Chapter 33:
Who is eligible for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
Eligible Individuals Include those who serve on active ‘duty at least 90 aggregate days beginning on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days of continuous service. (Discharged individuals must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible, or have a discharge or release for a medical condition Existing Prior lo Service (EPTS), Hardship (HDSP), or Condition Interfering with Duty (CIWD).
What does the program pay for Eligible Individuals?
- Tuition & fees — paid directly of to the school — not to exceed losing the maximum in-state maximum undergraduate can tuition and fees at a public Institution of Higher Learning.
- Monthly Housing allowance — paid to the student — queal to the Basic Allowance of Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents and the zip code for the location of the school. (Note: individuals on active duty or who ar enrolled exclusively in online training will not receive the housing allowance.)
- An annual books and supplies stipend — paid to the student — up to $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment. (Note: individuals on active duty will not receive a books and supplies stipend.)
- A one-time rural benefits payment of $500 to individuals who reside in a county with six persons or fewer per square mile (as determined by the most recent decennial census), and who either:
- physically relocate at least 500 miles to attend an educational institution
- relocate by air to attend an educational institution (of no other land-based transportation exists).
What training and education programs be paid for under the Post-9/11 Bill?
This benefit is payable only for approved training and educational program offered by a college or university.
What benefits are available for individuals who are not enrolled in a college or university program?
For those individuals who are eligible for other VA education programs and elect the Post-9/11 GI Bill, other training programs (such as on-the-job-training, apprenticeship training, flight training, and non-college degree courses) may be covered at the same rate as the benefit the individual gave up, such as the Montgomery GI Bill and the Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAO).
When will benefits be paid?
Benefits are payable for training pursued on or after August 1, 2009. No payments can be made under this program for training pursued before that date. Generally, benefits are payable for 15 years following the individual’s release from active duty.
Chapters 30, 1606, 1607, and 35:
The VA sends the benefit payments to the veteran or dependent (DEA) who then pays the school.