Many veterans find themselves asking, “Will the GI Bill pay for real estate school?” After serving our country, transitioning back to civilian life can be challenging. Veterans may struggle to figure out their career path A real estate career is attractive to veterans for many reasons. However, pursuing a real estate license requires investing time and money into real estate pre-licensing courses This leads veterans to wonder, can I use my GI Bill benefits to cover real estate school tuition?
The short answer is yes, the GI Bill can be used to pay for real estate courses and licensing exams Veterans have multiple GI Bill options that provide education benefits These funds can be applied to licensing and certification tests like those required for a real estate career.
GI Bill Programs That Pay for Licensing Exams
There are several GI Bill programs veterans may qualify for that allow funds to be used for licensing exams:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Montgomery GI Bill
- Veteran Readiness and Employment
- Dependents’ Educational Assistance
- Fry Scholarship
The most well-known GI Bill program is the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This provides funds that cover tuition costs for college degrees and training programs. Fortunately, licensing and certifications like a real estate license are included.
The GI Bill benefits can be used for real estate pre-licensing courses, licensing exams, and related test fees. Funds are paid directly to the testing center or licensing board. Veterans can be reimbursed up to $2,000 per test. Most real estate exams cost under $100, so veterans can retake the test multiple times until passing.
Steps to Get GI Bill Reimbursement
Veterans using their GI Bill benefits for real estate licensing must complete a few steps:
- Verify GI Bill eligibility and apply for benefits
- Complete real estate pre-licensing education
- Pass state and national licensing exams
- Submit proof of exam payment and scores to VA office
- VA processes reimbursement to veteran
It’s important the real estate program meets state requirements for licensing. The VA will only reimburse for approved programs. Veterans can search for approved programs directly on the VA website.
What the GI Bill Won’t Cover
While the GI Bill does cover exam fees, there are associated real estate licensing costs that are not reimbursable:
- Real estate pre-licensing course tuition
- Licensing application fees
- Background check fees
- State licensing fees
- Brokerage fees
Veterans will need to pay these fees out of pocket or find other financing options. The GI Bill exclusively covers the cost of approved licensing and certification exams.
Why Real Estate is Great for Veterans
Pursuing a career in real estate is a fantastic option for military veterans once they return to civilian life. Here are some of the main benefits:
Transferable Skills
The valuable skills and training gained in the military transition very well to real estate. For example, the discipline, professionalism, and ability to perform under pressure learned in the service make for an effective real estate agent. Veterans are comfortable working long and irregular hours. Their training also equips them with strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Team Environment
Veterans are accustomed to working cohesively as a member of a team. Real estate similarly involves collaborating with other agents, brokers, lenders, and more throughout a transaction. The teamwork mentality gained in the military ensures veterans seamlessly integrate into a brokerage.
Flexibility
After the highly structured environment of military service, veterans appreciate the flexibility of real estate. Agents largely get to set their own schedule. They decide when and where to work, accommodating doctor appointments, family obligations, and other needs. Real estate allows veterans to control their work-life balance.
Financial Opportunity
Veterans are attracted to real estate because there is immense income potential. Commission-based real estate provides an opportunity to earn based on your motivation and effort. It offers veterans financial freedom to replace or supplement their military income.
Job Security
The indispensable service real estate agents provide ensures job security. People will always need to buy and sell homes. There will perpetually be demand for real estate professionals to facilitate transactions. Veterans can enjoy knowing real estate offers a stable, lifelong career.
Take Advantage of Your Benefits
The GI Bill provides veterans with amazing benefits to ease the transition to civilian life. If you are interested in real estate, take advantage of this opportunity. The GI Bill will cover the cost of your licensing exams, allowing you to start your real estate career. Consider pursuing this self-directed, financially rewarding profession that enables you to continue serving your community. With hard work and perseverance, real estate can be an ideal career path for veterans. Use your GI Bill to invest in your future success.
States with Expedited Licensing and Fee Waivers for Veterans
There may not be a special real estate license for those who have served our country, but several states have made an effort to support them as they transition into civilian roles. These states have taken proactive measures to expedite the process of obtaining a real estate license for veterans.
Take the Maryland Department of Labor as a prime example. Upon application, this state can fast-track the licensing process for veterans. The Maryland law gives the Commission only 60 days to process a veteran’s application.
This benefit cuts the time it takes to get a real estate license for veterans hoping to swap their backpacks for a briefcase and office shoes. But it’s not only about speed. Other states focus on financial assistance to express gratitude toward veterans.
Arizona Department of Real Estate stands out in this regard with its unique approach. It offers application fee waivers for veterans and their spouses seeking real estate licenses.
This thoughtful gesture helps alleviate some of the financial burden of starting a new career post-service. It makes it more accessible for those who’ve dedicated themselves to serving our nation.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is designed for those who served on active duty after September 10th, 2001. It covers tuition for former military personnel and their children. The amount the Bill will fork out will vary depending on factors such as your licensing state, pre-licensing institution, and the type of real estate license you choose.
There are three eligibility requirements for the Post-9/11 aid. Veterans must meet at least one of the requirements before qualifying for aid:
- Veterans must have served at least 90 days on active duty
- Received the Purple Heart and discharged honorably
- Served for 30 days with no break and released on a service-related disability
How To Use The GI Bill To Get A Real Estate License?
FAQ
Will the VA pay for my A&P license?
Will VA pay for PMP certification?
Will the VA pay for CompTIA exams?
How many years of tuition does the GI Bill cover?
Can GI Bill benefits pay for Real Estate certification?
The VA official site says GI Bill benefits may be used to pay for licensing and certification tests which may include approved real estate certifications.
Can the GI Bill help you become a real estate agent?
The good news is that the GI Bill can help. If you are a veteran or have been honorably discharged from the military, then you can use your GI Bill benefits to pay for your real estate licensing course and even your exam. We’ll break down exactly how the GI Bill benefits can help you, step by step. How do I become a real estate agent?
What are GI Bill benefits?
GI Bill benefits help you pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying Veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training. Learn more about GI Bill benefits on this page—and how to apply for them.
Does the GI Bill cover school fees?
For students attending public colleges and universities, the GI Bill covers all tuition and fees at the in-state rate, but it may not have the same reach at a private or for-profit school. The national maximum at such schools will be $24,476.79 for the 2019-2020 school year and generally increases slightly each year.