The Post-9/11 GI Bill is an incredibly valuable benefit for veterans and servicemembers pursuing higher education This program provides tuition assistance, housing stipends, book stipends, and other benefits to help make college more affordable But to take full advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you need to understand exactly how the payment and benefits work.
Post 911 GI Bill Eligibility
To qualify for any Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits you must meet a few basic eligibility criteria
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You must have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service post-9/11/2001 or were discharged for a service-connected disability after 30 days of continuous service.
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You received an honorable discharge.
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You are enrolled in an approved program at a college, university, or career/technical school.
The amount of benefits you qualify for depends on your length of active duty service. Those with at least 36 months of active duty get full benefits, while those with less service time get a percentage of the full benefit.
Tuition and Fee Payments
One of the best parts of the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the tuition and fee coverage. Instead of getting a set dollar amount for tuition, the VA will pay your tuition and fees directly to the school after you apply for benefits. This helps ensure you can attend even if you can’t afford the tuition costs.
The VA will cover 100% of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges and universities. At private schools and graduate programs, the VA caps the tuition and fee benefit. For 2021-2022, the maximum payment was $26,042.81. The Post-9/11 GI Bill also covers foreign schools, with a similar tuition and fee cap.
Housing Allowance
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides a monthly housing stipend as long as you are enrolled at least half-time. This helps cover your rent, utilities, and other housing costs.
For 2021-2022, the housing allowance was equal to the military Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents in your school’s zip code. Those taking all online classes got a housing stipend based on half the national average BAH.
You only get the housing allowance during the actual school term. Payments stop between terms and during school breaks.
Book and Supply Stipends
To help cover books, laptops, supplies and other indirect school expenses, the Post-9/11 GI Bill offers an annual $1,000 book/supply stipend. This gets paid proportionally based on your benefit level and enrollment.
For example, if you qualify for 80% of the full benefit and take 60% of a full course load one term, you’d get 80% x 60% x $1,000 = $480 for that term’s book stipend.
Yellow Ribbon Program
For students attending expensive private colleges or out-of-state graduate programs, the Yellow Ribbon Program provides additional funding beyond the Post-9/11 benefit cap.
The school helps cover a portion of the costs exceeding the cap, the VA matches that amount, and the two payments cover the tuition gap. Over 5,000 schools voluntarily participate in this program.
Transferring Benefits
Active duty personnel and veterans can transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to dependents if they serve at least 6 years and commit to 4 more years of service. Eligible dependents include spouses and children.
Each dependent gets their own entitlement to benefits, up to the maximum remaining benefits of the member. This lets families share the value of the GI Bill.
Payments and Usage
Most Post-9/11 GI Bill payments don’t go directly to the veteran. The tuition payments go to schools, housing stipends get paid monthly, and book stipends get disbursed at the start of each term.
Monthly verifications are required to keep getting the housing allowance payments each month you are enrolled.
Work study income through the VA does get paid directly to the veteran worker via direct deposit. This lets vets earn additional income with an educationally affiliated job.
Benefits are charged based on the type of training. For degrees and vocational programs, one month of full benefits are charged for each month enrolled. Licensing/certification test reimbursement deducts one month of benefits per $2,150 in costs. There are also accelerated benefit options.
Applying for Post-9/11 Benefits
To start getting Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, you need to submit an application to the VA. You can apply and manage benefits online through Vets.gov or eBenefits.
You’ll need key details like your military service history, school information, program of study, and direct deposit details. The VA will confirm your eligibility and set up your benefit account.
Be sure to apply for benefits 1-2 months before classes start to allow processing time. You can still use benefits retroactively if needed. Re-apply each year to keep getting payments.
Tracking and Managing Benefits
Through eBenefits, you can access your VA education benefits letter to check things like your remaining entitlement and benefit expiration date. Your letter will update after each term as benefits are used.
You must also verify your enrollment each month to ensure proper housing allowance payments. Work with your school’s VA/military office for help managing benefits.
If you need to change schools, majors, or address, be sure to notify the VA as soon as possible to minimize issues or delays.
Get the Most from the Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill can cover 100% of college costs when used strategically. Here are some tips:
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Attend an in-state public school to maximize the tuition benefit.
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Take at least 12 credits a semester to get the full housing allowance.
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Use every bit of benefits before they expire – the VA won’t extend them.
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Apply for financial aid and scholarships to cover additional expenses.
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Join the Yellow Ribbon Program if attending a high-cost private college.
Understanding exactly how the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s benefits and payments work is key to maximizing this incredible educational opportunity. With strategic planning, you can reduce your out-of-pocket college costs and graduate with minimal student loan debt.
Basic Eligibility Criteria for Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
At a minimum, you must have served at least 30 days of continuous active-duty service after Sep. 10, 2001, and have been discharged due to a service-connected disability; or served an aggregate of 90 days of active-duty or federal service after that date and received an honorable discharge.
For reserve and Guard members, the following duty qualifies for Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility:
- All Title 10 active duty supporting named contingency operations.
- Title 32 service for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the National Guard.
- Title 32 service under section 502(f) for the purpose of responding to a national emergency.
- All voluntary active duty, with the exception of active duty for medical care and medical evaluation.
What Can You Use It For?
You can use your Post-911 GI Bill for many things, including:
The Post-9/11 GI Bill can pay your full tuition and fees at school, provide you with a monthly housing allowance while you are going to school, and give you up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies.
If you live in a remote location, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will even provide you with a one-time relocation allowance to move closer to your school.
Another provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill allows eligible service members to transfer their unused benefits to family members.
Post-9/11 benefit payments are tiered based on the amount of creditable active-duty or federal service you have since Sep. 10, 2001. See the table below to determine your benefit tier.
Read More: How to Use the GI Bill to Pay for College