The latest set of government reforms to the New Post 9/11 GI Bill (GI Bill 2.0) went into effect in August 2011. Learn more about the latest GI Bill 2.0 reforms here.
The GI Bill is a series of programs run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help military personnel and their families pay for continuing education and career training. The new Post 9/11 GI Bill, signed into law in July of 2008, is the latest and most comprehensive GI Bill to date. The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides substantial education benefits for military service members who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since September 11, 2001.
The new GI Bill covers much more than tuition; depending on the nature and duration of your military service, the Post 9/11 GI Bill will partially or completely cover supplemental education-related costs such as books & supplies, student housing, certification exams, private tutors, relocation expenses and more.
Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Key features and education benefits of the new Post 9/11 GI Bill include:
- Tuition Coverage: The Post 9/11 GI Bill covers up to 100% of tuition costs and related educational fees, paid directly to the educational institution you are attending.
- Monthly Housing Stipend: The Post 9/11 GI Bill can include a monthly housing allowance based on the location of the educational institution you are attending. The average GI Bill housing stipend is $1,200 per month, but the stipend can run as high as $2,700.
- Books and Supplies Stipend: The Post 9/11 GI Bill pays up to $1,000 for books and supplies at the beginning of each school term or semester. The books and supplies stipend is paid proportionately to the number of credits taken – the current rate is $41 per credit hour.
- Relocation Allowance: The Post 9/11 GI Bill can include a one-time relocation benefit of $500 to help cover the cost of moving from a rural area to a location closer to your school.
- Transfer GI Bill Benefits to Family: Armed service members that have served 6 or more years in the military and agree to serve at least another 4 years, can transfer unused post 9-11 GI Bill education benefits to their spouse or children. Transferred GI Bill benefits are activated upon your 10 year service anniversary.
Post 9/11 GI Bill Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, you must:
- Serve 90+ days of aggregate military service after September 10, 2001 OR
- Serve 30+ days of continuous active duty service after September 10, 2001
and be discharged due to a service-connected disability.
Periods of active duty service under the following conditions are excluded from the Post 9/11 GI Bill:
- Active Guard Reserve (AGR) (Title 32);
- ROTC under 10 U.S.C. 2107(b);
- Service academy contract period;
- Service terminated due to defective enlistment agreement;
- Service used for loan repayment; and
- Selected reserve service used to establish eligibility under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB chapter 30), MGIB for Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR Chapter 1606), or the Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP chapter 1607).
Post 9/11 GI Bill Expiration Date
- The Post 9/11 GI Bill is available for 15 years after release from active duty.
Post 9/11 GI Bill Approved Training Schools
Browse the top-reviewed universities, colleges and private computer schools offering programs that qualify for Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits.
Compare campus and online schools favored by GI's and approved for Post 9/11 GI Bill tuition reimbursement.
Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits can be used toward education programs in a range of formats:
Post 9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program
- The Yellow Ribbon Program is another benefit under the GI Bill, which includes a provision to help students avoid some or all of the out-of-pocket tuition and fees associated with education programs that may exceed the Post 9/11 GI Bill tuition benefit. Learn more in this Post 9-11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Fact Sheet from the Dept of Veterans Affairs.
Official Online Application
- Online application for the Post 9/11 GI Bill: http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-1990-ARE.pdf
