Post-9/11 GI Bill Expands Veterans Education

Military Veterans Receive Expanded Educational Benefits

Aug 3, 2009 Ronald G Falconberry

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has improved the educational benefits available to veterans by expanding allowances for tuition, fees, housing and supplies.

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 greatly expands the GI Bill benefits that veterans receive if they choose to pursue undergraduate, graduate, vocational or technical education. The Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as Chapter 33 benefits, provides financial support for tuition, housing, books and supplies to active duty or discharged veterans who meet eligibility requirements.

An introductory letter sent from Keith M. Wilson, Director of the Veterans Affairs Education Service, states that the "Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most comprehensive education benefit package since the original GI Bill was signed in 1944." The program, administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, became effective on August 1, 2009.

Who Qualifies for Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits?

Veterans who have served at least 90 days of aggregate service since September 11, 2001, are eligible for benefits under the new GI bill. Military personnel who have been honorably discharged due to a service-related disability and have served at least 30 continuous days since September 11, 2001, are also eligible.

Veterans remain eligible for benefits for 15 years from their last period of active duty where at least 90 consecutive days of duty were served. Military personnel who received honorable discharges for service-related injuries after serving 30 continuous days also remain eligible for 15 years.

Benefits Available Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill

The actual amount of benefits available under the Post-9/11 GI Bill depend on the veteran's length of service. The maximum basic benefit provides:

The cost of tuition and fees. The costs may not exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher learning of the state in which the veteran will be attending school.
A monthly housing allowance. The amount is equivalent to the basic allowance that an E-5 with dependents would receive in the same zip code as the school.
A yearly stipend for books and supplies up to $1,000 per year.
A one-time payment of $500 is available for some veterans who are relocating from highly rural areas.

The Department of Veterans Affairs notes that the housing allowance and the books and supplies stipend are not payable for military personnel who are on active duty. In addition, they are not payable to veterans who are pursuing education at less than half-time or those enrolled in distance learning.

Generally, veterans will receive 36 months of benefits. Based on a nine-month academic year, this would allow veterans to receive benefits for a four-year undergraduate degree. Military personnel who still have benefits available may take additional approved training as long as their benefits remain. However, veterans are limited to 48 months of total benefits if they are eligible for more than one Department of Veterans Affairs education program.

Levels of Benefits for the Post-9/11 GI Bill

The degree of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits received are broken down along the following active service lengths from September 11, 2001 and beyond:

40% of benefits for service of at least 90 days but less than six months.
50% of benefits for service of at least six months but less than 12 months.
60% of benefits for service of at least 12 months but less than 18 months.
70% of benefits for service of at least 18 months but less than 24 months.
80% of benefits for service of at least 24 months but less then 30 months.
90% of benefits for service of at least 30 months but less than 36 months.
100% of benefits for service of at least 36 months or at least 30 continuous days of service if honorably discharged due to a service-related disability.

How Post-9/11 GI Bill Affects Other GI Bill Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers other education programs such as the Montgomery GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve and the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP). Veterans who are eligible for one of these programs and also qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, as of August 1, 2009, may choose to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 plan but, once they receive benefits, they may not receive benefits under the other plans.

Where to Find More Information on Post-9/11 GI Bill

More detailed information is available at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs official Post-9/11 GI Bill web site. The web site contains information and links to other pages which will help veterans better understand the Post-9/11 GI Bill, compare its benefits to the other available education programs and access a form to apply for the bill's benefits.

For veterans who choose to attend schools whose tuition and fees exceed the highest in-state school's costs, the Post-9/11 GI Bill also has a Yellow Ribbon Program provision which helps to pay for the higher costs. The article, Yellow Ribbon Program Aids Veterans Education provides an overview of that provision.

The copyright of the article Post-9/11 GI Bill Expands Veterans Education in Campus Life is owned by Ronald G Falconberry. Permission to republish Post-9/11 GI Bill Expands Veterans Education in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Expands Veterans Education