There are many ways to use military benefits to pay for higher education. You may qualify for in-state tuition rates attending school using the GI Bill, Veteran Readiness and Employment, and in some cases, the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA). Learn more.
Is the GI Bill offered to members of the National Guard and the Reserve? Qualifying for the GI Bill means serving a minimum time in uniform. If you meet those requirements, depending on when you joined and the type of military service you performed, you may qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill or the Post-9/11…
If you’ve used some of your GI Bill benefits, you may need to know how much time remains before your GI Bill expires. Learn more.
Which GI Bill is better? There is no single answer to this question as much depends on the student’s needs, circumstances, and educational goals. It’s better to compare GI Bill programs and options side-by-side to see which features are most important. Learn more.
When did the GI Bill start? Believe it or not, the GI Bill we know today is the product of a long and winding history, starting with the very first version of the program known as the GI Bill of Rights, signed into law on June 22, 1944. The Very First GI BIll The original…
Is it possible to top up the GI Bill? There are multiple types of military education benefits. While the Department of Veterans Affairs offers the GI Bill, other options exist, including the Yellow Ribbon program, John D. Fry Scholarships, and Tuition Assistance programs. And depending on the program, there are also options to “top up”…
Can you use eBenefits to manage your GI Bill? This VA/DoD partnership has changed over the years, but eBenefits is still an important resource for those who can use the portal. We’ll examine its GI Bill features below. A Brief History of eBenefits In 2007, the President’s Commission on Care for Returning Wounded Warriors recommended…
If you are pursuing higher education in an in-demand technical field, you may qualify for an extension of your federal military education benefits thanks to a program called the Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship. Technically speaking, this isn’t so much an extension of the GI Bill as it is a program meant to enhance it.
Is it possible to use the GI Bill to buy a house? This is a common question about GI Bill benefits, and the answer confuses some…at first. The short answer is no; you typically cannot use the GI Bill to purchase a home. But why not, and what program can you use to buy a home instead of the GI Bill?
Does the GI Bill pay for on-the-job training? Using federal education benefits like the GI Bill in non-traditional ways is a major help. Read more.
One of the most frequently asked questions about the GI Bill is how much time you have to use it. How long until the GI Bill expires? Is it possible to lose your GI Bill benefit? The answer depends greatly on which GI Bill program you are using and when you signed up, as we’ll explore. Read more.
If you plan to go to college using GI Bill benefits, you might wonder if the GI Bill is taxable. Examining the tax implications of your student financial aid is essential, especially if you hope to claim federal tax credits for your education expenses. The article below is not tax advice; consider this a primer for your own tax research or when discussing your VA benefits with a tax professional. Learn more.
If you have never used American Forces Travel, you’ll find a variety of discounts, special rates, and other options for military members and their families. These official military travel discounts are available thanks to a partnership between the DoD’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation MWR department and the commercial travel company Priceline.The Department of Defense describes American Forces Travel is a one-stop travel booking site for servicemembers and their families.
Do you need to check the status of your application for the Post-9/11 GI Bill? There are ways to check the status of your application, and how you can do that may depend on your status as an active duty service member, veteran, military spouse or school-age dependent. Learn more.
In cases where you receive the GI Bill and are failing a class, you may wonder if you have to repay the VA for getting a “punitive” grade. Did you know that failing a class is, according to VA.gov, still considered academic progress? Learn more.
Is there a GI Bill book stipend for your program? If you plan to use your GI Bill benefits, you’ll want to know how much of your total school expenses might be covered by those benefits. Books and supplies are an important part of those calculations. Read more.
A very common question for some beginning the journey toward higher education is, “What GI Bill do I have?” If you are a veteran, eligible family, an active duty service member, a Reservist, or a National Guard member, you may qualify for one or more VA benefits under the GI Bill. The first step is knowing which program you are in and how to check your GI Bill status.
One of the most common questions about the GI Bill? Many newcomers to the program want to know how to activate the GI Bill; is the benefit automatic? When can you start using it? We answer those questions and more.
Is the GI Bill considered income? There are multiple reasons to ask this question, including whether or not you should expect to be taxed on the GI Bill and whether or not it can be considered income to apply for a VA home loan or other lines of credit.
The Veterans Eligible to Transfer School (VETS) Credit Act was created to help students attending school on the GI Bill in cases where the school closes or is no longer approved for VA programs. Learn more.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a military education benefit that dependents and spouses can be transferred to them by an active duty parent or spouse to get a college degree, certification, or license through an approved program. How can spouses and college-age dependents (military-speak for the military member’s children) access this military benefit? Who…
The Department of Veterans Affairs offered an education benefit to veterans called VEAP. the Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program. Qualifying veterans were be eligible for a 2-to-1 matching contribution from the government for education benefits. This program offered money for tuition and certain fees for VA-approved programs. Depending on the amount of the student’s VEAP contributions,…
Update 3/1/2024: The Department of Veterans Affairs has modified its official site to help expedite applications like the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship. VA.gov advises all applicants to sign in via ID.me, MyHealtheVet, DS Logon, or Login.gov before completing application forms. This is because the system has been modified to allow the VA to auto-fill…
Veteran Education Benefits for the National Guard and Reserve There are two basic ways to serve in uniform; commit to a full-time, active duty service commitment or choose part-time service as a member of the National Guard or Reserve. Those who choose the Guard or Reserve learn their military benefits–especially education benefits–aren’t as generous as…
Active Duty & Veterans’ Post 9/11 GI Bill Application Guide The Post 9/11 GI Bill is among the most important military benefits you can earn. This guide includes step-by-step instructions on how to fill out the application form and submit it to claim your Post 9.11 GI Bill benefits. This is not a guide to…
