How to use your GI Bill benefits
- Work toward a degree. Funding for tuition and housing at a school located outside the U.S.
- Train for a specific career, trade, or industry.
- Work while you study.
- Take classes from home.
Full Answer
What are the benefits of the GI Bill?
GI Bill benefits help you pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying Veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training. Learn more about GI Bill benefits below—and how to apply for them. If you applied for and were awarded Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits, your GI Bill Statement ...
How do I contact GI Bill?
- Army Active-Duty Officer (Email)
- Army Active-Duty Enlisted (Email)
- Army National Guard (Email)
- Army Reserve (Enlisted and Officer) (Email)
- Navy Active-Duty Personnel 866-827-5672 or DSN 882-5672
- Navy Reserve (Email) or 800-621-8853, Fax: 757-444-7597/7598
- Marine Corps Active-Duty Officer (Email)
- Marine Corps Active-Duty Enlisted (Email)
What are the educational benefits of GI Bill?
- College
- Business Technical or Vocational Courses
- Correspondence Courses
- Apprenticeship/Job Training
- Flight Training
- Licensing & Testing Programs
Who is eligible for GI Bill?
GI Bill: Vietnam Veterans & the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Any veteran or servicemember who served at least 90 days of active duty service after September 10, 2001 will qualify for this new education benefit. Those veterans who did not opt into the Montgomery GI Bill and/or participated in the VEAP program will still be eligible for this benefit.
How do I get GI Bill benefits?
Veterans: 5 Ways to Maximize Your GI Bill BenefitsSave your benefits for your most expensive tuition bill.Take at least one class per semester in person.Earn as many credits as you can per semester.Beware of misleading schools.Submit the FAFSA.
How do I find out if I qualify for GI Bill?
You'll need to request a new Certificate of Eligibility letter to check your GI Bill benefit status. To request a COE, please call the Education Call Center at 888-442-4551. We're here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
How long do you have to be in the military to qualify for the GI Bill?
90 daysYou may be eligible for benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill if you've served on active duty for at least 90 days, whether continuous (all at once) or interrupted (for shorter periods over time), after September 10, 2001.
How do I get money from my GI Bill?
You can also apply:Call 888-442-4551, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, to request that we send the application to you. ... Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee help you. ... You can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help applying for education benefits.
Which GI Bill is best?
So, which is better? In most scenarios, the Post-9/11 GI Bill offers veteran students more financial assistance than the MGIB, especially when pursuing a standard, four-year degree at an accredited higher learning institution or passing your benefits to a dependent. There are a few exceptions, however.
What disqualifies you from VA benefits?
If you're a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard, you must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don't qualify for VA health care.
What GPA is required for GI Bill?
2.0 semester grade-Students receiving any of the Federal VA Education Benefits listed below are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress by earning a minimum 2.0 semester grade-point average (GPA) and complete at least 67% of the courses attempted within the semester: Post 9/11 GI Bill ®* (Chapter 33)
What does the GI Bill pay monthly?
This Post 9/11 GI Bill will provide up to $2,000 to cover the cost of one licensing or certification test. This benefit is not charged against your 36 month entitlement. The new GI Bill will provide up to a maximum of $1,200 for tutorial assistance. The program will pay up to $100 per month, for a maximum of 12 months.
How much will my GI Bill pay me?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill also pays a Monthly Housing Allowance based on the ZIP code of the location of the school or campus you are attending the majority of your classes. This stipend currently averages $1,801 a month, but can exceed $2,700 depending on where you go to school.
Can you live off of the GI Bill?
If you're like me, you'll find out real quick that the GI Bill alone doesn't cover as much as it sounds like it will and that monthly BAH stipend disappears fast. So, I'm passing along my tricks on how you can squeeze every dollar out of the benefits you earned, making it possible to actually survive off the GI Bill.
Can I use my GI Bill to buy a house?
The GI Bill offers veterans, military members, and their loved ones many benefits. But one thing it doesn't cover? That'd be buying a house.
Can you use GI Bill and fafsa?
In short, yes, you can use your GI Bill benefits and file FAFSA® to get federal financial aid to help pay your tuition and higher education costs. In fact, we highly suggested that all potential students file FAFSA®. This includes current military members and veterans.
Am I eligible for VA education benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
You may be eligible for benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill if you’ve served on active duty for at least 90 days, whether continuous (all at onc...
Am I eligible for VA education benefits through the Montgomery GI Bill?
You may be eligible for benefits through one of our Montgomery GI Bill programs. Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) You can get benefits thro...
How many total months of VA education benefits can I get?
You may be able to get a maximum of 48 months of VA education benefits—not including Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits. But many app...
Can I get VA education benefits through other programs?
You may be able to get help paying for school tuition, testing fees, and advanced licensing and certifications through other VA educational assista...
Can I get educational and career counseling through VA?
You may be able to get free educational and career counseling through the Personalized Career Planning and Guidance program (Chapter 36) if you mee...
Are there any related benefits I may also be able to get?
If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, you may be eligible for Veteran Readiness...
What should I do if I received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge?
If you’ve received one of these discharge statuses, you may not be eligible for VA benefits. There are 2 ways you can try to qualify: Find out how...
Can my spouse or dependent children get VA education benefits?
In some cases, the dependent or surviving spouse and children of a Veteran can get educational assistance through a GI Bill program. Learn more abo...
