The New GI Bill

The new Post-9/11 GI Bill went into effect August 1, 2009. The new GI bill provides significantly more benefits to veterans who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001. Some of these education benefits provided by the VA include:

• Tuition and fees for a 4-year degree, including undergraduate and graduate studies
• Monthly housing allowance
• $1,000 per year towards books and supplies
• Ability to transfer education benefits to spouses or children

With the new GI Bill, thousands of military veterans and their families will be able to attend college without incurring substantial debt for tuition and housing.

Eligibility for the new GI Bill

The VA has set forth certain requirements to qualify for education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Service members must have performed at least 90 days of aggregate active duty after September 10, 2001, though there are exceptions for those who were discharged due to a disability. Veterans must have been honorably discharged.

To qualify for the maximum benefit, members of the military must have served at least 36 months of aggregate active duty service. If you served between 90 days and 36 months, you should qualify for a percentage of the total benefit. For example, if a veteran served between 18 and 24 months, she would receive 70% of the maximum benefit.

Education benefits under the new GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides very generous benefits to service members, especially those still on active duty. For example, tuition and fees are covered up to the undergraduate rate of the most expensive public institution in the state in which you are studying. However, active duty service members are eligible for full tuition and fee payments with no state maximums. If you are on active duty and attending college though distance or online learning, you would not have to worry about state maximums.

For veterans attending campus-based institutions, you are eligible for a monthly housing allowance equal to the E-5 with dependents rate.

Students can also receive aid towards tutoring and one licensing or certification test, plus $1000 per year towards books and supplies. There is even a $500 benefit if you relocate from a rural area to attend school.

One unique aspect of the new GI Bill is the ability for service members to transfer education benefits to spouses or children. There are more stringent requirements to qualify for this benefit , including longer service periods such as 10 years instead of 36 months. But if a spouse or parent already has a degree and does not use his or her education benefit, ask if they can transfer it to you!

Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program helps pay for undergraduate studies at private institutions, undergraduates paying out-of-state tuition, or graduate studies. If you attend a participating Yellow Ribbon university, any excess tuition above the public undergraduate rate is supplemented equally by the school and the VA. Keep in mind that this may not cover the entire cost of your degree, but it may help pay for most of it. You must be eligible for the maximum benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to qualify for Yellow Ribbon benefits.

Other veterans education benefits

The new Post-9/11 GI Bill is not the only educational benefit available for military service members, though it is the largest. Depending on the type of training you want and the length/type of service you have performed, other programs may be more suitable for you.

• Montgomery GI Bill covers certificate programs, on-the-job training, apprenticeship training, flight training, and non-college degree courses for active duty and reservists
• Reserve Educational Assistance Program
• Veterans Educational Assistance Program
• Several others

There are certain situations where the Montgomery GI Bill may pay more than the Post-9/11 GI Bill. For example, a service member who attends distance learning classes may get more money from the Montgomery GI Bill. The MGIB pays a lump sum that covers tuition, housing, books, etc., instead of breaking these up into separate benefits like the Post -9/11 GI Bill. Online university students do not qualify for housing benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, but the MGIB benefit is not affected whether you study online or on campus. Investigate this choice carefully because it is irrevocable once you make your decision.

Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs, http://www.gibill.va.gov