The GI Bill is one of the most valuable benefits available to veterans pursuing higher education. But many wonder – does the GI Bill pay for graduate school? The short answer is yes absolutely!
The GI Bill provides financial assistance to help veterans and their dependents cover the costs of undergraduate and graduate degrees. This includes tuition, housing, books and more.
In this comprehensive guide. we’ll cover everything you need to know about using the GI Bill for graduate school including
- Types of GI Bill programs that pay for grad school
- Graduate school payment rates
- Differences between grad and undergrad GI Bill benefits
- Eligibility requirements
- How to apply
- Tips for maximizing your benefits
GI Bill Programs That Cover Graduate School
There are a few different GI Bill programs that provide education benefits for graduate school:
Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most widely used education benefit for veterans pursuing grad school. It covers the following for graduate programs:
- Full in-state tuition and fees at public schools, up to $27,126/year at private schools
- Monthly housing allowance
- Up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies
Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
The MGIB-AD is an older GI Bill program that also provides benefits for graduate school, including:
- Up to $2,264/month for full-time students
- Up to $1,132/month for part-time students
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
For members of the Selected Reserve and National Guard, the MGIB-SR offers up to $396/month for full-time graduate study.
Graduate School GI Bill Payment Rates
Payment rates for graduate school depend on a few factors:
Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Tuition & fees: Paid in full at public schools, up to $27,126/year at private schools
- Housing allowance: Based on school’s location, averages $2,100/month
- Book stipend: Up to $1,000 per year
MGIB Programs
- Full-time: $2,264/month with MGIB-AD, $396/month with MGIB-SR
- Part-time: $1,132/month with MGIB-AD
Academic Progress
- Full-time: Usually 9+ credits per term
- Part-time: Usually 4.5-8 credits per term
- Training time: Set by graduate school for MGIB programs
How Grad School GI Bill Benefits Differ from Undergrad
There are a few key differences in how the GI Bill covers graduate vs. undergraduate study:
- Training time: For undergrad, credit hours determine full/part-time status. Graduate schools set training time.
- Housing allowance: Only paid to full-time undergrad students. All graduate students qualify.
- Tuition caps: Undergrad tuition capped at $26,381/year. Higher cap of $27,126 for graduate programs.
- Yellow Ribbon: Grad students qualify for increased Yellow Ribbon funding.
So in many ways, GI Bill benefits are enhanced for graduate school compared to undergraduate study.
GI Bill Eligibility Requirements for Grad School
To qualify for GI Bill graduate school benefits, you must meet basic eligibility criteria:
- Served at least 90 days on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001 to qualify for Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Served 2+ years on active duty to qualify for MGIB-AD
- Currently serving in Selected Reserve to qualify for MGIB-SR
- Honorable discharge
You may also qualify if you’re a dependent using transferred benefits.
How to Apply for GI Bill Benefits for Graduate School
Follow these steps to secure your GI Bill benefits for grad school:
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Apply for your COE: Get a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA to confirm your benefits.
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Complete the FAFSA: Apply for federal student aid to maximize funding.
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Get accepted to a program: Apply and gain admission to a graduate program at an approved school.
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Submit school paperwork: Work with your school’s VA certifying official to submit enrollment paperwork.
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Apply for Yellow Ribbon (if applicable): Research participation and apply if your school offers the Yellow Ribbon Program.
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Verify your enrollment: Check in with your school’s VA office each term to ensure your enrollment is verified.
Tips for Making the Most of GI Bill Grad School Benefits
Follow these tips to maximize your GI Bill benefits for graduate school:
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Research schools thoroughly: Compare costs, GI Bill policies, and Yellow Ribbon participation.
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Apply early: Give yourself plenty of time to apply for financial aid, GI Bill benefits, and Yellow Ribbon funds.
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Take a full course load: Take at least 9 graduate credits per term to receive full BAH housing allowance.
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Minimize costs: Opt for an accelerated online program or attend a public university with lower tuition.
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Use tuition assistance: Tap into TA from your military branch to cover some tuition expenses.
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Layer financial aid: Combine the GI Bill with grants, scholarships, and federal student loans to cover any gaps.
The Bottom Line
The GI Bill offers tremendously valuable benefits to help veterans and dependents afford graduate school, including full tuition coverage, generous monthly stipends, and book stipends.
With proper planning and research, you can maximize your benefits to earn an advanced degree with little to no out-of-pocket costs. If graduate school is your goal after the military, rest assured the GI Bill has you covered.
Graduate Benefits Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill can pay your full resident tuition at a public school. If you attend a private or foreign school, it will pay up to to $27,120.05. This amount increases to $28,937.09 on Aug. 1, 2024. Many schools participate in the Yellow Ribbon program, which can waive a portion of the difference in the tuition you are charged and the amount covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Be sure to ask your school if it plans to participate in the program.
The amount of tuition and fees covered by the GI Bill is determined by your Post-9/11-GI Bill entitlement percentage, which is based on the number of months you have served on active duty since Sept.11, 2001. For example, if you have served 24 months on active duty sine Sept. 11, 2001, your GI Bill percentage is 80%. If you attend a public school as an in-state resident and the tuition is $10,000 a semester, you would have 80% of your tuition and fees, or $8,000, paid by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Active-duty time can also include Title 10 mobilizations for reserve and National Guard members.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill also pays a monthly housing allowance based on the ZIP code of the location of the school you attend — not your home ZIP code. This stipend currently averages $2,109 a month ($2,355.00 in 2024-2025) but can exceed $3,000 depending on where you go to school. Students taking 100% of their courses online are eligible for a monthly stipend equal to half of the national average stipend. Half is currently $967.40. It goes up to $1,177.50 in 2024-2025.
Housing allowance payments are based on the amount of creditable active-duty service after Sept. 10, 2001.
For example, if youve served 24 months on active duty since Sep. 10, 2001, your GI Bill benefit tier percentage is 80%. If you attend a school with a monthly housing allowance of $1,000 a month, you receive 80% of your housing allowance, or $800/month.
This stipend is based on the DoDs Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. This stipend does not require students to live on campus.
NOTE: Service members currently on active duty, their spouses using transferred benefits and those taking courses on a half-time basis or less do not qualify for the monthly housing allowance.
Book and Supply Stipend
You may receive an annual book stipend of up to $1,000 a year with the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This stipend will be paid at the beginning of each term. It is paid proportionately based on the number of credits taken by each student.
Tips From a Veteran for Pursuing a Graduate Degree After the Military
FAQ
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