Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 G.I. Bill
What is the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill?
The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill is the newest version of the program. The program includes several types of benefits. These benefits last up to 36 months, with amounts based on the length and nature of your service. Post 9/11 benefits are available for:
- Undergraduate and Graduate degrees from accredited universities
- On-the-Job and Apprenticeship training,
- Non-College Degree Programs,
- Flight Programs, and
- Correspondence training
The Post 9/11 GI Bill has a few specific components that are unavailable in other GI Bill programs including:
Eligibility
You may be eligible if you served at least 90 days total on active duty after September 10, 2001, or were honorably discharged from active duty for s service-connected disability after serving 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001. This includes service as a National Guard member either:
- under Title 32 U.S.C. for organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training, or
- under Section 502(f) of Title 32 for responding to a national emergency
If your release from active duty was before January 1, 2013, there is a 15-year time limitation for use of benefits. If your discharge date is on or after January 1, 2013 there is no time limitation.
Benefits
- The program pays money directly to the school you are attending to cover your tuition fees. If you are attending an in-state public school, the VA will pay your full tuition and fees. If you are attending a private or foreign school, the VA will pay up to $17,500 per academic year. If you are attending an out-of-state school, the VA will pay you only the amount charged by an in-state school (typically a much lower amount). Thus, you may end up having to cover the difference, unless you can qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program or some other form of financial aid.
- The program pays you money directly to help with everyday living expenses. The VA will pay you basic housing allowance at an "E-5 with dependants" rate at the location off your school. This payment is reduced by a percentage depending on how long you served.
- The VA will pay you an annual book stipend of up to $1,000 yearly based on the number of credits you are taking.
- You can use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for tutorial assistance, licensing (like an attorney license or cosmetology license) and national certification tests (like SAT or LSAT).
How to apply and is there more information?
Apply online using the VA's application process. You can also go to the VA website for more information or use this GI Bill Comparison Tool.
Please note: The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed some aspects of the VA educational benefits, particularly if you are currently receiving them. Be sure to review this VA website for any temporary changes due to COVID.
