Earning an education certificate allows you to gain career skills without completing a full degree program Certificate programs take less time to finish than degrees, making them an attractive option If you’re eligible for GI Bill benefits, you may wonder – can I use them to pay for a certificate program?
The short answer is yes, the GI Bill can cover certificate programs in fields like healthcare, IT, business, and more. This guide explains how to leverage your GI Bill for certificate training.
GI Bill Programs That Pay for Certificates
The main GI Bill programs that offer education funding are:
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Post-9/11 GI Bill – Pays tuition & fees, housing, books, and supplies for approved programs.
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Montgomery GI Bill – Provides a monthly stipend for tuition/fees for approved programs
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Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) – Supports certificate programs as part of a rehabilitation plan.
As long as your chosen certificate program is approved for GI Bill benefits, these programs will cover all or most of the costs.
Eligible Certificate Programs
The GI Bill pays for certificate training offered by colleges and other approved education institutions. Common GI Bill-eligible certificates include:
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IT & Computer Certificates – CompTIA. Cisco. Microsoft certs
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Medical & Healthcare Certificates – Medical assistant, nursing assistant, dental assistant, phlebotomy
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Skilled Trades Certificates – Construction, electrical, plumbing, welding
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Business Certificates – Accounting, project management, administrative assistant
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Other Certificates – EMT, education, paralegal, graphic design, etc.
Non-accredited proprietary schools generally don’t qualify for GI Bill coverage. Make sure your program is accredited and approved for VA benefits.
Using the Post-9/11 GI Bill
With the Post-9/11 GI Bill, your benefits are tiered based on your length of service. Here’s a breakdown of Post-9/11 coverage for certificates:
Tuition & Fees
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The GI Bill pays up to the full cost of in-state tuition and fees.
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You may be responsible for paying any tuition/fees beyond the GI Bill coverage limit.
Monthly Housing Allowance
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You receive a monthly housing stipend equal to the military Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-5 with dependents based on the ZIP code of your school.
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This payment is prorated if you attend less than full time.
Annual Book & Supply Stipend
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You get up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies.
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Paid proportionally based on enrollment.
Length of Support
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You can use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for up to 36 months of benefits.
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Certificate programs that are longer than 36 months may require you to pay out-of-pocket once GI Bill coverage ends.
Using Other GI Bill Programs
The Montgomery GI Bill provides a set monthly payment directly to you rather than paying your school.
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Active duty GI Bill monthly rates range from $2,150 – $2,700 depending on service length.
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Reserve GI Bill monthly rates are $397 – $479 based on training time.
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You’re responsible for paying the school directly from the monthly stipend.
VR&E provides customized certificate support based on your rehabilitation plan.
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An assigned Vocational Counselor helps determine the right certificate program for your goals.
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VR&E may cover the full cost including tuition, fees, books, supplies, and housing if needed.
Key Takeaways
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Most accredited certificate programs are eligible for GI Bill benefits.
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Post-9/11 pays tuition/fees, housing, and books while Montgomery GI Bill provides a monthly stipend.
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Make sure to research total program costs and length to know if GI Bill covers 100% of the training.
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Connect with your school’s VA/military office for help applying benefits to certificates.
The bottom line is yes – you can leverage GI Bill programs to cover the costs of earning career training and education certificates. Submit your application and explore how these benefits can help you gain the skills needed to succeed.
Prep courses for licensing and certification tests
You can use your VA education benefits to pay for courses that help you prepare for licensing and certification tests. We approve only prep courses for licensing and certification tests that we’ve already approved. We’ll prorate the entitlement charges based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the prep course.
To use your education benefits to pay for prep courses, you must have already applied and been approved for one of these benefits:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), or
- Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
How many tests can I get paid back for?
We’ll pay for as many licensing and certification tests as you want to take as long as you have remaining entitlement and use your benefits within the time limit.
We’ll pay you back even in these situations:
- You didn’t score high enough to get your license or certification
- You need to take the same test more than once
- You need to retake a test you passed already so you can get recertified or retain a license you already have
Note: We won’t pay for fees or costs related to getting the actual license or certification document.
How Much Money I Made Using The Post 9/11 GI Bill
FAQ
Can the GI Bill be used for certificates?
Does VA Chapter 35 pay for certificate programs?
Will the VA pay for CompTIA certs?
Does VA pay for GI Bill certification?
(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alyssa M. Akers) The Department of Veterans Affairs provides reimbursement for licensing and certification tests that have been specifically approved for VA education benefits, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
How do I use my GI Bill benefits?
Here’s how to use your GI Bill Benefits for license or certification tests. The VA will only reimburse you for approved licensing, certification and testing. Before you commit to a test, check the VA’s GI Bill Comparison Tool to ensure that it is VA approved.
How much does GI Bill Pay?
The amount you get depends on which GI Bill program you use and what school you go to. We pay you at the end of each month for the hours you’ve spent training. Post-9/11 GI Bill: We pay a monthly rate that depends on the type of school you’re enrolled in.
Can I use my GI Bill for a certification test?
You can use your GI Bill benefits for a variety of certification and licensing tests. The VA will pay up to $2,000 per certification test – even if you don’t pass. Your benefits may also reimburse you for national testing fees, such as registration and administrative fees, as well as the costs of the tests.
How do I get a GI Bill reimbursement from the VA?
The VA will only reimburse you for approved licensing, certification and testing. Before you commit to a test, check the VA’s GI Bill Comparison Tool to ensure that it is VA approved. Complete VA Form 22-0803, Application for Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test Fees, and attach proof of payment of the fees.
Does GI Bill pay for college?
For the Post-9/11 GI Bill, we pay: Find out if you can use GI Bill benefits for college as a Veteran, service member, or qualified dependent. Learn about payment rates for undergraduate and graduate degree courses at institutions of higher learning—like a 4-year university, community college, or graduate school.