Leaving the military means making big choices about your next career step – and for most veterans, the GI Bill is their most valuable benefit. But with different programs (Montgomery, Post-9/11 and Forever GI Bill), new rules (like the Rudisill decision), and family transfer options, it can get confusing fast.
Top 10 GI Bill Questions
Here are the 10 most important GI Bill questions veterans are asking in 2025 – with clear answers to help you plan.
1. Do I qualify for the GI Bill, and at what percentage?
If you served after September 10, 2001, you likely qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Your benefit percentage (from an initial 90-day period of 50% to 100% at 3 years of service or more) depends on your total active-duty service time.
Here is the breakdown of the benefit tiers based on the amount of time served:
- 30 to 35 months: 90% of the full benefit
- 24 to 29 months: 80% of the full benefit
- 18 to 23 months: 70% of the full benefit
- 6 to 17 months: 60% of the full benefit
- 90 days to 5 months: 50% of the full benefit
National Guard and Reserve members may qualify for a certain percentage of benefits depending on if they had federal activations and the duration of those activations.
2. What if I served before 9/11?
If your service was in the 1990s or early 2000s, you may have enrolled in the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB). That benefit usually expires 10 years after separation – but if you later had Post-9/11 qualifying service, you may be eligible for Chapter 33 instead … or both – more on that below.
3. Can I combine Montgomery and Post-9/11 benefits?
Yes – thanks to the Rudisill Supreme Court decision in 2024, veterans with separate qualifying service periods and eligible for the MGIB can now combine benefits from both MGIB and Post-9/11 GI Bill, for up to a total of 48 months. This is a big change from the old 36-month cap.
4. Will the GI Bill really cover all of my tuition?
For public and in-state schools, the Post-9/11 GI Bill usually covers 100% of tuition and fees. For private, foreign or out-of-state schools, there’s a yearly cap of $29,920.95 for 2025–26 school year). If your costs exceed what the Post 9/11 GI Bill pays, the Yellow Ribbon Program can help — but only if your school participates in the YR Program and you are considered a full-time student. Check here to see if your school has a Yellow Ribbon Agreement with the VA.
5. Do I get a housing allowance?
Yes – most students using the Post-9/11 GI Bill receive a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA); however to qualify, you must be over a half-time student. For example, if your school considers 12 credits per semester to be full-time, you must take at least 7 credits to qualify for the MHA.
- It’s based on the local BAH (E-5 with dependents) of the zip code where your school is located.
- If you study entirely online, the housing stipend is half the national average ($1,169/month instead of the full $2,338.00/month).
6. What about books, fees, and extras?
The GI Bill also provides up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies. You can also get reimbursement for licensing exams, certification tests, and even certain relocation costs if you move from a rural area to attend school. The rules to qualify for the one-time $500 relocation payment are:
* First, you must live in a county with no more than 6 people per square mile, as determined by the most recent U.S. census.
* And one of these statements must be true:
- You need to physically relocate at least 500 miles away from your home to attend school, or
- You need to travel by air to physically attend school because you don’t have the option to travel by car, train, bus, or other ground transportation
7. Does my GI Bill expire?
- Post-9/11 GI Bill: If you separated on or after January 1, 2013, your benefits never expire, due to one of the changes from the Forever GI Bill. If you separated earlier however, you still only have 15 years to use them.
- Montgomery GI Bill- Active Duty: Generally, expires 10 years after separation.
- Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve: No residual benefits after getting out.
8. Can I transfer my GI Bill to my family?
Yes – but only while you’re still on active duty and approved by DoD. Once approved, your spouse or children can use your benefits, including tuition and housing. Many transitioning service members regret not doing this before leaving, so it’s a key decision point. The best way to get the maximum flexibility of your transfer benefits is to give each dependent child and your spouse each at least one month of benefits.
Then after getting out, you can move benefits from one person to another as needed. But if they never had any transfer benefits to begin with, they can’t receive any after you get out.
9. Can I use the GI Bill for something other than college?
Absolutely. GI Bill benefits also cover:
- Apprenticeships and OJT programs
- Flight schools
- Non-degree certificates and licensing
- Some foreign universities
This flexibility makes it valuable for trades, aviation, and non-traditional careers.
10. How do I protect myself from GI Bill scams?
Unfortunately, some for-profit schools still target veterans with misleading promises. In 2023, GI Bill funds were included in the 90-10 rule, which makes it harder for predatory schools to rely solely on veterans. To stay safe, always use the VA’s GI Bill Comparison Tool to see what’s covered before enrolling.
Final Takeaway
The GI Bill is one of the most powerful education benefits in America – but how you use it depends on when you served, where you study, and whether you plan to share it with your family.
If you’re transitioning now, make sure you:
- Confirm your eligibility and service credit
- Decide on transferability before leaving active duty
- Compare schools with the VA tool
- Ask about Yellow Ribbon if your program is expensive
- Revisit your benefits if you had multiple qualifying periods of service (Rudisill ruling).
With the right plan, the GI Bill can launch your next career, whether that’s in college, a trade, or a professional program.
