The GI Bill is a common name for a series of federal laws that provide education and training benefits to eligible veterans and in some cases their dependents. The original GI Bill — formally known as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 — is widely regarded as one of the most transformative pieces of legislation in American history helping millions of World War II veterans attend college, purchase homes, and build middle-class lives after the war.
Today the GI Bill refers primarily to the Post-9/11 GI Bill enacted in 2008 which provides comprehensive education benefits to veterans who served on active duty after September 10 2001. Understanding what the GI Bill covers, who qualifies, and how to access benefits can help eligible veterans and their families make the most of this important benefit.
Types of GI Bill programs
There are several GI Bill programs currently available to veterans. The most important are:
Post-9/11 GI Bill — Chapter 33 The most comprehensive and most widely used GI Bill program. Available to veterans who served at least 90 days of active duty after September 10, 2001, or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. Benefits include:
- Tuition and fees paid directly to the school up to the in-state tuition rate at public schools or a maximum cap at private schools
- A monthly housing allowance based on the cost of living in the area where the school is located
- An annual stipend for books and supplies
- A one-time rural benefit payment in some circumstances
The amount of benefits received depends on the length of active duty service — veterans with 36 or more months of active duty receive 100 percent of benefits while shorter service periods result in proportionally reduced benefits.
Montgomery GI Bill — Active Duty — Chapter 30 Available to veterans who contributed $100 per month for 12 months during active duty. Provides a monthly stipend for education and training. Less generous than the Post-9/11 GI Bill for most veterans but may be preferable in certain circumstances.
Montgomery GI Bill — Selected Reserve — Chapter 1606 Available to members of the Selected Reserve including the National Guard and Reserve components who meet service requirements. Provides a monthly education stipend.
Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance — Chapter 35 Provides education benefits to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition or who died from a service-connected condition.
Transferring GI Bill benefits to dependents
One of the most valuable features of the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the ability to transfer unused benefits to a spouse or dependent children. To be eligible to transfer benefits a service member must:
- Have at least six years of service and agree to serve at least four additional years
- Transfer benefits while still on active duty
- Apply for the transfer through the DoD’s Transfer of Education Benefits system
Transferred benefits can be used by the spouse or child to attend college, vocational school, or other approved training programs. Children must use transferred benefits before age 26.
What GI Bill benefits cover
GI Bill benefits can be used for a wide range of education and training programs including:
- Four-year college and university programs
- Community college and associate degree programs
- Vocational and technical training
- Apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs
- Flight training
- Correspondence courses
- Licensing and certification tests
- National testing programs such as the SAT and CLEP
- Entrepreneurship training
The 36-month limit
Most GI Bill programs provide a maximum of 36 months of benefits — equivalent to four academic years. Veterans who use benefits from more than one GI Bill program can generally receive no more than 48 months of combined benefits.
Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon Program is an agreement between the VA and certain private colleges and universities that allows these schools to supplement the Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition benefit for veterans who qualify for 100 percent of benefits. Under the Yellow Ribbon Program the school contributes a portion of tuition above the GI Bill cap and the VA matches that contribution potentially covering the full cost of private school tuition.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment — VR and E
In addition to the GI Bill veterans with service-connected disabilities may also be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits — also called Chapter 31 — which provides comprehensive support for veterans whose disabilities prevent them from working in their pre-service occupation. VR and E benefits include education and training, job search assistance, and independent living services.
How to apply for GI Bill benefits
Applications for GI Bill benefits can be submitted through several channels:
- Online — at va.gov where veterans can apply for education benefits electronically
- By phone — by calling the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551
- In person — at your nearest VA regional office
- Through a Veterans Service Organization — VSOs such as the American Legion, VFW, and DAV can provide free assistance with GI Bill applications
When applying you will need to provide information about your military service, discharge status, and the school or training program you plan to attend.
The 90-day rule and enrollment certification
Once you are approved for GI Bill benefits you must enroll at an approved school and have the school certify your enrollment to the VA before benefits begin. Schools have certifying officials who handle this process. The VA typically pays the tuition benefit directly to the school and deposits the housing allowance and book stipend into the veteran’s bank account.
Finding approved schools and programs
Not all schools and training programs are approved for GI Bill benefits. The VA maintains a comparison tool called the GI Bill Comparison Tool at va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool that allows veterans to search for approved schools and programs and compare their graduation rates, average student loan debt, and other quality indicators.
Key terms to know
- GI Bill — a series of federal laws providing education and training benefits to eligible veterans
- Post-9/11 GI Bill — the most comprehensive current GI Bill program available to veterans who served after September 10 2001
- Montgomery GI Bill — an older GI Bill program available to veterans who contributed to the program during active duty
- Transfer of benefits — the ability of eligible service members to transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse or dependent children
- Yellow Ribbon Program — an agreement between the VA and certain private schools to supplement the GI Bill tuition benefit
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment — VR and E — a VA program providing comprehensive support for veterans with service-connected disabilities that affect employment
- Certifying official — a school employee who certifies a veteran’s enrollment to the VA to initiate GI Bill benefit payments
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — va.gov
- GI Bill Comparison Tool — va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool
- USA.gov — Veterans Benefits
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. GI Bill eligibility and benefit amounts are subject to change. Visit va.gov or contact a Veterans Service Organization for the most current information specific to your situation.