With the Post 9/11 GI Bill, the government has expanded on the support provided to service members attending either public or private educational institutions, as well as other forms of training. Additionally, the new bill affords veterans the chance to receive housing allowance, funds for books and supplies, and a one-time rural benefit for eligible individuals.
To be considered eligible, veterans must have completed a minimum of 90 days of active duty service after September 10, 2001. Veterans who have received an honorable discharge are also eligible.
The percentage of benefits that veterans receive from the Post 9/11 GI Bill depends on the time they served after September 10, 2011:
If you are covered under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, payments for your tuition and fees will be made directly to your school by the VA, based on what percentage of benefits you qualify for, as well as the educational program you choose to pursue.
Under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, you have a number of options in regards to higher education. If you choose to attend an in-state, public college or university, your tuition will be paid in full. Even if you have not established formal residency in the state where you are enrolled in school, you may still qualify for in-state tuition as long as you reside there currently.
When it comes to private or foreign schools, or public schools where you do not qualify as an in-state resident, Congress sets a cap on the amount paid towards tuition by the GI Bill. The current national maximum per school year is $22,805.34.
In certain instances, tuition for private or foreign colleges and universities may cost more than the annual maximum amount set by Congress. If this is the case, you might be able to qualify for additional funds under the Yellow Ribbon Agreement. In this program, Institutions of Higher Learning voluntarily choose to contribute a certain amount to pay the additional funds towards your education, and that amount is matched by the VA. There is no additional charge to your GI Bill entitlement, and the VA issues payments directly to the institution.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill also affords eligible veterans attending Institutions of Higher Learning a monthly housing allowance*, books and supplies stipend*, and a one-time rural benefit for certain veterans.
The bill also assists veterans attending Non-college Degree Granting Institutions, such as technical schools. Veterans can receive up to $22,805.34 to pay for net costs for in-state tuition and fees per academic year.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill also affords eligible veterans attending Non-college Degree Granting Institutions a monthly housing allowance*, books and supplies stipend*, and a one-time rural benefit for certain veterans.
As a veteran, you may choose to forego the traditional course of college/university, and instead enroll in an apprenticeship, or on-the-job training program, in which you are able to learn a trade or skill under a professional. In such programs, you generally enter into a training contract for a specific time, at the end of which you receive a certification or journeyman status. With most apprenticeships or on-the-job training programs, veterans receive a salary from their employers or unions, which increases as they become more skilled.
For veterans undergoing an apprenticeship, or those enrolled in on-the-job training programs, the Post 9/11 GI Bill offers a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) which is based on the ZIP code, and the length of the training period:
The Post 9/11 GI Bill also affords eligible veterans enrolled in apprenticeships or on-the-job training a books and supplies stipend.
The post 9/11 GI Bill offers benefits if you choose to further your pilot training by attending vocational flight schools. All veterans must have a private pilot’s license and valid medical certification before beginning training.
Veterans taking part in any kind of vocational flight training can be reimbursed up to the full cost of training, or $13,031.61 per academic year, whichever is less. This cap applies to all classes that begin during that academic year, regardless of year in which they are completed.
There is NO allowance for housing or books and supplies.
Many veterans choose to enroll in Correspondence Schools, which is not the same as Distance Learning. In the former you receive lessons in the mail, and you have a certain amount of time to complete and return the lessons for a grade.
For Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients, the VA reimburses the lesser of the net actual costs for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the school, not to exceed $11,076.86 per academic year.
As with most professions, you may be required to take part in National Testing Programs, or Licensing and Certification Tests. These can become costly, which is why the post 9/11 GI Bill offers reimbursement for veterans, up to $2,000 per test. Your entitlement will be charged one month for every $1,902.61 paid to you, rounded to the nearest non-zero whole month; this means even low-cost tests are charged one month of entitlement per test.
The following tests are approved for reimbursement:
Under your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, you may also be eligible for a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)*. Your MHA amount is based on your school’s ZIP code, and also on the military Basic Allowance for Housing for E-5s with dependents. Effective August 1 of every academic year, your MHA rate increases based on BAH increases.
There are some exceptions to the MHA.
For most educational and training programs, you may be eligible to receive a stipend for books and supplies of up to $1,000.00. This is paid proportionately based on enrollment, at the beginning of the academic year.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill also offers a one-time rural benefit payment of $500 to certain individuals who are relocating from highly rural areas. This benefit applies to veterans moving from a county with 6 persons or less per square mile (as determined by the most recent decennial census) in order to attend an educational institution. They must be either relocating at least 500 miles, or travelling by air if no other land-based transportation is possible.
