The GI Bill is a powerful education benefit for Veterans, covering tuition, housing, books, and more. But how much does it actually pay if you’re taking online classes? Read on to learn exactly what the current GI Bill online class benefits include.
GI Bill Overview
The GI Bill helps Veterans go to college or career training after active duty. There are a few types of GI Bill programs:
-
Post-9/11 GI Bill – For those who served after September 10 2001. Most comprehensive coverage.
-
Montgomery GI Bill – For those who enlisted before 9/11. More limited benefits.
-
Reserve GI Bill – For reservists with qualifying service.
This article will focus on Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for online classes
Online Class Tuition Coverage
For online classes, the GI Bill pays up to the full public in-state tuition and fees for the school. For 2022-2023, the maximum coverage is:
-
Public School: Full in-state tuition and fees
-
Private School: Up to $26,381.11 per year
The VA will send tuition payments directly to your school. You just pay any remainder balance.
Online Class Housing Allowance
Housing allowances help cover rent and living expenses while in school. For online classes, here’s the housing allowance:
-
Full-Time: $1,050.50 per month
-
3/4 Time: $788.25 per month
-
1/2 Time: $525 per month
The housing payment depends on your course load. Taking at least one in-person class can qualify you for a higher housing rate based on your school’s location.
Book and Supply Stipends
You can receive up to $1,000 per year for textbooks and supplies. This payment comes directly to you at the start of each term.
In Total
Let’s look at an example. For one year of full-time online classes at a public university, here is the approximate GI Bill coverage:
-
Tuition: $25,162 (in-state rate example)
-
Housing Allowance: $12,606 ($1,050.50 x 12 months)
-
Book Stipend: $1,000
Total: $38,768
This demonstrates the substantial value of the GI Bill for online education.
Things to Know About Using GI Bill Online
-
GI Bill pays similar benefits for online versus in-person schools.
-
Taking one classroom course qualifies you for the higher housing rate.
-
GI Bill has a cap on total benefits that can be used.
-
You must be enrolled in VA-approved online programs.
-
Active duty members receive a lower housing allowance.
The best way to maximize your education benefits is to research schools and programs carefully. Make sure to consider all costs and explore other resources like scholarships and financial aid.
How to Apply and Use GI Bill Benefits
Follow these key steps to start using your GI Bill benefits:
-
Apply – Submit an online application through Vets.gov.
-
VA Approval – VA will determine your eligibility and send a Certificate of Eligibility.
-
School Certifying Official – Notify your SCO to certify your enrollment.
-
Verify Attendance – Confirm your enrollment each month to release payments.
Be sure to apply for benefits 1-2 months before classes start so everything is processed in time. Also connect with your school’s VA/SCO office for assistance.
Questions to Ask About Using GI Bill for Online Classes
-
What is the total tuition per credit? How many credits per term?
-
Does my program/classes meet VA requirements for benefit use?
-
Will I owe anything extra beyond the GI Bill coverage?
-
Who is my VA School Certifying Official (SCO) contact?
-
How will I verify my enrollment with VA each month?
-
Is there a Veteran center on campus I can connect with?
Getting answers to these questions will help you maximize your education benefits.
Alternatives If GI Bill Benefits Are Exhausted
If you’ve used all your GI Bill entitlement, there may still be options:
-
Scholarships – Tap into military scholarships and veteran-specific aid.
-
Financial Aid – Apply for federal or private student loans if eligible.
-
Tuition Assistance – Get up to $4,000 per year if still in the reserves.
-
Employee Education Benefits – Check with your employer for tuition reimbursement programs.
-
Vocational Rehabilitation – If you have a service-connected disability, you may qualify for up to 48 months of additional education benefits through Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E).
Don’t let GI Bill benefits running out stop your education goals. With a bit of research, you can find alternatives to continue funding your online classes and career preparation.
Final Tips for Using GI Bill for Online Classes
-
Take notes on all VA correspondence and phone calls.
-
Keep everything related to your education benefits organized.
-
Thoroughly review your options if thinking about transferring schools.
-
Be patient – processing times for initial applications can take several weeks.
-
Reach out early for help if payments are delayed or issues arise.
Navigating GI Bill benefits involves attention to detail and organization. Staying proactive and focused will help ensure your online education proceeds smoothly.
The GI Bill Offers Outstanding Benefits for Online Learning
The GI Bill provides tremendous financial support for Veterans taking online classes. This includes covering tuition, fees, housing, books, and more. Understanding exactly what expenses are covered for online programs helps Veterans maximize education benefits. There are also alternative resources available if GI Bill entitlement is exhausted. With proper planning, online learning can be an affordable, flexible option thanks to the exceptional support of the GI Bill.
Money for books and supplies
You may be eligible for up to $1,000 each academic year for books and supplies. We base your payment on how many courses you’re enrolled in for the year and the percentage of benefits you’re eligible for.
We’ll pay this money to you at the beginning of each term or enrollment period.
Eligibility for a percentage of benefits if you served less than 36 months
If you served on active duty for less than 1,095 days (36 months), you’re eligible for only part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit. We base the percentage you’re eligible for on the total amount of time you served on active duty (with or without breaks in service). We call this your “eligibility tier.”
Find the percentage of the full benefit you’re eligible for:
- 910 to 1,094 days (30 to 35 months): 90% of the full benefit
- 730 to 909 days (24 to 29 months): 80% of the full benefit
- 545 to 729 days (18 to 23 months): 70% of the full benefit
- 180 to 544 days (6 to 17 months): 60% of the full benefit
- 90 to 179 days (90 days to 5 months): 50% of the full benefit
The rates listed on this page are for 100% percent of the full benefit. If you’re eligible for a percentage of the full benefit, multiply the rates on this page by your percentage. This will give you the amount of your yearly payment.
Full BAH Benefits for Student Veterans in Online Programs
Can I take GI Bill online classes?
GI Bill Online Classes – Learn How to Use Your Benefits Find out what the education benefits and how you can use the old or new post 9/11 GI bill for online classes, degrees, and higher education.
How much does GI Bill Pay?
Here are the key components: 1.**Tuition and Fees**: The GI Bill can pay your **full tuition and fees** at school.The exact amount depends on the type of institution you attend (public, private, or foreign)
Can I use the GI Bill for distance learning?
You can use the GI Bill for independent and distance learning online. If you’re using your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits while taking only distance-learning courses, we’ll pay a housing allowance based on 50% of the national average. View current payment rates You can use the GI Bill for independent and distance learning online.
Does the GI Bill cover school tuition?
If you are attending a public school as an in-state resident and the tuition is $10,000 a semester, the Post-9/11 GI Bill would cover 80% of your tuition and fees, or $8,000. Active-duty time can also include Title 10 mobilizations for reserve and National Guard members. Details on GI Bill payment percentages.