The GI Bill is one of the most generous education benefits programs in the country. If you or your spouse served on active duty the GI Bill can provide substantial financial support while attending college or vocational training. But exactly how much does the GI Bill pay for school? Let’s take a closer look.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most widely used education program for Veterans and families, This GI Bill option provides comprehensive tuition coverage along with housing and book stipends,
Here’s an overview of what the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers
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Full tuition & fees – For public schools, the GI Bill covers 100% of in-state tuition and fees. At private or foreign schools, up to $28,937 per year is covered.
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Monthly housing allowance – You may receive a monthly stipend equal to the military’s Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) based on where you attend school. For online programs, a national housing rate of $1,177 per month is paid.
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Annual book stipend – Up to $1,000 per year is paid out to help cover books and supplies.
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Rural benefit – There is a one-time $500 rural relocation benefit.
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Yellow Ribbon – Additional funding above the tuition cap is available through the Yellow Ribbon Program at participating schools.
How Much of the Benefit Can You Receive?
The full benefits described above are for Veterans or dependents eligible at the 100% level. Your actual benefit percentage depends on your length of active duty service:
- 36 months of active duty = 100% benefit
- At least 30 continuous days = 100% benefit
- 30-35 months = 90% benefit
- 24-29 months = 80% benefit
- 18-23 months = 70% benefit
- 6-17 months = 60% benefit
- 90 days to 5 months = 50% benefit
To calculate your coverage, take the rates for each benefit and multiply by your eligibility percentage.
For example, if you qualify at the 80% level, you’d receive up to 80% of tuition costs, 80% of the housing allowance, and $800 per year for books.
Tuition Coverage Examples
Let’s look at a few examples to understand how much tuition is covered at different types of schools:
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At a public in-state college with $8,500 annual tuition, the Post-9/11 GI Bill would cover the full $8,500 with 100% eligibility.
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At an expensive private college with $40,000 tuition, the GI Bill would cover the annual maximum of $28,937 with 100% eligibility.
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At an out-of-state public school with $15,000 tuition for non-residents, the GI Bill would cover up to the in-state rate, likely around $8,500. You’d be responsible for the $6,500 difference.
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At a foreign school overseas with $5,000 tuition, the GI Bill would cover the full $5,000 amount since it’s under the max.
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At a flight school with $20,000 tuition, only $16,535 would be covered since flight programs have a lower annual cap.
Additional Benefits
Beyond tuition assistance, the GI Bill provides funding for other education-related costs:
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Licensing and certification tests – Up to $2,000 is covered for test fees.
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National tests – Fees are covered for tests like the SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.
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Tutoring assistance – Up to $100 per month (max $1,200) is paid for tutoring.
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Work-study program – Receive hourly wages for VA-related work at your school.
Transferring Benefits
Service members enrolled in the Post-9/11 GI Bill have the option to transfer benefits to a spouse or dependent children. The recipient gets the same coverage as the service member up to the 100% level.
Montgomery GI Bill Benefits
The Montgomery GI Bill is another education program with tiered coverage based on length of service. Benefits include:
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Tuition assistance – Up to $2,485 per month directly paid to the school.
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12 month extension – An extra 12 months of benefits for high-tuition programs.
While less generous than the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill continues to provide thousands of Veterans with education support.
Take Advantage of Your Benefits
The GI Bill opens up incredible education and career opportunities with financial support for tuition, housing, books, tests, and more. Before enrolling, be sure to apply with the VA and research approved programs. With hard work and GI Bill support, you can achieve your academic dreams.
How long does the GI Bill last?
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, if you served at least 36 months of active duty, then you’re eligible for coverage of up to 36 months of college or career training. The 36 months of classes or training won’t have to be consecutive — but if your service ended before Jan. 1, 2013, you’ll need to redeem all of your benefits within 15 years after separation. There’s no deadline if your service ended on or after Jan. 1, 2013.
What does the GI Bill cover?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays for many of the costs of attending school, 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.
- Money for housing: Students enrolled in school more than half time receive a housing allowance at the end of each month. The amount is based on the cost of living where the school is located.
- Books and supplies: GI Bill recipients also get up to $1,000 at the beginning of each school term to pay for textbooks and supplies.
- Moving expenses: Students who need to move from a rural area to attend college may qualify for a one-time payment of $500 to cover moving expenses.
How Much Money I Made Using The Post 9/11 GI Bill
FAQ
How much money does the GI Bill give for college?
What is the maximum GI Bill benefit?
How much does the GI Bill pay monthly?
Does VA chapter 35 pay full tuition?
How much does the GI Bill pay for school?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill can pay your full resident tuition at a public college or university. If you attend a private or foreign school, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay up to $28,937.09 for the 2024-2025 academic year. An academic year is from Aug. 1 to July 31. What if My School Costs More?
Will my GI Bill benefits cover my tuition & fees?
Your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will cover you at the percentage you’re eligible for. Example: If the in-state tuition at your public school is $22,000, the amount we’ll cover depends on the percentage you’re entitled to. If you’re entitled to 100% of your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, we’ll cover the full cost of tuition and fees: $22,000.
Does GI Bill cover out-of-State School?
If you want to attend an out-of-state public school that doesn’t offer in-state rates to Veterans, the school will charge the out-of-state tuition rate. Your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will cover you at the percentage you’re eligible for only up to the amount of the in-state tuition rate. You’ll be responsible for the remaining amount.
How much does GI Bill increase a year?
Effective Aug. 1, those using the Post-9/11 GI Bill at a private or foreign school will see their maximum yearly GI Bill rate increase from $27,120.05 to $28,937.09. Those who are enrolled in flight schools will see their annual maximum GI Bill benefit increase from $15,497.15 to $16,535.46.
How much money do GI Bill recipients get?
GI Bill recipients receive money for housing at the end of each month, based on the cost of living where the school is located (up to a maximum amount). They also get up to $1,000 at the beginning of each school term to pay for textbooks and supplies.
Can I go to a public school if I’m GI Bill eligible?
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. Your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will cover you at the percentage you’re eligible for.