Post 9/11 GI Bill® Benefits
The Post 9/11 GI Bill® is an education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. You may be eligible if you served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty* after September 10, 2001, or were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability after serving 30 continuous days following September 10, 2001.
What Post 9/11 GI Bill® Benefits Will I Receive?
You may receive a percentage of the following payments (see chart).
- A Tuition and Fee payment that is paid to your school on your behalf
- A Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)** that is equal to:
- the basic allowance for housing (BAH) payable for the zip code of your school to a military E-5 with dependents for students pursuing resident training
- one-half the BAH national average for students training solely by distance learning
- the national average BAH for students pursuing training at foreign schools
- A Books and Supplies Stipend of up to $1000 per year
NOTES:
*includes active service as a National Guard member under title 32 U.S.C. for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training and active service under section 502(f) of title 32 for the purpose of responding to a national emergency.
**The MHA is not payable to individuals on active duty or those enrolled at half time or less.
Benefits and Eligibility
For approved programs, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally payable for 15 years following your release from active duty. Institutions of higher learning participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program may make additional funds available for your education program without an additional charge to your GI Bill entitlement. The following payments may also be available:
- Monthly housing allowance
- Annual books and supplies stipend
- One-time rural benefit payment
How Many Months of Assistance from the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Can I Receive?
Generally, you may receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
You will be eligible for benefits for 15 years from your last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days.
What Kind of Training Can I Take Under the Post-9/11 GI BILL®
You can use the Post-9/11 GI Bill at colleges, universities, trade schools, and for on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and flight schools. To see what programs are currently approved for VA benefits, go to our website, www.gibill.va.gov. You can use the Post-9/11 GI Bill® for tutorial assistance, licensing (attorney license, cosmetology license, etc.) and certification tests (SAT, LSAT, etc.).
NOTE: If the program you are interested in isn’t on our website, contact your State Approving Agency (list available on www.gibill.va.gov) to see if it can be approved.
Can I Transfer My Entitlement to My Dependents?
You must be a member of the uniformed services to transfer your unused benefits to your spouse or dependent(s). Generally, you must agree to serve four more years when transferring benefits.
What is The Yellow Ribbon Program
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® can cover all in-state tuition and fees at public degree granting schools, but may not cover all private degree granting schools and out-of-state tuition. The Yellow Ribbon Program provides additional support in those situations. Institutions voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund uncovered charges. VA matches each dollar of unmet charges the institution agrees to contribute, up to the total cost of the tuition and fees.
