One of the most popular benefits the U.S. military offers is the GI Bill, which helps current and former service members pay for college or vocational school.
This federal benefit can help veterans transition to civilian life and achieve their educational and career goals. But because a veteran’s eligibility for education assistance can vary based on when and how long they served, their branch of service, and other factors, understanding and maximizing these generous benefits can be challenging.
If you’ve been wondering how — and how much — the military pays for college, here’s a look at some GI Bill basics.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• Discover the various types of GI Bills and how they could help fund your college or vocational school education.
• Explore the specifics regarding veterans’ military assistance for education to assess your eligibility.
• Books and supplies, tuition coverage, and housing allowances are important benefits to inquire about.
• Applying for military assistance for veterans’ education requires you to submit personal information.
• Investigate state benefits for veterans that may supplement or replace the federal GI Bill.
What Is the GI Bill?
The GI Bill, formally known as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the end of World War II. The program was originally designed to provide various financial and social benefits to World War II veterans after they returned home. Those benefits included small business loans, mortgages, and education grants.
Currently, the GI Bill specifically refers to any U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefit offered to active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most frequently used VA education benefit program and includes financial support for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and housing. Depending on how long you were in the military, it may cover up to 100% of the costs, or it may be used together with a military dependents’ student loan to fund your education.
Besides the GI Bill, serving in the military can give you access to other education-related benefits. As a service member on active duty, for example, you may qualify for certain perks or special repayment options for any federal or private student loans you’ve already taken out.
Types of GI Bills
Since it was enacted in 1944, the GI Bill has been broadened several times. As a result, there are multiple options that can be used to pay for college. Here’s a closer look.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
This current version of the GI Bill is designed to support the latest generation of service members and veterans. If you served on active duty for at least 90 days on or after September 11, 2001, you are likely eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. This is the case if you’re still in the military or if you have already separated with an honorable discharge.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill can help cover the cost of college or an advanced degree, technical training, on-the-job training, licensing, or certification. Eligible service members can also transfer unused education benefits to their spouse and children.
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Montgomery GI Bill
The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is an older GI Bill program that provides up to 36 months of education benefits to those who have served one qualifying period of active duty and meet the requirements.
The MGIB Active Duty (MGIB-AD) is for veterans and current members of the military who have served at least two years on active duty. It provides a monthly benefit payment to use for education and training costs.
The MGIB Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) provides educational assistance to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard. Similar to the MGIB-AD, the MGIB-SR provides a monthly payment based on the type of education or training a recipient is getting.
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Other GI Bill Programs
The GI Bill also includes other education programs available to service members both during and after service, as well as their families. These include:
Veteran Readiness and Employment
If you have a disability connected to military service that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, you may benefit from the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program. This GI Bill program can help you explore employment options and get the education or job training you might need to work. In some cases, your family members may also qualify for certain benefits.
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program is for eligible spouses and children of veterans who died, are permanently and totally disabled, died, went missing in action, or were held as prisoners of war during their service. It provides a monthly payment to help cover the cost of education or job training for these family members.
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GI Bill Eligibility for Veterans
GI Bill veterans’ benefits are based on factors including when you served and how long you were on active duty. You also have to have been honorably discharged.
Though you may qualify for more than one type of GI Bill educational benefit, you can’t use them simultaneously for the same period of service. If you have served separate qualifying periods, you could receive a total of 48 months of combined benefits. Here are the eligibility requirements for different GI Bill programs.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility
If you served in the military after September 10, 2001, you may be eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. The amount you receive (which could range from 50% to 100% of the full benefit) is based on how long you served on active duty and other criteria.
You may be eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits if one of the following applies to you:
• You served at least 30 days of continuous active-duty service after September 10, 2001 and were discharged due to a service-connected disability.
• You served an aggregate of 90 days of active-duty after September 10, 2001.
• You received a Purple Heart after September 10, 2001.
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Montgomery GI Bill Eligibility
There are four categories under which you can be eligible to receive benefits through MGIB-AD. All require you to have a high school diploma, GED, or 12 hours of college credit. Additional eligibility criteria depend on factors such as when you entered active duty and whether your military pay was reduced during service.
You may be eligible for MGIB-SR benefits if you:
• Agreed to serve for six years in the Selected Reserve, or
• Are an officer in the Selected Reserve and you agreed to serve six years in addition to your initial service obligation
Your obligation must have started after June 30 1985, or after September 30, 1990, depending on the type of training, and you must meet additional eligibility requirements.
