Post-9/11 GI Bill ® (Chapter 33): General Information Who is eligible for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill ®? Individuals who serve at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001 are eligible. To be eligible for 100% of the benefit, an individual must have served an aggregate of 36 months of active duty service, or have been discharged for a service-connected disability after 30 days of continuous service. For those who served fewer than 36 months, the percentage of benefit ranges from 40% to 90%:90% - 30 total months 70% -18 total months 50% - 6 total months80% - 24 total months 60% -12 total months 40% - 90 or more days. For example, an individual with five months of qualifying service could receive 40% of the tuition benefit, 40% of the monthly housing allowance, and a maximum of $400 books and supplies stipend. Veterans must have an honorable discharge or other qualifying discharge (e.g. hardship, condition interfering with duty, etc.) to be eligible. What benefits do students receive under the Post-9/11 GI Bill ®? Depending on each individual’s situation, benefits could include payment of tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, a stipend for books and supplies, and a Yellow Ribbon benefit. Post-9/11 GI Bill ® benefits differ from other education assistance programs in that each type of payment is issued separately, with some payments made directly to the school and others issued to the individual. Tuition and Fees These payments are issued to the school on behalf of the individual at the time the certificate of enrollment is processed. Not on Title 10 active duty For individuals not on active duty, the amount is prorated according to length of service. The amount paid is limited to the highest amount of tuition and fees charged for full-time, undergraduate training at a public institution of higher learning in the state where the student is enrolled. (A chart of maximum in-state tuition and fees for 2008-2009 is on the VA GI Bill ® website, found here.)On Title 10 active duty Individuals on Title 10 active duty may receive the total amount of tuition and fees. The amount is not limited to the state maximum. Monthly living stipend Based on BAH for an E-5 with dependents in school’s zip code. This payment is issued directly to the student at the beginning of each month for education and training pursued the previous month. The amount is prorated based on length of service. Check for rates. NOTE: Title 10 Active duty personnel are not eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill ® monthly housing allowance. Students enrolled at half-time or less and/or taking 100% of their courses at a distance (online, etc.) are also not eligible for the housing allowance. Books and supplies stipendUp to $1000 per year payment is issued directly to the student when the school certifies and VAprocesses the enrollment. This benefit is paid proportionately at $41.67 per credit and is prorated based on length of service. NOTE: Title 10 Active duty personnel are not eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill ® books and supplies stipend. Yellow Ribbon paymentsThe Yellow Ribbon Program allows degree-granting institutions to enter into a voluntary agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate for individuals eligible for the 100% payment tier. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution. This payment is issued to the school when the school certifies and VA processes the student’s enrollment. (For details, click here.) What kind of education and training does the Post-9/11 GI Bill ® cover?Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill ® includes graduate and undergraduate degrees. All training programs must be offered by a degree-granting institution of higher learning (IHL) and approved for GI Bill ® benefits. Additionally, tutorial assistance and reimbursement for one licensing or certification test are available under the Post 9/11 GI Bill ®. NOTE: If an individual is eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill ® as well as other GI Bill ® benefits, he or she will be required to make an irrevocable choice of which benefit to receive. Individuals who were previously eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill ®-Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30), Montgomery GI Bill ®-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606), or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP, Chapter 1607) may continue to receive benefits for approved programs not offered by degree-granting institutions. These programs include flight, correspondence, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, preparatory courses, and national tests. Individuals in these programs will be paid as if they are still receiving benefits under Chapters 30, 1606, and 1607. When will benefits be paid?The Post-9/11 GI Bill ® is effective for training on or after August 1, 2009. What is the eligibility period?The period of eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill ® ends 15 years from the date of the last discharge or release from active duty of at least; 90 consecutive days; 30 days but less than 90 days if released for a service-connected disability; 15 years from the date of discharge for the last period of service used to meet the minimum service requirements of 90 aggregate days of service. Click here for information on transferability for ARNG soldiers » For more information go to: http://www.gibill.va.gov or call toll-free 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
