Pursuing graduate studies is an excellent way to advance your career. However, the cost of grad school can be prohibitively expensive. This is where the GI Bill comes in. Veterans, active duty military, and their dependents can get financial aid through the GI Bill to help pay for college, even graduate school. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about how to use the GI Bill to pay for graduate school.
What is the GI Bill?
The GI Bill refers to various Department of Veterans Affairs programs that provide education benefits to those who have served in the US Armed Forces and their families. There have been multiple iterations of the GI Bill over the years with the most recent being the Post-9/11 GI Bill which went into effect in 2009.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides substantial financial support for education and training programs for individuals who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. Benefits are tiered based on length of service, with those serving at least 36 months eligible for 100% of the benefit.
Key Benefits of Using the GI Bill for Graduate Studies
There are several excellent benefits to using your GI Bill for graduate school:
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Tuition and Fees The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers tuition and fees at public graduate schools at the in-state rate. For 2024 the annual cap for private or foreign schools is $28937.09. The Yellow Ribbon program can help make up the difference in tuition costs above the cap.
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Monthly Housing Allowance: Those attending school more than half-time receive a monthly housing stipend. For 2024, the national average is $2,355 but can vary by campus location.
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Stipend for Books and Supplies: Students can get up to $1,000 a year to help pay for school supplies, equipment, books, and other costs.
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No Time Limit: GI Bill benefits do not expire. You can use them whenever you decide to pursue graduate studies.
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Transferability: Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits can be transferred to dependents like spouses and children.
How GI Bill Benefits Are Paid for Graduate School
GI Bill payments are issued differently for graduate versus undergraduate programs. Here is how it works:
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For undergraduate classes, payment is based on the number of credits taken. Full-time is 12+ credits.
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For graduate programs, payment is based on the training time reported by the school. For example, if you attend part-time but the school considers that full-time for the graduate program, the VA will pay the full-time rate.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill will cover all in-state tuition and fees at public schools. Those attending private or foreign institutes receive an annual maximum reimbursement, with the Yellow Ribbon program bridging the gap.
Housing and book stipends are calculated proportional to enrollment. If attending full-time, you receive the full stipends. Those enrolled less than full-time receive prorated amounts.
How Much of Grad School Does the GI Bill Cover?
The portion of your education the GI Bill covers depends on your length of active duty service post-9/11/2001. Here are the benefit tiers:
- At least 36 months of active duty = 100% of maximum benefits
- At least 30 continuous days of active duty and discharged for service-connected disability = 100% of maximum benefits
- At least 30 months, but less than 36 months = 90% of maximum benefits
- At least 24 months, but less than 30 months = 80% of maximum benefits
- At least 18 months, but less than 24 months = 70% of maximum benefits
- At least 12 months, but less than 18 months = 60% of maximum benefits
- At least 6 months, but less than 12 months = 50% of maximum benefits
- At least 90 days, but less than 6 months = 40% of maximum benefits
As you can see, serving at least three continuous years on active duty qualifies you for full GI Bill benefits.
Can the GI Bill Cover an Entire Graduate Degree?
The GI Bill can cover the full cost of graduate school, but there are a few caveats:
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You must qualify for 100% of the benefit by serving 36+ continuous months on active duty post-9/11.
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It only covers in-state public school tuition and fees. Costs for private or out-of-state schools may exceed the annual cap.
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The housing allowance may not cover the full cost of living, especially in high-cost areas.
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You need to carefully manage how you use your benefits. They expire after 36 months of full-time payments.
While not guaranteed, it is possible to use the GI Bill to completely fund a graduate degree with smart planning. Combining benefits with university aid like fellowships can further reduce costs.
How to Apply for the GI Bill for Graduate School
Follow these steps to use your GI Bill benefits for graduate school:
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Apply for admission to an accredited graduate program. The GI Bill can only be used at approved institutes of higher learning.
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Submit transcripts and other VA forms. This verifies your eligibility status and qualifications.
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Apply for GI Bill benefits through the Veterans Affairs website. Track the status of your application.
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Coordinate with your school. Provide them with any necessary VA documentation.
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Enroll in classes. The school will notify the VA of your enrollment status and start the payments.
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Apply for financial aid to help cover any tuition and costs beyond the GI Bill benefits.
Be sure to apply for GI Bill benefits well in advance of starting school to allow time for processing and avoid payment issues.
Choosing the Right Graduate Degree with the GI Bill
Since GI Bill benefits have a limited time period, carefully choose a graduate program that will maximize your professional goals and career advancement potential.
