The GI Bill provides educational assistance to veterans, covering some or all costs of higher education. However, the benefits have limits and do not fully pay for every veteran’s entire college education.
This article explains what expenses the GI Bill covers, benefit amounts, and how to maximize your coverage to reduce college costs.
GI Bill Benefits Overview
The GI Bill is comprised of several programs providing funds for education and training. The main options are:
- Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
- Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
Of these, the Post-9/11 GI Bill offers the most generous benefits, covering tuition, housing, books, and other costs.
What Expenses Does the GI Bill Cover?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of benefits to cover
- Tuition and fees
- Monthly housing allowance
- Annual books and supplies stipend
- One-time rural benefit payment
Other GI Bill programs cover partial tuition with options to buy up additional coverage.
Does the GI Bill Pay for All College Costs?
The quick answer is no – the GI Bill does not fully pay for total college costs at all schools.
Benefits have annual and aggregate limits on what’s covered. The actual amount paid depends on your GI Bill eligibility percentage, years of service, and the type of school.
While the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most comprehensive, it will not cover unlimited tuition and expenses.
GI Bill Benefit Amounts and Limits
Here are some key benefit amounts to understand what expenses the GI Bill covers:
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Tuition & Fees: Up to $26,381.11 per year at private schools; full in-state tuition at public schools
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Housing Allowance: Up to $3,107.50 per month depending on location
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Books & Supplies Stipend: $1,000 per year
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Tuition Cap: $26,381.11 per year; some exceptions for expensive programs
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Aggregate Cap: $113,289 lifetime limit on tuition benefits
These amounts apply to 2023. Benefits are adjusted annually based on the education cost index.
As you can see, the GI Bill does not provide unlimited funding. Veterans must pay education costs exceeding the annual tuition cap and lifetime limit.
Percentage of Maximum Coverage
Not every veteran receives 100% of the maximum GI Bill benefits. Your percentage depends on length of service:
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100% – At least 36 months of active duty service post 9/11
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90% – At least 30 continuous days active duty service + discharged for service-connected disability
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80% – At least 24 months of active duty service
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70% – At least 18 months of active duty service
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60% – At least 12 months of active duty service
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50% – At least 6 months of active duty service
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40% – At least 90 days of active duty service
Your percentage determines how much of the maximums the GI Bill will cover. For example, if you qualify for 80%, you’d receive up to 80% of the tuition cap.
Additional Sources Needed to Cover Total Costs
While invaluable for reducing education costs, the GI Bill does not fully pay for 4 years of college at most schools.
You will likely need to pay some expenses out-of-pocket or use loans, grants, scholarships and personal savings.
Here are some examples of additional costs beyond GI Bill coverage:
- Tuition & fees above the annual cap or aggregate limit
- Room and board expenses
- Meal plans
- Transportation
- Supplies, electronics, books beyond stipend
- Lab fees or equipment costs
- Study abroad program fees
- Graduate school costs after exhausting benefits
To cover total costs, have a plan to pay expenses exceeding your GI Bill benefits. Research scholarships, apply for federal student aid, use tuition assistance programs, and budget your personal funds.
Tips to Stretch GI Bill Benefits
Follow these tips to reduce out-of-pocket costs and maximize your GI Bill coverage:
- Attend an in-state public university to limit tuition & fees.
- Choose a Yellow Ribbon school that provides additional scholarships to cover costs beyond GI Bill limits.
- Complete degrees quickly to avoid exhausting benefits.
- Apply for grants, scholarships, and work-study.
- Use tuition assistance from employers or the military to supplement.
- Take CLEP/DSST tests to earn free credits and graduate faster.
- Start at community college for two years then transfer to maximize benefits.
The GI Bill Provides Significant Assistance
While the GI Bill does not fully pay for unlimited college costs, it provides tremendous benefits to help veterans and families pursue higher education.
Determine your GI Bill eligibility percentage, understand the coverage limits, choose affordable schools, and supplement with other funding to cover additional expenses.
Thoughtful planning allows you to maximize GI Bill benefits and minimize out-of-pocket education costs.
What does the GI Bill not cover?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill may not cover all of your higher education expenses. Some examples of what it won’t cover are:
- The full cost of private or foreign school: Tuition assistance is capped at a national maximum of $28,937 per academic year at private and foreign institutions. The VA updates the limit each year.
- In some cases, the full cost of an education: If you served less than 36 months, you’ll receive a percentage of the maximum benefit. For example, if you served between 90 and 180 days, you’ll qualify for 50 percent of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
- Additional education: The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers up to 36 months of college or career training. If you need more time because you transferred schools, switched degree programs or took on an advanced degree, then you’ll have to cover the costs.
- College closing: Your benefits won’t reset if your school closes or the VA no longer approves the school.
How much tuition does the GI Bill cover?
The exact amount you receive through the GI Bill depends on whether you attend a public or private school, how long you served and the number of credits or training hours you’re taking.
If you qualify for the GI Bill and attend a public university or college, your tuition and fees will be covered. If you attend a private or foreign institution or enroll in a non-college degree program, you can receive up to $28,937 in tuition and fees.
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you are eligible for 100 percent of the benefit if you meet one of the following requirements:
- You served on active duty for at least 36 months. However, you may still receive a percentage of the full benefits if you served less than 36 months.
- You received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001.
- You served on active duty for at least 30 consecutive days and were discharged due to a service-connected disability.
How Much Money I Made Using The Post 9/11 GI Bill
FAQ
Does GI Bill cover 100% tuition?
Does the GI Bill cover 4 years of college?
What does the GI Bill not cover?
Does GI Bill cover all schools?
Does the GI Bill pay for college?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays for many of the costs of attending college, including: tuition and fees. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will pay the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at a public college, but it caps the benefit if you attend a private institution.
Does the GI Bill cover Graduate School?
The GI Bill includes additional programs available to Soldiers during and after service. If you’re currently serving or a veteran, get help paying for additional costs to attend a private or graduate school not covered by your Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Where can I use my GI Bill benefits?
You can use your GI Bill benefits at some—but not all—schools. Use the resources listed here to search for GI Bill approved schools, compare the benefits you’ll receive at different schools, and get more advice to help you choose a school. Find out which schools we’ve approved. Check what benefits you’ll get at different schools.
What are GI Bill benefits?
GI Bill benefits help you pay for school and cover expenses while you’re training for a job. Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying Veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training. Learn more about GI Bill benefits on this page—and how to apply for them.
How much does GI Bill tuition cost?
If you’re entitled to 70% of your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, we’ll cover $15,400 of your tuition and fees. You would be responsible for the remaining $6,600 (22,000 x .70 = 15,400). If you want to attend an out-of-state public school that offers VA-approved programs, under the Veterans Choice Act, the school must offer you the in-state rate.
What if the GI Bill doesn’t cover my school?
If the GI Bill doesn’t cover the full cost of your education, see if your school participates in the Yellow Ribbon program. This is an agreement schools make with the VA to split school costs not covered by the GI Bill, reducing or eliminating the amount students must pay themselves.