Calculate Benefits
Length of service, location of school, type of program (campus or online) and enrollment level (full- or part-time) are all factors in determining the amount of your benefits. A detailed calculator is available, but you may first want to review the general benefit payment categories.
What am I Eligible For?
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees are paid directly to your school and are capped at the highest amount of tuition and fees charged for in-state, full-time, undergraduate training at a public institution. Tuition and fees are capped separately; a chart showing the caps can be found here. As a result, attendance at an in-state public institution will be covered with little or no out-of-pocket expenses. If you are attending a private or out of state institution, you may be eligible for payment under the Yellow Ribbon program (see below).
Veterans who served less than 36 total months on active duty will receive a percentage of the tuition and fees. For example, if a veteran who served six months on active duty is charged $3,000 per term for tuition and $500 for fees, he or she would receive 50 percent of the tuition and fees charged ($1,500 per term for tuition and $250 for fees). If the veteran is still on active duty, the amount is not capped.
| Individuals serving an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of: | Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable |
|---|---|
| At least 36 months; or at least 30 continuous days and discharged due to service-connected disability | 100 |
| At least 30 months < 36 months | 90 |
| At least 24 months < 30 months | 80 |
| At least 18 months < 24 months | 70 |
| At least 12 months < 18 months | 60 |
| At least 6 months < 12 months | 50 |
| At least 90 days < 6 months | 40 |
Monthly Housing Stipend
This portion of the benefit is paid directly to the veteran each month he or she is enrolled in classes. The housing stipend is based on the institution’s zip code. Enter your school’s zip code here to find out what your rate is.
Veterans pursuing class half-time will not receive the housing stipend. So, be sure to check what is considered half-time at your institution. The same goes for students pursuing programs of study that are entirely online.
Veterans who served less than 36 total months on active duty will receive a percentage of the monthly housing stipend. For example, if the veteran served six months on active duty and the allowance is $1,000 per month, the veteran would receive 50 percent of the $1,000 each month ($500).
Veterans still on active duty will not receive the housing stipend.
Books and Supplies
Veterans are eligible for up to $1,000 annual stipend for books and supplies. This payment is made directly to the student, and is paid at the rate of $41.67 per credit hour. You may find that if you take 15 credits your first semester ($625.05), you will only be eligible for $374.95 for the second semester, so it is advisable to create a budget.
Veterans who served less than 36 total months on active duty will receive a percentage of the books and supplies stipend. For example, if the veteran served six months on active duty, the veteran would receive a maximum of $500 annually.
Veterans on active duty will not receive the books and supplies stipend.
Transferability
Eligible veterans may transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a dependent if the veteran has already served at least six years on active duty or in the National Guard or Reserves. The veteran must first reenlist for four more years of service on or after August 1, 2009. (Note: If the veteran is eligible to retire before four years expire, the veteran simply needs to finish his or her service obligation before retiring in order to transfer the benefit). The veteran’s dependents must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) at the time of transferability in order to transfer benefits.
Child
In order to transfer your benefits to your child, he or she must be under age 23. If over 18, your child must already be enrolled in college upon receiving the benefit. Children cannot use the benefits until their service member has served 10 years. They have until age 26 to use the benefit, and they will receive the housing stipend regardless of whether the veteran is on active duty.
Spouse
Your wife or husband must use the benefit immediately upon transfer. If you are still on active duty while your spouse is using the benefit, she or he will not receive the housing allowance.
Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision designed to cover the costs of an education that exceeds the cost of an in-state, undergraduate, public education. When schools enter the Yellow Ribbon Program, they agree to pay up to 50 percent of the remaining cost. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs then matches what the school contributes. Imagine the tuition cap in your state is $10,000, but the private school you want to attend costs $15,000. The school might agree to contribute 50 percent of the remaining cost – $2,500. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will then match the $2,500, for a total of $5,000. And the entire sum of $15,000 will be covered.
You should be aware that schools must re-sign their Yellow Ribbon Program agreements annually, and they are not obligated to participate beyond this. In order to qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program, you must be eligible for the 100 percent tier of the benefit: 36 months of active duty or 30 consecutive days and a discharge because of a service-connected disability.
Check here to see if your school or program is a Yellow Ribbon Program participant.
Still Have Questions?
It may be best to speak directly with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. You can e-mail a benefits counselor by clicking hereand selecting the “Ask a Question” tab. Be sure to keep records of communication, and get the name and title of the individual who helps you, in case you have more questions later on. Follow the same protocol when contacting the GI Bill hotline toll-free at 888-442-4551.
You can also contact the admissions or financial aid office at the institution you are considering, and ask to speak to the veterans’ coordinator on campus.