The Post 9/11 GI Bill, also known as Chapter 33, is the most generous GI Bill to date. Started in 2009, it has undergone a few iterations of changes, with the most recent being the Forever GI Bill. This was not another GI Bill at all, but changes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill. In its present form, it is possible to get a four-year college degree with little to no out-of-pocket costs.
Post 9/11 GI Bill
The Post 9/11 GI Bill is different from previous GI Bills not only in its pay structure, but also the number of training opportunities available.
1. Training
Speaking of training, the types of training it currently covers include:
- Two and four-year public colleges and universities.
- Private and foreign colleges and universities
- Non-degree programs taught at technical and vocational schools
- Non-degree certificate or rating flight training programs
- Correspondence courses.
2. Eligibility
To qualify for up to 36 months of training under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, a servicemember must first have:
- served for at least 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001, or
- awarded a Purple Heart, or
- served at least 30 continuous days on active duty after September 10, 2001 and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability.
Some Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits expire … depending on the servicemember’s discharge date. If before January 1, 2013, the benefits expire 15 years from date of discharge; if on or after January 1, 2013, the benefits do not expire as per change in the Forever GI Bill.
3. Tuition Rates
The tuition and fees paid by the Post 9/11 GI Bill goes directly to the school on the student’s behalf is directly proportional to the amount of time served in uniform – known as the eligibility tier. Eligibility starts at 50% with a minimum of 90 days of service and tops out at 100% with 36 months of service. In between, the eligibility tier goes up 10% with each increase in the length of service span:
- 6 to 17 months – 60%
- 18 to 23 months – 70%
- 24 to 29 months – 80%
- 30 to 35 months – 90%
Also, how much the Post 9/11 GI Bill pays depends on the type of training.
- Public institutions of higher learning – the in-state rate, which is the amount a student with residency in the same state as the school pays.
- Private institution of higher learning – up to $27,120.05 per year.
- Foreign institution of higher learning – at the same rate as private schools
- Non-college degree programs – at the same rate as private schools.
- Non-degree certificate or rating flight training program – up to $15,497.15 per year.
- Correspondence courses – up to $13,172.57 per year.
4. Monthly Housing Allowance
In addition to paying tuition and fees to the school, the Post 9/11 GI Bill also pays the student directly at the end of each month a monthly housing allowance (MHA). The amount paid varies as it is based on the zip code of the school paid at the E5 with dependents rate and the number of credits taken (both multiplied by the eligibility tier). A student must be considered a greater than half-time student to qualify for any MHA. For example, if a school considers 12 credits as full-time status, then a student must take at least 7 credits to receive MHA payments. Also note the following exceptions or differences in MHA payments:
- Flight training certificate/rating and correspondence course students are not eligible for the MHA.
- Online-only students receive only half of the national MHA average per month – the current amount calculates at $1,054.50 per month.
- Students attending a foreign institution of higher learning get the national average per month in MHA which currently is $2,109.00 per month.
5. Book Stipend
In addition to the MHA, the student also receives up to $1,000 per year to help offset book and supplies costs. The exact amount received depends on the number of credits taken ,calculated at $41.67 per credit, and multiplied by the eligibility tier.
6. Rural Relocation Payment
Certain students from rural areas that meet the description below may qualify for a one-time relocation payment of $500. The student must live in a county with no more than six people per square mile as noted by the most recent census and:
- The school location must be at least 500 miles from the student’s home or,
- Transportation to your school must be by air or boat because the option to travel overland by car, train, bus or other ground transportation is not available.
7. Yellow Ribbon Program
For students whose tuition exceeds the amount allowed by the VA, they may qualify for additional funding through the Yellow Ribbon Program. However, not all schools are in the Yellow Ribbon Program and the amount they cover varies according to the stipulation in their YR agreement with the VA.
8. Tutorial Assistance
Students struggling with coursework may qualify for an additional $100 per month for tutoring.
9. VA Work Study
Students may qualify for additional money through the VA Work Study program working either at their school or in one of the VA’s facilities.
To find out if you are eligible for education benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill or to find out how many benefits you have left, contact the VA for a Certificate of Eligibility.
