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 a challenge.
If you’ve been wondering how — and how much — the military pays for college, here’s a look at some GI Bill basics.
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 offer various financial and social benefits to World War II veterans after they returned home. Those benefits included small business loans, mortgages, and education grants.
Today, 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. Depending on how long you were in the military, it provides up to 100% of your tuition, money for housing, and a stipend for books and supplies.
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 extended — and expanded — several times. As a result, there are multiple parts and programs 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 have served on active duty for at least 90 days since Sept. 10, 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, or licensing/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 on active duty and meet the requirements.
The Active Duty Montgomery GI Bill (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 Selected Reserve and Guard Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB-SR) provides educational assistance to eligible members of the Selected Reserve, including National Guard members. 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:
Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
If you have a disability connected to your military service that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, the VR&E program can help. 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 (DEA)
The DEA program is for eligible spouses and children of veterans who were disabled, died, went missing in action (MIA), or were held as a prisoner of war (POW) during their service. It provides 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 generally based on when you served, how long you served on active duty, and other factors. You also have to have been honorably discharged.
Though you may qualify for more than one type of GI Bill educational benefit, you can generally use only one benefit for a period of service; so you may have to decide which one is the best fit for your needs. (You can call the VA at 888-442-4551 if you need help making a choice.) Here are the eligibility requirements for different GI Bill programs.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility
If you served in the military after Sept. 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) will be based on how long you served on active duty and other criteria.
To be eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits, you must meet one of these qualifications:
• You have served at least 30 days of continuous active-duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and have been discharged due to a service-connected disability. Or:
• You have served an aggregate of 90 days of active-duty or federal service after Sept. 10, 2001, and received an honorable discharge.
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Montgomery GI Bill Eligibility
You may be eligible for the MGIB-AD if you:
• Served between two and four years after June 30, 1985.
• Have a high school diploma, GED, or 12 hours of college credit.
• Had your military pay reduced by $100 a month for the first 12 months of service.
You can find a full list of eligibility criteria here.
You may be eligible for MGIB-SR benefits if you:
• Agreed to serve for a period after June 30, 1985 (or for some types of training, after Sept. 30, 1990)
And either:
• Agreed to serve six years in the Selected Reserve, or:
• You’re an officer in the Selected Reserve and you agreed to serve six years in addition to your initial service obligation.
You can find a full list of eligibility requirements here.
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 also may be eligible to receive the in-state tuition rate for 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 $27,120.05) will be paid to your school annually. Benefits for flight training and virtual/online schools, which have their own maximums, also may 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 based on the percentage of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits you’re eligible for, as well as how many credits you’re taking.
If you are taking 100% of your classes online, you may be eligible for a monthly stipend equal to half of the national average stipend, which is currently $967.40.
Book and Supplies
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may be able to receive an annual stipend of up to $1,000 per year to pay 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 the military to pay for college, you’ll need to apply for GI Bill benefits. Here’s a look at what’s involved.
Required Documents
Some of the information you’ll be asked for when you apply may include:
• Your Social Security number
• Direct deposit bank account information
• Education history
• Military history
• Basic information about the educational institution or training facility you want to attend
Application Process
You can apply for benefits online at the VA’s website. Alternatively, you can apply by mail. Simply call 888-442-4551 to request an application. Once you receive the application and fill it out, you can send it to the VA regional processing office that’s right for you (you can use this online VA locator). You can also apply 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 (COE) 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 current active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve Component service members who wish to pursue post-secondary education 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 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 up to $4,500. Degrees and programs of study covered include undergraduate and graduate programs, vocational/technical, distance learning, and independent studies. (Housing, books, and other expenses aren’t covered.) 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, their federal GI Bill benefits. To find out about these 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 also may 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 provide help with tuition or student loan repayment as part of their veteran financial well-being programs.
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 a variety of training and certification programs. Depending on when you served, how long you served, and some other factors, 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 also may qualify to receive 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 the GI Bill 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 (TEB) through the Department of Defense.
Do GI Bill education benefits expire for veterans?
It depends. If you were discharged from active duty on or after Jan. 1, 2013, your benefits won’t ever expire. But if you were discharged before Jan. 1, 2013, your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will expire 15 years after you separate from the military.
Montgomery GI Bill benefits must be used within 10 years after your separation date. After that, you could lose any benefits you haven’t used, although the Department of Veteran Affairs (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 Department of Defense’s Military Tuition Assistance, and other programs. You can get information at the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) website or through your military branch.
Photo credit: iStock/Drazen Zigic
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