What does the Post- 9/11 GI Bill cover?
You may receive benefits for any approved program offered by a school in the United States that is authorized to grant an associate (or higher) degree. Visit our website at www.GIBILL.VA.GOV/GI_Bill_Info/programs.htm to verify that the program at your school, or the program at the school you would like to attend, is approved. You may also receive benefits for tutorial assistance or up to $2,000 for the reimbursement of one licensing or certification test. If you transferred to the Post-9/11 GI Bill from the Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty, Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserves, or the Reserve Education Assistance Program, you may also receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for flight training, apprenticeship or on-the-job training programs, and correspondence courses.
Can I transfer my entitlement to my dependents?
If you are a member of the Armed Forces on August 1, 2009, the Department of Defense (DoD) may offer you the opportunity to transfer benefits to your spouse or dependent children. DoD and the military services will issue policy on entitlement to transferability in the coming months. Visit www.GIBILL.VA.GOV for up-to-date information on this and other education benefits.
When Can I Receive Benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
Post-9/11 GI Bill 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.
Am I Eligible?
You may be eligible if you served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after September 10, 2001, and you are still on active duty or were honorably–
- discharged from the active duty; or
- released from active duty and placed on the retired list or temporary disability retired list; or
- released from active duty and transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve; or
- released from the active duty for further service in a reserve component of the Armed Forces.
You may also be eligible if you were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001.
If I am eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill- Selected Reserve, or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program, am I eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill?
If, on August 1, 2009, you are eligible for one of these programs and you qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may make an irrevocable election to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Note: Once you elect to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you will no longer be eligible to receive benefits under the program from which
you elected the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
How much will I receive?
Based on your length of active duty service, you are entitled to a percentage of the following:
- Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state ndergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education (paid to school);
- Monthly housing allowance* equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as your school (paid to you);
- Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year (paid to you); and – A one-time payment of $500 paid to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas.
*NOTE – The housing allowance and books and supplies stipend are not payable to individuals on active duty. The housing allowance is not payable to those pursuing raining at half time or less or to individuals enrolled in distance learning.
| Individuals serving an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of: | Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable |
|---|---|
| At least 36 months | 100 |
| At least 30 continuous days and discharged due to service- 100 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 |
How many months of assistance can I receive?
Generally, you may receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
How long am I eligible?
You will be eligible for benefits for 15 years from your last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days. If you were released for a service-connected disability after at least 30 days of continuous service, you will also be eligible for benefits for 15 years.
Example: Tuition and fees for full-time enrollment: $6700. Highest in-state tuition and fees: $7000.
Scenario 1: If you separated following three years on active duty and are going to school full-time, you would receive $6700 for tuition and fees, $1000 for books and supplies, and the monthly housing allowance.
Scenario 2: If you have an aggregate of 12 months of active duty in the guard or reserves and are going to school full-time, you would receive $4020 (60% of $6700) for tuition and fees, $600 (60% of $1000) for books and supplies, and 60% of the monthly housing allowance.