GI Bill & Education Benefits

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most generous education benefit available to veterans. It covers up to 36 months of education benefits, including tuition, a monthly housing allowance, and a books and supplies stipend.

What It Covers

• Tuition and fees: Paid directly to the school, up to the full in-state tuition rate at public schools. For private and foreign schools, up to a yearly cap (adjusted annually — $28,937.94 for the 2024–2025 academic year).
• Monthly Housing Allowance (BAH): Based on the E-5 with dependents Basic Allowance for Housing rate for the ZIP code of the school. Only paid to students taking more than half-time coursework. Online-only students receive a reduced rate (currently half the national average).
• Books and supplies stipend: Up to $1,000 per academic year, paid proportionally per term.

Eligibility

You must have served at least 90 aggregate days of active duty after September 10, 2001 (excluding entry-level training for certain branches). Veterans who were discharged for a service-connected disability after at least 30 continuous days may also qualify.

Benefit Percentage Tiers

The percentage of benefits you receive is based on how long you served on active duty after September 10, 2001:

How to Apply

Apply online through VA.gov (search "Apply for education benefits"), by calling 1-888-442-4551, or by mailing VA Form 22-1990. You will need your DD-214 and information about the school and program you plan to attend.

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) predates the Post-9/11 GI Bill and works differently. Instead of paying tuition directly, it provides a fixed monthly payment to the veteran, who is responsible for paying the school.

The $1,200 Buy-In

Most service members had $100 per month deducted from their pay for the first 12 months of active duty ($1,200 total). This pay reduction is non-refundable, even if you never use the benefit. However, it unlocked up to 36 months of education benefits.

Monthly Rates

As of October 2024, the full-time monthly rate for MGIB is approximately $2,185.00 per month for veterans who served three or more years of active duty. Rates are lower for less than three years of service. The payment goes directly to the veteran, not the school.

Eligibility

• You must have elected to participate in MGIB (opted in during enlistment and paid the $1,200)
• You must have completed your first obligated period of active duty
• You must have received an honorable discharge
• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent before the end of your first period of active duty

MGIB vs. Post-9/11 GI Bill

Most veterans who qualify for both will benefit more from the Post-9/11 GI Bill because it covers full tuition and pays a housing allowance. However, MGIB may be better in some cases — for example, if you attend a low-cost school and the flat MGIB monthly payment exceeds what the Post-9/11 GI Bill would pay. You can switch from MGIB to Post-9/11, but you cannot switch back. The VA can help you compare benefits.

Formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, the VR&E program helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain suitable employment. It can cover education and training costs that go well beyond what the GI Bill provides.

What It Covers

• Tuition and fees (no cap — it can cover the full cost of private schools)
• Books, supplies, and required equipment
• A monthly subsistence allowance (similar to BAH)
• Tutoring and special accommodations if needed
• Job placement assistance, resume help, and interview coaching
• Self-employment support in some cases

Eligibility

• You must have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from the VA
• You must have an employment barrier — meaning your disability limits your ability to prepare for, obtain, or maintain suitable employment
• You must have received or will receive a discharge that is not dishonorable
• Generally, you must apply within 12 years of your VA disability rating notification, though exceptions exist

How It Works

After applying using VA Form 28-1900, you will be assigned a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) who will work with you to develop an individualized rehabilitation plan. This plan outlines your employment goal and the services and training needed to achieve it. VR&E is separate from the GI Bill — using VR&E does not use up your GI Bill entitlement, though there are rules about using both simultaneously.

The DEA program provides education and training benefits to eligible dependents and survivors of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected condition.

Who Is Eligible

• Spouse or child of a veteran with a permanent and total service-connected disability
• Surviving spouse or child of a service member who died on active duty or from a service-connected disability
• Spouse or child of a service member currently missing in action or captured
• Children must generally be between ages 18 and 26 to use the benefit
• Spouses generally have 10 years from the date the VA determines eligibility

What It Provides

DEA provides up to 36 months of education benefits. It covers degree programs, certificate programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. The benefit is a monthly payment made directly to the student. DEA does not cover tuition directly — the monthly allowance is meant to help cover all expenses.

The Yellow Ribbon Program helps cover tuition costs that exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill cap — particularly at private schools, out-of-state public schools, and graduate programs.