Consider factors like:
- Your intended career field and the typical credentials required
- Whether you need a Master’s degree or can get by with a certificate or training program
- Opportunities for scholarships, fellowships, or program-specific aid
- Time commitments and structure of courses (full-time/part-time, online/in-person)
- Potential salary bumps from the graduate degree
Thinking through these elements will help you select the best graduate program to pursue with your GI Bill education benefits.
Alternatives If GI Bill Benefits Are Insufficient
While extremely generous, in some cases the GI Bill may not fully cover graduate school costs. Here are some alternatives if you face financial gaps:
- Apply for scholarships and grants from universities, professional associations, companies, and private foundations
- Consider student loans with competitive terms and payment plans
- Attend part time and work full time to help with costs
- Participate in university work-study programs
- Find an employer that offers tuition reimbursement benefits
- Look for teaching assistant, research assistant, and fellowship opportunities
- Prioritize affordable public in-state schools over private programs
With careful planning, you can supplement and stretch your GI Bill benefits to finance your graduate education.
FAQs on Using the GI Bill for Graduate Studies
Can I use the GI Bill for an online graduate degree?
Yes, the GI Bill can be used for accredited online graduate programs. Those attending fully online will receive a reduced housing allowance.
What if I don’t complete my graduate degree?
If you withdraw from classes, take a break, or do not finish the program, you will use up a portion of your GI Bill benefits based on the time you did attend and receive payments.
Can my spouse use transferred GI Bill benefits for grad school?
Spouses and dependents can use transferred GI Bill benefits for graduate degrees. The service member must qualify to be able to transfer benefits.
How does the GI Bill work for graduate certificates?
Graduate certificate programs are eligible for GI Bill benefits. Payment is based on the training time certified by the school, similar to graduate degrees.
Can I use the GI Bill for a second graduate degree?
Yes. You can use any remaining benefits after completing your first graduate degree to pursue additional credentialed programs.
Key Takeaways
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The GI Bill provides tremendous financial assistance for graduate studies, covering tuition, fees, books, and housing stipends.
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Full benefits are given to veterans who served at least 3 continuous years of active duty post 9/11/2001.
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Graduate payments are based on enrollment level certified by the school, not just credits like undergraduate.
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You can completely fund public graduate school with the GI Bill, but private programs often exceed the annual cap.
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Get the most value by carefully choosing a degree that maximizes career advancement.
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Combine GI Bill benefits with other aid to cover any financial gaps.
Pursuing an advanced degree can transform your opportunities and earnings potential. With the powerful resources available through the GI Bill, graduate school is an accessible goal for veterans and military families wanting to take their education to the next level.
Graduate Benefits Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill can pay your full resident tuition at a public school. If you attend a private or foreign school, it will pay up to to $27,120.05. This amount increases to $28,937.09 on Aug. 1, 2024. Many schools participate in the Yellow Ribbon program, which can waive a portion of the difference in the tuition you are charged and the amount covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Be sure to ask your school if it plans to participate in the program.
The amount of tuition and fees covered by the GI Bill is determined by your Post-9/11-GI Bill entitlement percentage, which is based on the number of months you have served on active duty since Sept.11, 2001. For example, if you have served 24 months on active duty sine Sept. 11, 2001, your GI Bill percentage is 80%. If you attend a public school as an in-state resident and the tuition is $10,000 a semester, you would have 80% of your tuition and fees, or $8,000, paid by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Active-duty time can also include Title 10 mobilizations for reserve and National Guard members.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill also pays a monthly housing allowance based on the ZIP code of the location of the school you attend — not your home ZIP code. This stipend currently averages $2,109 a month ($2,355.00 in 2024-2025) but can exceed $3,000 depending on where you go to school. Students taking 100% of their courses online are eligible for a monthly stipend equal to half of the national average stipend. Half is currently $967.40. It goes up to $1,177.50 in 2024-2025.
Housing allowance payments are based on the amount of creditable active-duty service after Sept. 10, 2001.
For example, if youve served 24 months on active duty since Sep. 10, 2001, your GI Bill benefit tier percentage is 80%. If you attend a school with a monthly housing allowance of $1,000 a month, you receive 80% of your housing allowance, or $800/month.
This stipend is based on the DoDs Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. This stipend does not require students to live on campus.
NOTE: Service members currently on active duty, their spouses using transferred benefits and those taking courses on a half-time basis or less do not qualify for the monthly housing allowance.
Book and Supply Stipend
You may receive an annual book stipend of up to $1,000 a year with the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This stipend will be paid at the beginning of each term. It is paid proportionately based on the number of credits taken by each student.