The recent implementation of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, more commonly known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, expanded educational benefits for the nearly 2 million men and women who have served in the armed forces since September 11, 2001. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most comprehensive investment in veterans’ education benefits since the original GI Bill of Rights signed in 1944. These benefits may cover up to the full cost of an undergraduate education at any public university of college – and some private schools for our nation’s newest generation of veterans. In addition to tuition and fees, many veterans will receive a stipend for housing, books and supplies, and may also, in some cases, be transferred to a veteran’s family members.
You have earned these benefits, which can be used at more than 4,000 institutions nationwide, but you should use them carefully. There are many factors to consider when choosing a school, please review your options carefully.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill initially launched in August 1, 2009. Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational/technical training, on-the-job training, flight training, correspondence training, licensing and national testing programs, and tutorial assistance. All training programs must be approved for GI Bill benefits.
The Post 9-11 GI Bill will pay eligible individuals:
This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty. The Post-9/11 GI Bill also offers some service members the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill to dependents.
The Montgomery GI Bill also provides up to 36 months of education benefits. It may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.
In order to be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill, you must pay $1,200 into the program initially. The Montgomery GI Bill provides a set monthly payment, which is sent directly to the veteran each month the veteran is enrolled in classes. The current monthly payment is set at $1,473 for full-time students. Different rates apply if you are enrolled less than full-time.
For more information on making the most of your benefits, click the links to the left – or below.
Please click the following links for information on all GI Bill programs:
The first step toward taking advantage of your GI Bill benefits is to determine what your level of eligibility is – and what exactly you’re eligible for. Once you’re equipped with that information, you can begin calculating your benefits and applying them toward school tuition and fees.
Before you begin calculating your benefits, it’s a good idea to review the general benefit payment categories. These include: tuition and fees, monthly housing stipend, and books and supplies. You might also be interested to learn about your prospects for transferring benefits to your loved ones.
This section provides a real-life example of using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to pay for a school that exceeds the maximum tuition and fees covered. Instutions of higher learning and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are working together to make attending your college of choice financially possible.