How It Works

• Participating schools voluntarily agree to cover a portion of the excess tuition
• The VA matches whatever amount the school contributes — so if the school covers $10,000, the VA covers another $10,000
• Some schools cover 100% of remaining tuition, making attendance effectively free for eligible veterans
• Not all schools participate, and those that do may limit the number of students or specific programs

Eligibility

• You must be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100% benefit level
• Active-duty service members and their spouses using transferred benefits are not eligible (dependents of veterans can be eligible)
• Fry Scholarship recipients are also eligible
• Check the VA's Yellow Ribbon school search tool on VA.gov to see if your school participates

This scholarship provides up to 9 additional months (approximately $30,000) of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for students in high-demand STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs.

Eligibility

• You must be enrolled in an undergraduate STEM degree program or a teaching certification program that leads to teaching STEM
• You must have six months or fewer of Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement remaining at the time of application
• The program must require more than the standard 128 credit hours (typically 120 credits) for completion
• The VA maintains a list of qualifying STEM programs

This scholarship does not apply to graduate programs (except teaching certification). It is specifically designed to help veterans whose STEM programs require more coursework than their GI Bill entitlement covers.

The Department of Defense allows eligible service members to transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their spouse or dependent children. This is one of the most valuable family benefits in the military — but it comes with strings attached.

Requirements

• You must have served at least 6 years in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) at the time of transfer
• You must agree to serve an additional 4 years from the date of the transfer election
• The transfer must be approved while you are still an active member of the Armed Forces — you cannot transfer after separation
• Each branch has its own transfer policies and may have additional requirements

Key Details

• You can split months between multiple dependents (e.g., 18 months to a spouse and 18 months to a child)
• You can revoke or modify the transfer at any time while still in service
• Children can use the transferred benefits starting at age 18 (or after high school) and generally must use them before age 26
• Spouses can begin using transferred benefits immediately and do not have a time limit, but cannot receive the housing allowance if the service member is on active duty
• If you are retired or have separated, you can no longer change your Transfer of Entitlement elections

The application process is straightforward, but there are several steps to follow:

1. Choose your benefit: Determine which education benefit is right for you (Post-9/11, MGIB, VR&E, etc.). If you are unsure, contact the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551.
2. Apply online: Go to VA.gov and search for "Apply for education benefits." You will fill out VA Form 22-1990 (for new applications) or VA Form 22-1995 (to change your school or program).
3. Gather your documents: Have your DD-214, Social Security number, bank account information (for direct deposit), and details about your school and program ready.
4. Submit and wait: After submitting, the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) that shows your benefit level and remaining entitlement. Processing typically takes 30 days.
5. Contact your school's certifying official: Every VA-approved school has a School Certifying Official (SCO) in the registrar or financial aid office. Give them your COE. The SCO will certify your enrollment to the VA each term.
6. Verify enrollment monthly: For MGIB, you must verify your enrollment each month through the VA's WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment) system or by calling 1-877-823-2378 to continue receiving payments.

Note on eBenefits: The VA has been migrating tools from eBenefits to VA.gov. Most education benefit tasks — including applying, checking your COE, and viewing remaining entitlement — can now be done on VA.gov directly.

• Online vs. in-person BAH rates: If you take all of your classes online, your monthly housing allowance will be significantly lower than in-person rates. Even one in-person class can qualify you for the full in-person BAH rate for your school's ZIP code. Check your program carefully.
• Verify your school is VA-approved: Not all schools and programs are approved for GI Bill benefits. Use the VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool on VA.gov to verify your school and program before enrolling. If the school is not approved, the VA will not pay.
• Housing allowance is only paid during enrollment: BAH payments are prorated and only cover the days you are enrolled. You will not receive housing allowance during breaks between terms (summer break, winter break, etc.) unless your break is shorter than a specific threshold.
• Monthly enrollment verification is required: If you fail to verify your enrollment, your payments will stop. Set a recurring reminder to verify each month.
• Do not withdraw without talking to the VA first: Dropping below full-time enrollment or withdrawing from classes can create an overpayment debt with the VA. If you need to reduce your course load, talk to your school's SCO and the VA before making changes.
• Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool: The VA's comparison tool on VA.gov lets you estimate your benefits at different schools, including housing allowance, Yellow Ribbon amounts, and graduation rates.
• Keep your entitlement in mind: You have 36 months of benefits. A standard four-year bachelor's degree uses about 32–34 months. If you change majors or programs, you may run short. Plan ahead.
• The 15-year time limit: For the Post-9/11 GI Bill, there is no longer an expiration date for benefits if you were discharged on or after January 1, 2013. If you were discharged before that date, you have 15 years from your last discharge date to use your benefits.
• Consider VR&E if you have a disability rating: VR&E (Chapter 31) can be more generous than the GI Bill because it has no tuition cap and provides additional support services. If you qualify, explore this option before or alongside the GI Bill.