Am I eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits?
You may be eligible for education benefits if you meet at least one of these requirements. At least one of these must be true: You served at least...
What if I qualify for other VA education benefits too?
You can use only 1 education benefit for a period of service. You’ll have to choose which education benefit you’d like to use. Once you make this c...
How many total months of VA education benefits can I get?
You may be able to get a maximum of 48 months of VA education benefits—not including Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits. But many app...
What benefits can I get through the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)?
Tuition and fees. If you qualify for the maximum benefit, we’ll cover the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees. We cap the rates for pri...
Do these benefits expire?
This depends on when you were discharged from active duty. If your service ended before January 1, 2013, your Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benef...
How do I get these benefits?
You’ll need to apply. Apply for education benefits The benefit amount depends on which school you go to, how much active-duty service you’ve had s...
How do I know how much of my Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are left?
If you already applied for and were awarded Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits, your GI Bill Statement of Benefits will show you how much of your...
Can my family members or I get any additional benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)?
You may qualify for these additional benefits: If you need more money to cover higher private-school or out-of-state tuition, you can apply for the...
How can I use my Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits?
You can use your GI Bill benefits in many ways to advance your education and training. Work toward a degree: Undergraduate and graduate degrees Tui...
Benefit rates and ways you can use your benefits
Learn more about education benefit rates for tuition and books for qualifying Veterans and their family members.
Other GI Bill programs you may qualify for
If you served at least 2 years on active duty, find out if you qualify for benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty program.
More GI Bill benefits and information
Find out if your school participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which can help pay tuition costs that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover.
Work toward a degree
Help paying for tuition, books, and housing at an institution of higher learning (like a 4-year university, community college, or graduate school)
Train for a specific career, trade, or industry
Reimbursement for the cost of tests to become a licensed or certified professional, or to apply for college or a training course
Work while you study
Help with paying for tuition, books, and housing if you’re part of a college or university co-op training program
Take classes from home
Funding for correspondence training (coursework completed by mail, online, or by some other device) if you want to take classes from home or live far from any schools
How long can you transfer GI Bill benefits to spouse?
Also, if you haven’t used all of your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, you may be able to transfer up to 36 months of benefits to your spouse or a dependent child. Learn more about transferring benefits.
What are the benefits of VA education?
VA education benefits can help you pay your tuition, pick out a school, choose a career, and more. If you’re an active-duty service member or Veteran, a member of the National Guard or Reserves, or a qualified survivor or dependent, find out if you can get VA education benefits through the GI Bill and other educational assistance programs.
Can dependent children get VA education?
Can my spouse or dependent children get VA education benefits? In some cases, the dependent or surviving spouse and children of a Veteran can get educational assistance through a GI Bill program . Also, if you haven’t used all of your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, you may be able to transfer up to 36 months of benefits to your spouse ...
What is MHA in GI Bill?
Previously, GI Bill beneficiaries were paid Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) based on the main or branch campus of the school they were enrolled. If a student attended classes at more than one location, they were paid the rate that was most advantageous.
How long can you receive federal unemployment benefits?
You can receive up to 36 months of benefits, including: Tuition and fees. If you qualify for the maximum benefit, we’ll cover the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees. We cap the rates for private and foreign schools, and update those rates each year.
How much is the state of Florida tuition if you served 3 years?
So if your school charges $22,000 for in-state tuition and fees, you would receive $8,800 if you had 90 days of active service and the full $22,000 if you had 3 years of active service. Note that this will change August 1, 2020.
How long did you serve in the military after 9/11?
You: Served at least 90 days on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) on or after September 11, 2001, or. Received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or.
Can I transfer my GI Bill to my spouse?
If you’re a qualified service member, you can transfer all 36 months or a portion of your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse or child.
Is the GI Bill trademarked?
Get more information. Compare benefits by school. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The absence of the registration symbol ® does not constitute a waiver of VA’s trademark rights in that phrase.
What time does the GI Bill tool work?
This tool is available Sunday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET. If none of the above situations applies to you, and you think your Statement of Benefits should be here, please call the GI Bill Hotline at 888-442-4551.
Can I get a GI bill statement online?
You: Note: At this time, the GI Bill benefit statement isn't available online to family members and dependents. You'll need to request a new Certificate of Eligibility letter to check your GI Bill benefit status. To request a COE, please call the Education Call Center at 888-442-4551.
Eligibility for a percentage of benefits based on how long you served on active duty
If you served on active duty for less than 36 months, you’re not eligible for the full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit. Find out what percentage of the full benefit you’re eligible for based on the amount of time you served on active duty:
VA benefits
Education and training Apply for and manage your GI Bill and other education benefits to help pay for college and training programs.
What time do you call VA for GI Bill?
You can’t make changes to your application, but if you have questions about VA education benefits, please call 888-442-4551, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET. If we’ve asked you for documents, please upload them through the GI Bill website. Go to the GI Bill website.
How to apply for VA disability?
By mail. Call 888-442-4551, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, to request that we send the application to you. Fill it out and mail it to the VA regional claims processing office that’s in the same location as your school. See a list of regional claims processing offices.
Choose a School
Compare VA-approved institutions and review other information to choose the educational program that works best for you.
Resources
The absence of the registration symbol ® does not constitute a waiver of VA's trademark rights in that phrase.
