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From GI Bill to Post-9/11: 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 GI Bill users 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. Eligible service members from all branches of the armed forces may qualify based on their active service.

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. Qualifying periods of active service are used to determine eligibility for each program.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides a range of educational benefits, including tuition coverage, housing allowances, and options to transfer benefits to family members. These educational benefits have helped qualifying veterans pursue higher education and career advancement.

Introduction to Active Duty Benefits

The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers valuable education benefits to service members who have served on active duty after September 10, 2001. If you’re a service member with at least 90 days of active duty service after this date—or if you were discharged due to a service-connected disability after 30 days—you may be eligible for up to 36 months of GI Bill benefits. These benefits can be used to pay for tuition and fees, books, and other education-related expenses.

A major advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the monthly housing allowance, which helps cover living costs while you attend school. This housing allowance is based on the location of your educational institution and is designed to support you as you pursue your academic goals. However, it’s important to note that service members currently on active duty are not eligible to receive the housing allowance until after they separate from service.

Whether you’re planning to attend a traditional college, enroll in a technical program, or participate in other approved training, the 9/11 GI Bill provides flexible options to help you succeed. These benefits are designed to recognize your active duty service and support your transition to civilian life or advancement within the military.

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

Only approved programs at institutions of higher learning or recognized training providers are eligible for GI Bill benefits. The amount of benefits you receive may also depend on your training time, such as whether you are enrolled full-time or part-time.

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

• Up to 100% Tuition and Fee Coverage: The GI Bill may pay full tuition for eligible students at a public school, up to the amount of resident tuition.
• Monthly Housing Allowance (see GI Bill BAH Rates)
• A stipend for Books and Supplies: This is an annual book stipend provided at the start of each term.
• Ability to Transfer GI Bill to spouse and dependents
• If you go to a state school, the GI Bill covers tuition & fees for approved classes, with tuition payments made directly to the institution and covering resident tuition costs.
• 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. Students who meet the criteria for 36 months of active duty service may qualify for the maximum benefit under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

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

Eligible students can receive benefits for tuition costs, housing, and the annual book stipend, depending on their enrollment and service history.

>> Use CollegeRecon’s Program Matcher to find schools eligible to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill funding.  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.  Only approved programs qualify for GI Bill funding, so be sure to check that your chosen program is recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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. The amount of benefits you receive may depend on your training time or the number of hours you work in the apprenticeship.

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. However, only approved programs are eligible for GI Bill reimbursement.

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 makes tuition payments directly to the school, which may cover the full tuition costs for eligible students. You also receive a monthly housing allowance and a stipend for books and supplies.

For a degree program that consists of flight training at a private college, you may be reimbursed up to the full tuition costs 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 tuition costs 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, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Members of the Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Army National Guard, Air National Guard, and other selected reserve components of the armed forces may also qualify for Tuition Assistance and related benefits. Reservists may also be eligible for the Reserve Educational Assistance Program, which can supplement their education funding.

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

Education Benefit and Career Goals

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is more than just a tuition payment—it’s a comprehensive education benefit designed to help service members reach their academic and career goals. Whether you want to earn a degree from a public or private institution, participate in on-the-job training, or complete an apprenticeship, the GI Bill can help cover your costs. This flexibility allows you to tailor your education path to fit your ambitions, whether you’re aiming for a new career or advancing in your current field.

Thanks to the Forever GI Bill, also known as the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, even more service members now qualify for these education benefits. The Forever GI Bill expanded eligibility and removed the time limit for using your benefits, giving you greater freedom to plan your education around your life and career. Additionally, if you’re eligible for both the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill, you may have access to even more resources to support your journey.

From traditional college degrees to hands-on training programs, the GI Bill is designed to help you build the skills and credentials you need for long-term success. Take advantage of these benefits to invest in your future and achieve your professional goals.

Tracking Your Benefits

Staying on top of your GI Bill benefits is essential to making the most of your education opportunities. To get started, you’ll need to complete VA Form 22-1990 to apply for your education benefits. Once you’ve applied, you can easily track your remaining entitlement—how much of your benefits you have left—by logging into your VA account online or contacting the Department of Veterans Affairs directly.

The GI Bill Comparison Tool is a valuable resource for service members. It allows you to compare different GI Bill programs, estimate your monthly housing allowance, and see which schools and training programs are approved for VA education benefits. This tool can help you make informed decisions about where to use your benefits and how to maximize your support.

By regularly checking your benefit status and understanding your options, you can ensure you’re making the most of your GI Bill programs. The VA also offers guidance and support to help you navigate the process, so you can focus on achieving your educational and career goals with confidence.

 

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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, but only for approved programs at institutions of higher learning, including colleges, universities, and vocational schools. This includes 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 pay full tuition at a public school for eligible students, up to the amount of resident tuition. Tuition payments are made directly to the school and cover tuition costs for approved programs. In addition, students receive an annual book stipend to help cover the cost of books and supplies. The GI Bill also provides a monthly housing allowance and 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. To be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, students must meet the following criteria: qualify for the maximum benefit rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, be enrolled in a participating institution, and not be on active duty or a spouse of an active duty member. Meeting these requirements can significantly reduce eligible veterans’ out-of-pocket expenses at participating private colleges.

 

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• Forever GI Bill
• Transferring Your GI Bill to Spouse and Dependents
• Biggest Mistake GI Bill Users Make
• GI Bill Payment Dates and Rates
• Colleges with the Highest BAH Rates