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Post-9/11 GI Bill: The Ultimate Overview

There are several different versions of the GI Bill, but here we are discussing the Post-9/11 GI Bill.  About 80% of all users of the GI Bill utilize this version. To be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you must have active military service on or after September 11, 2001.

Some may qualify for both the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Some want to know how to transfer from the Montgomery GI Bill to the Post-9/11 GI Bill so they can use the benefits listed below.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

• College Degrees – Associate, Bachelor, or higher
• Vocational/Technical Training, including non-college programs
• On-the-Job/Apprenticeship Programs
• Licensing & Certification Reimbursement
• National Testing Programs like SAT, CLEP, AP, DSST
• Flight Training
• Correspondence Training
• Work-study
• Tuition Assistance Top-Up
• Tutorial Assistance

What Costs Does the Post-9/11 GI Bill Cover?

• Up to 100% Tuition and Fee Coverage
• Monthly Housing Allowance (see GI Bill BAH Rates)
• A stipend for Books and Supplies
• Ability to Transfer GI Bill to spouse and dependents
• Housing Allowance
• If you go to a state school, the GI Bill covers tuition & fees for approved classes.
• There is a monthly housing allowance. Rates depend on whether you take in person or online classes, or a combination of both.
• The GI Bill BAH Rate is equivalent to the Basic Allowance for Housing rate that an E-5 with dependents would receive.
• Your housing allowance rate is based on the ZIP code of the school you are attending the majority of classes.
• You are not eligible for a housing allowance if you are on active duty.

There are a few differences if you attend a private or foreign school. Your tuition reimbursement is limited to a legislatively mandated maximum amount that changes yearly.

Schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program have partnered with the VA to help offset the costs not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.  Here is a list of participating Yellow Ribbon Schools.

>> Use CollegeRecon’s Program Matcher to find GI Bill®-Approved Schools.  This tool will take your Education Goals and find schools with matching programs.

Vocational/Technical School

Want to learn a trade or sharpen your technical skills? The Post-9/11 GI Bill will help you. If you want to go to a technical or trade school to learn:

• Radiology Technician
• Computer Networking
• Cake Decorating
• Law Enforcement
• Dental Hygiene
• And many more…

The GI Bill will basically pay you the same amount as if you were going to college.

Testing Programs – SAT, LSAT, GMAT, LCAT

Need to take a test to get into college like the SAT, LSAT, GMAT, or LCAT? Want to take a test for college credit like the CLEP, DSST, or AP test?

The GI Bill will pay you up to a specified cap for each test. There’s no limit to the number of tests you can take, and it doesn’t matter if you pass or not. You can even retake tests you passed if the test is required to recertify or keep a license you need for work.

Certification & Licensing Programs

Looking to get a certification or license for a profession such as:

• Realtor
• Mechanic
• Medical Technician
• Therapist
• Computer Network Engineer
• Website Developer
• Project Manager
• Other professionals

The GI Bill covers that, and your tests may be reimbursed by the VA. There is no limit to the number of tests you can take or the number of times you may take the same test. The VA will pay for tests even if you fail them.

On-the-Job and Apprenticeship Training

Want to become a master of skilled trades or professions like union plumber, firefighter, steamfitter, electrician, or gunsmith? The GI Bill will pay for approved apprenticeship or on-the-job training programs that allow you to get paid your GI Bill money while you draw a paycheck.

The payment process for these programs works a bit differently than other GI Bill programs.

When you are in an apprenticeship program you draw a salary. Usually, you start out with a very low rate of pay and get raises every six months while you are in training. Depending on your job, an apprenticeship can last 18-36 months until you reach fully qualified or journeyman status.

Flight Training

If you flew planes in the military, you might like to do that after you get out. The problem is that to fly commercial aircraft, you usually need platform-specific qualifications. These qualifications can be very expensive; for example, a B787 rating can cost you upwards of $30,000, depending on your current certification. The GI Bill will help you pay for those expensive classes.

To get a flight rating, you usually need classroom, simulator, and flight hours, this can vary. For example, if you’ve already qualified on the MH60 or UH60 helicopter, you may not need as many sim, flying, or classroom hours as somebody who has never flown one.

Flight School Payment Amounts

Payment amounts vary depending on what type of school you are going to.

If you are enrolled in a degree program that includes flight training at a state college, the GI Bill pays for tuition, plus a monthly housing allowance and a stipend for books and supplies.

For degree program that consists of flight training at a private college, you may be reimbursed up to the full cost of the training or the legislatively mandated national maximum amount (whichever is less) each year. You may also receive a monthly housing allowance and a books-and-supplies stipend.

For vocational flight training programs, you may be reimbursed the cost of the training up to the annual maximum amount mandated by law.

Tuition Assistance Top-Up

If you’re on active duty, you may use Tuition Assistance. Tuition Assistance is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

While Tuition Assistance can technically pay the full cost of your college tuition, most branches normally pay a maximum of 75% of the tuition. You must pay for your books and other expenses out of pocket.

This is where Tuition Assistance Top-Up comes in. The Tuition Assistance Top-Up program will pay you your GI Bill to make up the difference between what Tuition Assistance pays and your actual charges.

Using Tuition Assistance Top-Up is a good deal if you plan to use Tuition Assistance to complete a degree while on active duty, and don’t plan to continue your education after service.

Tuition Assistance Top-Up can also be helpful for just taking a few courses with Tuition Assistance while on active duty. Then, you can save most of your GI Bill to use after you get out of the military to complete your education in a military-friendly college.

You should carefully consider your situation and check with your education officer or counselor before applying for a Tuition Assistance Top-Up.

Tutoring

The VA will pay up to a specified cap (see VA.gov for current rates) for a private tutor, up to a maximum amount that may vary from year to year. The tutor must meet the college’s qualifications and can’t be a close relative.

NEXT STEP: How to Get Your Post-911 GI Bill Benefits

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What education and training programs are covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers many learning options: college degrees, vocational and technical training, on-the-job and apprenticeship programs, flight training, certification and licensing programs, and more.

What costs does the Post-9/11 GI Bill cover?

The GI Bill may cover up to 100% of tuition and fees at qualifying public schools, provide a monthly housing allowance, and offer up to $1,000 annually for books and supplies. It also includes the option to transfer benefits to your spouse or dependents.

What is the Yellow Ribbon Program, and how does it work with the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a partnership between the VA and participating schools that helps cover costs not fully covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. It can significantly reduce eligible veterans’ out-of-pocket expenses at participating private colleges.

 

 

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