit who agrees to take on one of the “critical skill positions” the Army is looking to fill. The exact list of critical skills will vary from time to time, but may include the following:
- Aircrew Protection
- Civil Engineer
- Fuels
- Intelligence
- Linguist Debriefer/Interrogator
- Manned Aerospace Maintenance
- Transportation & Vehicle Maintenance
- Manned Aerospace Maintenance
- Medical Services
- Munitions and Weapons
Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have the required skills and abilities to do the job. In some cases, they may have to write specialized tests, such as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
Limitations of MGIB Kicker
Not all types of educational programs can be funded using money from the MGIB Kicker benefit. The Army’s education benefit plan will only help to pay for courses and programs which will help the recipient qualify for a promotion within the Service or prepare for a career after being honorably discharged.
The decision of whether to sign on for a long-term contract or choose a specific military career should not be made based solely on whether a recruit will receive an MGIB Kicker as a benefit. The bonuses are awarded at the Army’s discretion and not everyone who takes on a critical skills role will receive one.
Getting Started with MGIB Kicker
The first step to being eligible to receive MGIB Kicker benefits is to sign up for the MGIB program. Agreeing to pay the $100 per month for 12 months is standard procedure for recruits, and soldiers who are enrolled in MGIB may be considered for Kicker payments.
All personnel eligible for MGIB Kicker payments must have a high school diploma or a GED (General Educational Development) certificate. Benefit recipients must also serve a minimum of two years on active duty before applying to receive funding for educational purposes.
Additional Information About the Montgomery Bill Kicker
A soldier who wants to access his or her MGIB Kicker benefits will need to contact the Veterans’ Administration (VA). The benefit is paid out monthly along with the regular MGIB payment and is available to full-time students as well as those studying on part-time basis.
Application forms to access education benefit funding are available from the Veteran’s Administration (VA). The person filling out the form will be asked to provide information about his or her military service, education and employment history.
The application form is submitted to the VA before the applicant chooses a school to attend. If the MGIB Kicker and regular MGIB benefits will be used to pay for tuition and other school expenses directly, the recipient will need to direct the VA to do so after being accepted into a program.
The MGIB Kicker program provides bonus payments to Army personnel in specific circumstances. The money is in addition to the regular MGIB education benefits the soldier would be entitled to. If awarded, the bonus may be used to pay for the cost of higher education for a period of 10 years after being honorably discharged from the Army.