Benefits Provided
Here’s a breakdown of the benefits offered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Tuition/Fee Coverage
If you’re a veteran who qualifies for full benefits and you attend a public school as a state resident, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay all of your tuition and any mandatory fees directly to your school. You may also be eligible to receive the in-state tuition rate at an out-of-state school.
If you choose to attend a private or foreign institution of higher learning or a qualifying non-college degree program, a predetermined maximum amount (currently up to $29,920.95) will be paid to your school annually. Benefits for flight training and online schools, which have their own maximums, may also be available.
Monthly Housing Allowance
The Post-9/11 GI Bill also pays a monthly college housing allowance. The program will pay you a percentage of the full monthly housing allowance (MHA) based on the percentage of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits you’re eligible for and how many credits you’re taking.
If you’re taking 100% of your classes online, you may be eligible for MHA based on half the national average. If you started using your benefits on or after January 1, 2018, you’ll receive up to $1,169.00.
Books and Supplies
If you’re wondering how to pay for your college textbooks, under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may be able to receive up to $1,000 annually for books and supplies. This stipend is paid out at the beginning of each term and is based on the percentage of benefits you’re eligible for and the number of courses you’re enrolled in for the year.
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Applying for GI Bill Benefits
If you’re a veteran and interested in getting military assistance to help you pay for college, you’ll need to apply for GI Bill benefits. Here’s a look at what’s involved.
Required Documents
To apply, you’ll need:
• Your Social Security number
• Bank account direct deposit information
• Education history
• Military history
• Basic information about the school or training facility you want to attend or are currently attending
Application Process
You can apply for benefits online using the VA’s website, by calling 888-442-4551 to request a paper form, or by visiting your nearest VA regional office.
It takes the VA an average of 30 days to process an application. If the VA determines you are eligible for educational benefits, you’ll receive a Certificate of Eligibility that you can provide to the school you’ve chosen.
Military Tuition Assistance
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) also offers education benefits to Active and Reserve Component service members who wish to pursue approved courses of study in their off-duty time. This is one of the many ways you can save money while serving in the military.
Called the Military Tuition Assistance (TA) program, it will pay up to 100% of tuition and course-specific fees, with a limit of $250 per semester credit hour and an annual limit of up to $4,500. TA covers undergraduate, graduate, vocational, licensure, certificate, and language courses, or the completion of high school education. Funding may be used for tuition and course-specific fees for both classroom-based and distance learning, but it does not cover housing, books and other expenses. Details are available through each service branch’s website.
State Benefits for Veterans
Many states offer education benefits that veterans can use along with, or as an alternative to, federal GI Bill benefits. To learn more about these free money benefits — which may include tuition waivers, scholarships, grants, and other programs — you can visit the Department of Veterans Affairs or Department of Education website for your state. Your military branch may also have information about the various benefits available in your state.
Local and regional veterans service organizations also offer scholarship opportunities to qualified candidates. And your employer may use educational assistance programs to help you with tuition or student loan repayment.
The Takeaway
If you’re hoping to further your education when your military service is complete, the GI Bill can help you pay for college, graduate school, and various training and certification programs. Depending on factors such as when and how long you served, you may receive help paying for a large portion of your education expenses, including tuition and fees, education-related supplies, and housing costs.
Beyond the GI Bill, you may also qualify for assistance through state resources, local and regional organizations, your employer, and federal student loans.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
FAQ
Can GI Bill benefits be transferred to dependents?
If you meet certain service requirements, you may be able to transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to an eligible dependent. You can apply for a Transfer of Education Benefits through the DOD.
Do GI Bill education benefits expire for veterans?
It depends. If you were discharged from active duty on or after January 1, 2013, your benefits won’t expire. If you were discharged before January 1, 2013, your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits expire 15 years after you separate from the military.
MGIB benefits must be used within 10 years after your separation date. After that, you could lose any benefits you haven’t used, although the VA may grant an extension under certain circumstances.
What education benefits can I get if I’m still in the military?
If you’re still serving in the military, you may be eligible for education benefits through the GI Bill, the DOD’s Military Tuition Assistance, and other programs. You can get more information on the VA website or through your military branch.
Photo credit: iStock/Drazen Zigic
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