Guide to GI Bill Benefits
America’s soldiers have been going to college on the GI Bill since 1944. Active-duty students have experienced several versions of the bill after World War II, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, and the Forever GI Bill. The U.S. government has also helped fund higher education for veterans, military spouses, and some dependents.
The Forever GI Bill’s benefits right now are the most generous in the history of the GI Bill. With no expiration date and benefits that pay tuition, a book stipend, and a monthly housing allowance, you would think it is enough to pay for a four-year college degree. And many times, it is.
But in other cases, it does not cover all the costs of going to college today. In this guide, we look at ways to get the most from your GI Bill with as few out-of-pocket expenses as possible.
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What the GI Bill Covers
The GI Bill helps cover college tuition or job training along with your living expenses while in school. It can also help pay for graduate school or subject-specific tutoring during college.
Tuition & Fees
The GI Bill helps pay tuition and fees at public, private, or foreign universities. If you qualify for the program’s maximum assistance, you will receive the equivalent of full tuition at a public, in-state college or university. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) limits how much tuition it will pay for private and foreign schools.
Housing Allowance (BAH)
If you are enrolled in college more than half time, the GI Bill will help cover your housing costs. If you do not live on base, the VA calculates your Basic Annual Housing (BAH) allowance based on the cost of living in the area where your school is located.
Book and Supply Stipends
The GI Bill gives as much as $1,000 for books and supplies per academic year. If you enroll in a four-year institution, you receive $41.67 per credit for up to 24 credits, and if you are studying in a noncollegiate educational program, you can receive up to $83 per month.
Vocational Training Coverage
You can pay for nondegree vocational training programs using your GI Bill, but the VA determines your benefits using a calculator different from the one used for college students. Your benefits depend on how long you’ve served, where you’re studying, and how many hours you are in training each week.
GI Bill Eligibility Requirements
- Post-9/11 GI Bill: To qualify, you must have served at least 90 days on active duty after September 11, 2001. Alternatively, you can have served 30 days and be honorably discharged with a service-connected disability or have received a Purple Heart.
- Montgomery GI Bill: You may qualify if you received an honorable discharge after serving at least two years on active duty. Other qualifications apply.
- Rudisill Decision: You may now qualify for 48 months of entitlement and be eligible for benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill if you have two or more qualifying periods of active-duty service.
- Eligibility Calculator: Use the VA’s eligibility tool to find out what financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
How to Apply for GI Bill Benefits
So, you’ve checked your eligibility and are ready to apply for the GI Bill? Follow our step-by-step guide to securing your GI Bill benefits and paying for college, graduate school, or technical training.
Step 1: Apply for College Admissions
Submit your application to the college of your choice. You may also need to send an application fee, but some schools waive fees for military-affiliated students. Once your admissions counselor sees that you’re active-duty military, they should put you in touch with a military student specialist. If the school does not have a designated person who works with veterans and military service members, seriously reconsider your school choice.
Step 2: Complete Your Application to the VA
Go to the VA’s website and apply for aid using Form 22-1990, the Application for VA Education Benefits. To complete your application, you’ll need documentation on your military service history, your current address, and contact information. Go ahead and have that ready before you open up the application portal.
Step 3: Submit the Certificate of Eligibility
Once your application is approved, the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE). It may arrive quickly or take several weeks after you send your application. Give the certificate to your university’s veterans office. Some schools will accept copies of your DD-214 and VA 22-1990 form to expedite things while you wait for your CoE.
Step 4: Register for Classes
With your CoE on file, you can register for classes. Many military-friendly schools open up early registration just for veterans and active-duty students, allowing you to get the classes you want and speed up the financial aid process. Your school will send your class schedule to the VA, which will release the funds to pay your tuition.
Timeline Expectations
You should hear back from the VA within 30 days of applying for your GI Bill benefits. However, it may take several weeks after registration before your school receives your tuition dollars from the government.
Maximizing Your GI Bill Benefits
Your GI Bill offers a lot of money for college, but its benefits aren’t unlimited. You need to steward your resources as wisely as possible so you don’t have to pay many costs out of pocket. Use the VA’s online tool to compare how far your GI Bill benefits will go at different colleges.
Combine Your GI Bill With Other Federal Financial Aid
You may qualify for Pell Grants, scholarships, or other funds besides your GI Bill benefits. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out what other financial aid you can get. The FAFSA is all the U.S. government needs to determine if you can receive need-based aid, and many private scholarship funders also look at your FAFSA when making award decisions.Apply for Military-Specific Scholarships
Private organizations offer scholarships for veterans and dependents. These scholarships are competitive, so send in your application early. Winning a scholarship will not affect your GI Bill benefits, military tuition reductions, or Pell Grant eligibility. Scholarships are good for your financial health, so research them, apply for them, and use them whenever possible.Attend a Military-Friendly College or University
The best military-friendly colleges employ experienced staff members and establish organized processes to help you get the most out of your military benefits. Many also offer credit for military experience, social support for veterans and service members, and even tuition discounts for military-affiliated students.
Avoiding GI Bill Benefit Exhaustion
Your GI Bill benefits generally last just 48 months. After that, you can apply for an extension, but nothing is guaranteed. Plan your credit loads carefully to avoid running out of benefits before completing your degree.
Mistakes to Avoid When Using the GI Bill
The GI Bill offers an incredible opportunity to secure a college education for nothing — or almost nothing — spent out of pocket. Make sure you avoid common mistakes that can waste the benefits you earned.
- Choosing an Unaccredited College: While the VA will approve some nonaccredited institutions, it’s never wise to pick a college that doesn’t hold accreditation. Accreditation gives a college credibility and opens up opportunities for you to receive professional licensure or pursue a master’s degree after graduation.
- Enrolling in a For-Profit School: For-profit institutions face scrutiny because of their high-pressure recruitment tactics, low graduation rates, and pricey tuition and fees. These schools often sell their accelerated degree formats, but many credible nonprofit universities offer the same degrees that can be earned in the same time but with lower costs and much more support.
- Using the Post-9/11 GI Bill While on Active Duty: If you use the Post-9/11 GI Bill while on active duty, you will not receive a housing allowance, which means you could be leaving thousands of dollars a month on the table. Use the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty funds first, then switch to your Post-9/11 GI Bill funds.
- Not Understanding Your Benefits’ Limits: The military offers you a lot of money for education, but it may not be as much as you think. Do research online, schedule an appointment with your education service officer, and talk to the military student specialist at your university about your benefits’ restrictions.
- Picking a School or Major Without a Plan: Don’t use your GI Bill just to get the stipend. You will burn through the money in four years and have nothing to show for it when you’re done. Instead, select a career-focused major at a school you can be proud of, stick with your plan, and earn a degree for life.
Frequently Asked Questions About GI Bill Benefits
A “kicker bonus” is an incentive to reenlist in the military, and yes, you can still use the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits if you receive this bonus. In fact, the kicker can boost your GI Bill housing allowance rates.
Affordablecollegesonline.org provides information about the GI Bill, including eligibility, benefits, and how to apply, but it’s important to note that we are not an official government agency, and the content we share is for informational purposes only and not legal advice.
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