Is there a GI Bill book stipend for your program? If you are planning 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.
Some may qualify for more than one VA education benefits program; you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may be eligible for the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program, or you may qualify for Veteran Readiness and Employment.
Is there a GI Bill book stipend for all programs? Your experience may vary depending on the GI Bill or other VA benefit, when you joined or separated from the military, and other variables.
Post-9/11 Book Stipend
The Post-9/11 GI Bill features a book stipend, which is payable “up to $1000 each term” for books and supplies. This money is paid to the student, not to the school.
Read more: Post-9/11 GI Bill Application Guide for Active Duty and Veterans
Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) Book Stipend
At press time, the Department of Veterans Affairs official site does not list a book stipend for this version of the GI Bill. This version covers tuition and fees but not books.
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) Book Stipend
The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve does not include payments for books. It covers tuition and fees.
Veteran Readiness and Employment Book Stipend
This VA veteran education benefit program offers payment for books and supplies. The student’s costs are “100% covered” and this may be paid directly to the school.
Fry Scholarship Book Stipend
VA.gov says those attending school on the Fry Scholarship may qualify “for up to $1,000 each academic year for books and supplies. We base your payment on how many courses you’re enrolled in for the year.”
Read more: John D. Fry Scholarship for Surviving Children and Spouses
Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) Book Stipend
The VA official site does not list information regarding a book stipend for the VA DEA program. It simply says the monthly benefit is paid “directly to the student” but does not list specifics.
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Book Stipend
VA.gov says the Rogers STEM Scholarship benefits are paid related to the GI Bill program you used to complete approved STEM courses. The official site refers visitors to the Post-9/11 GI Bill page to view those rates which include mention of up to $1000 per term for approved books and supplies.
Read more: Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
National Call to Service Program
VA education benefits under this program are paid similarly to the Montgomery GI Bill, which does not feature a book stipend.
Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) Book Stipend
This program covers money for tuition only and does not pay a book stipend.
What to Know if You Qualify for More Than One VA Education Benefit
VA.gov advises using caution when deciding which benefit to use. “Your decision to apply for a certain education benefit could impact your eligibility for other benefits” according to the official site and you should know that choosing between one version of the GI Bill or the other (just one example) is irreversible.
- If you’re eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and two or more additional education benefits, the VA says you “must give up one of the additional education benefits.”
- You may “remain eligible for the benefit or benefits” you did not give up.
- Use the VA comparison chart to compare VA education benefits
Read more: How to Switch from the Montgomery GI Bill to the Post-9/11 GI Bill