How Much Does the GI Bill Pay for College? A Complete Guide

The GI Bill is one of the most generous education benefits programs in the country, providing crucial financial support for veterans pursuing college degrees or vocational training But how much does the GI Bill actually pay? The answer depends on which GI Bill program you use, your length of military service, the type of school you attend, and other factors

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down exactly how much you can expect to receive from the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the most widely used education program for veterans.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Overview

The Post-9/11 GI Bill, which started in 2009, gives veterans who served at least 90 days of active duty after September 10, 2001, a lot of benefits. Not like older GI Bills, the Post-9/11 version pays for more than just tuition and fees. Eligible veterans can receive money for housing, books, and other education-related costs.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays benefits directly to the student and their school. The main types of payments include:

• Tuition and fees payment sent directly to the school
• Monthly housing allowance sent to the student
• Annual book and supplies stipend sent to the student
• Rural benefit payment for those relocating from highly rural areas
• Yellow Ribbon payment to supplement costs at expensive private schools

How Much the GI Bill Pays for Tuition

After September 11, the GI Bill pays up to the full cost of tuition and fees at public colleges and universities in the same state. For 2023-2024, the maximum coverage is:

• Up to $27,120.05 per year at private and foreign schools
• Unlimited tuition and fees at public schools
• Up to $27,120.05 per year for vocational programs

Keep in mind that the Post-9/11 GI Bill pays a percentage of the maximum coverage based on your length of active duty service

• 100% for 36 months or more of active duty service
• 90% for 30-35 months
• 80% for 24-29 months
• 70% for 18-23 months
• 60% for 6-17 months
• 50% for 90 days to 5 months

So if you served for 2 years on active duty you would qualify for 80% of the full benefit.

Monthly Housing Allowance

One of the best things about the Post-9/11 GI Bill is that it pays for housing each month while you are in school. For 2023-2024, housing allowances are paid at the following rates:

• $2,109 per month for foreign schools
• Up to $1,054.50 per month for fully online programs
• Unlimited monthly allowance equal to the military BAH for your school’s location and your dependent status for in-person programs

Housing allowances are also prorated based on length of service and course load.

Book and Supply Stipends

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides an annual book and supply stipend of up to $1,000 per academic year to help pay for books, laptops, supplies, and other equipment. This payment is sent directly to the student at the start of each term.

Total Potential Benefits

When you add up all the key payments – tuition, housing allowance, and book stipend – veterans can receive over $30,000 per year and up to $100,000 total under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

For example, a veteran attending a 4-year public university full-time could receive:

• $27,000 per year in tuition payments
• $12,000 per year for a housing allowance
• $1,000 per year for books

That’s over $40,000 per year, and over $160,000 total over 4 years of school.

Of course, your individual benefits depend on the type of school, your service length, enrollment status, and other factors. But the Post-9/11 GI Bill can completely cover the cost of a public college degree for many veterans.

Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program is an additional benefit that helps veterans attend private colleges or graduate programs that exceed the Post-9/11 tuition and fee coverage cap.

Here’s how it works:

• The school agrees to cover a portion of the tuition and fees that exceed the cap
• VA matches the school’s contribution
• Payments are made directly to the school

Over 5,000 colleges voluntarily participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. This supplemental funding can make expensive private universities much more affordable for eligible veterans.

Transferring Benefits to Dependents

The Post-9/11 GI Bill also allows veterans to transfer benefits to their spouse or dependent children. This is a great option if you want to save your benefits for your kids to use.

To transfer GI Bill benefits, you must:

• Have at least 6 years of service in the armed forces
• Serve an additional 4 years from the date of transfer
• Designate dependents as beneficiaries

Benefits can be split between multiple dependents if you wish. The recipient dependents receive the same payments and benefits as the veteran would.

Applying for the GI Bill

To receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, you need to submit an application to the VA. Here are the main steps:

• Gather documentation like your DD-214 discharge papers
• Submit application form 22-1990 to the VA
• Provide school certifying documents each term
• Verify enrollment status each month

Work closely with your school’s veterans office and the VA to ensure your benefits are processed correctly. You can submit documents and manage your benefits on the GI Bill website.

Choose the Right School

One of the great things about the GI Bill is that it opens up your education options. You can use your benefits at a wide range of VA-approved schools:

• Public and private colleges and universities
• Online colleges
• Vocational schools and non-degree programs
• Flight schools
• Apprenticeship programs

Do your research to choose an accredited program that provides the right mix of affordability, value, and support services. Many veterans choose public universities to maximize their GI Bill coverage. Online colleges offer flexibility for non-traditional students. And vocational programs like HVAC technician training can lead to solid careers.

Consider your career goals, budget, and learning preferences as you evaluate schools. Make sure to confirm the school and specific program are eligible for GI Bill benefits.

Work Study and Other Benefits

In addition to the major education payments, the GI Bill offers a few supplemental benefits:

• VA Work Study – Earn an hourly wage for certain VA-related work like answering phones at the registrar’s office or VA hospital up to 25 hours a week.

• Rural Relocation Allowance – Receive a one-time $500 payment if you must relocate from a highly rural area to attend school.

• Tutorial Assistance – Get up to $100 per month, not exceeding $1,200 per year, for tutoring services if you are struggling with coursework.

GI Bill Deadlines

Most veterans need to use their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits within 15 years of separation from active duty. Make sure to take advantage of this generous education package while you still qualify.

Spouses using transferred benefits must start school within 15 years of the service member leaving the military. Children’s eligibility ends on their 26th birthday in most cases, so encourage them to enroll directly after high school.

Choosing the Right GI Bill Program

While the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most popular education program today, there are other GI Bill options:

• Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30) – Older program that provides monthly benefit payments directly to the veteran.

• Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606) – Covers reservists with a 6-year service agreement.

• Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP, Chapter 1607) – Provides benefits for reservists activated for at least 90 days after 9/11/2001.

• Survivors’ and Dependents’ Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35) – Offers education benefits for qualified dependents of disabled or deceased veterans.

Make sure you apply for the right program based on your specific military background. In most cases, Post-9/11 provides the richest benefits.

Finding Other Aid Sources

Even generous GI Bill benefits may not cover all your education costs. Look into other financial aid options you can combine with your GI Bill:

• Scholarships – Apply for private, institutional, community, and national scholarships for veterans and military families.

• Pell Grants – Need-based aid for undergraduates.

• Federal student loans – Low fixed-interest rates and income-based repayment.

• Military tuition assistance – Some active duty service members receive TA benefits.

• Employer tuition reimbursement – Many companies offer tuition benefits for employees.

Get the Most from Your GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides an amazing opportunity to earn a college degree or vocational credential with minimal debt. Make the most of this well-deserved benefit by:

• Researching approved schools and programs