Post-9/11 GI Bill

Overview

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) is the signature education benefit for modern-era service members and veterans. It pays tuition and fees directly to approved schools, provides a tax-free monthly housing allowance based on the local Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate, and offers an annual book stipend. Eligible individuals can use the benefit for undergraduate and graduate degrees, vocational and technical programs, flight training, apprenticeships, licensing exams, and even some foreign schools. Additionally, service members may transfer unused benefits to spouses or dependents after meeting service commitments. Because the benefit is so generous and flexible, understanding the rules, timelines, and optimization strategies is essential to maximize its value.

Benefit Components

• Tuition and fees: Public in-state tuition is covered up to 100% based on your eligibility tier. Private and foreign schools have an annual cap ($27,120.05 for 2024–2025, adjusted yearly). The VA pays the school directly.
• Monthly housing allowance (MHA): Equal to the BAH rate for an E-5 with dependents at the school’s ZIP code, paid while you attend more than half-time. Online-only students receive half the national average. Active-duty members and some spouses do not receive MHA.
• Book stipend: Up to $1,000 per academic year ($41.67 per credit hour). Apprenticeship and on-the-job training participants receive a proportional stipend.
• One-time rural relocation payment: $500 for eligible veterans relocating at least 500 miles to attend school.
• Yellow Ribbon Program: Schools that charge above the VA cap can partner with the VA to split remaining tuition costs. Participation varies by institution, program level, and number of students.

Eligibility Tiers

Your percentage of benefits depends on aggregate active-duty service after September 10, 2001:

• 100%: 36+ months or 30 continuous days discharged for service-connected disability.
• 90%: 30–35 months.
• 80%: 24–29 months.
• 70%: 18–23 months.
• 60%: 12–17 months.
• 50%: 6–11 months.
• 40%: 90–179 days (no MHA or book stipend).

Reservists activated under certain authorities also qualify. Use the VA’s eligibility tool or consult your unit education officer to calculate qualifying time.

Application Steps

1. Confirm eligibility: Gather DD Form 214, orders, and service history. Log into VA.gov to review requirements.
2. Choose a program and school: Verify the institution is VA-approved using the GI Bill Comparison Tool. Review Yellow Ribbon participation and housing allowance rates.
3. Submit VA Form 22-1990 (or 22-1990E for transfers). Apply online through VA.gov or mail the paper form. Include your bank account for direct deposit.
4. Await Certificate of Eligibility (COE): The VA mails or uploads the COE within 30 days. Provide it to the school’s certifying official.
5. Enroll and certify attendance: The school submits enrollment certifications (VA Form 22-1999) to trigger payments. Respond to VA verification texts or emails monthly to confirm attendance.

Winning Strategies

• Plan your timeline. Benefits last 36 months of entitlement. Structure degree plans to avoid exhausting benefits mid-term. Consider summer courses strategically; they consume entitlement faster due to condensed schedules.
• Maximize in-state tuition status. Establish residency before separating from the military or choose schools honoring the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act, which requires in-state rates for certain veterans.
• Leverage Yellow Ribbon. If attending a private or graduate program exceeding VA caps, confirm the school’s Yellow Ribbon slots early. Some institutions offer unlimited matching; others cap the number of students or amount per student.
• Stack scholarships. GI Bill payments do not affect eligibility for federal aid, Pell Grants, or most scholarships. Use external scholarships to cover fees not paid by the VA (parking, lab, housing deposits) or to extend benefits by reducing credit loads.
• Combine with vocational rehab (VR&E). Some veterans qualify for Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31), which can cover tuition and provide stipends. You may switch between programs strategically with VA counselor approval.
• Use tutoring assistance. VA reimburses up to $100 per month (max $1,200) for tutor expenses. Submit VA Form 22-1990t with receipts.
• File for advance payment. New students can request advance payment to cover initial expenses. Coordinate with the school’s certifying official.

Transfer of Benefits

Service members can transfer unused benefits to spouses or dependents by committing to additional service:

• Must have completed at least six years of service and agree to serve four more.
• Request transfer through the DoD MilConnect portal before separating.
• Once approved, dependents apply for benefits with VA Form 22-1990E.
• Dependents may use benefits for tuition, housing (if attending more than half-time), and books. Spouses can start immediately; children must have a high school diploma or equivalent and use benefits before age 26.

Housing Allowance Optimization

• Class modality matters: MHA is calculated based on the physical campus where you take most credits. Hybrid courses usually count as in-person if there are scheduled classroom meetings.
• Rate-of-pursuit: You must attend more than 50% time to receive MHA. For semester systems, this means at least 7 credit hours for full-time equivalency; verify with your school.
• Break pay eliminated: The VA no longer pays MHA during breaks. Budget accordingly between semesters.
• Overseas programs: Foreign schools use a flat MHA rate equal to the national average. Factor this into housing plans before committing abroad.

Compliance Responsibilities

• Report enrollment changes. Dropping classes can create overpayments. Inform the school certifying official and VA immediately.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress. Schools must report probation, suspension, or withdrawal, which may affect payments.
• Verify attendance monthly. Respond to text or email prompts from the VA to avoid payment delays.
• File taxes wisely. GI Bill benefits are not taxable. However, scholarships may be taxable if used for non-qualified expenses. Keep records for IRS reporting.

Alternative Uses

• Vocational and technical training: Use benefits for trade schools, HVAC programs, coding bootcamps (if approved), or commercial driver’s license training.
• Flight training: Requires prior private pilot certification and enrollment in a VA-approved Part 141 school. Benefits cover tuition up to the annual cap.
• Apprenticeships and on-the-job training: Receive a percentage of the MHA that decreases as wages increase. Employers must be VA-approved.
• Licensing and certification tests: Reimbursement up to $2,000 per test (e.g., PMP, MCSE). No entitlement charge for failed tests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine Post-9/11 GI Bill with Montgomery GI Bill? You can use both, but combined entitlement is capped at 48 months. Some veterans switch from Montgomery to Post-9/11 to access higher benefits.

What if I already used benefits under another chapter? You may still have remaining entitlement. Request a benefits summary on VA.gov.

How do I handle delays? Contact the VA Education Call Center (888-442-4551) or use the Ask VA portal. Schools can place holds on accounts while payments are pending if you present your COE.

Does the benefit expire? Generally 15 years after discharge, but this time limit was removed for veterans discharged after January 1, 2013 (the “Forever GI Bill”).

Can I use it part-time? Yes. Payments adjust based on rate of pursuit. Part-time students receive proportional tuition coverage and MHA.

Resources and References

• VA – Post-9/11 GI Bill Overview
• GI Bill Comparison Tool
• Yellow Ribbon Program List
• DoD MilConnect Transfer Portal
• Student Veterans of America

Action Plan Checklist

1. 6–12 months before enrollment: Research schools, confirm VA approval, and plan residency status.
2. 4 months before start date: Submit VA Form 22-1990 or transfer request. Gather transcripts and evaluation of military training.
3. 2 months before: Provide COE to school, meet with certifying official, and finalize class schedule.
4. Start of term: Confirm certification sent to VA, budget for book purchases, and verify housing allowance schedule.
5. Each term: Monitor credit load, report changes, and keep receipts for tutoring or exams.

With strategic planning, the Post-9/11 GI Bill can cover nearly every educational expense, open doors to prestigious programs, and provide financial stability for families transitioning from military to civilian life.