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VA Announces Expansion of Post-9/11 GI Bill
Beginning October 1st, 2011, eligible students will be able to enroll in learning programs not leading to a college degree, including correspondence courses, flight training, on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs. Also beginning in October, non-active duty students who are enrolled in distance-learning courses will be eligible for a housing allowance and students on active duty will be eligible for a stipend for books and supplies. More information at the GI Bill Website.
Post-9/11GI Bill Overview
The Post- 9/11 GI Bill is a new benefit providing educational assistance to individuals who have served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. It was signed into law by President Bush on June 30th, 2008. Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) originally introduced the Senate bill in 2007. The Montgomery Bill provides tuition assistance for those who served before 9/11/2001.
When is The Post-9/11 GI Bill effective?

The Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are payable on August 1, 2009 towards training completed after 7/31/2009.
Am I Eligible?

An individual must have a minimum of 90 days active duty after September 10, 2001, and
Be honorably discharged from Armed Forces; or
Be released from Armed Forces with service characterized as honorable and placed on the retired list, temporary disability retired list, or transferred to the Fleet Reserve or the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve; or
Be released from the Armed Forces with service characterized as honorable for
further service in a reserve component; or
Be discharged or released from Armed Forces for:
     EPTS (Existed Prior to Service)
     HDSP (Hardship) or
     CIWD (Condition Interfered with Duty); or
     Continue to be on active duty.
If I am eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill (chapter 30), Montgomery GI Bill- Selected Reserve (chapter 1606,) or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (chapter 1607), am I eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill?

An individual may elect to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill if, on August 1, 2009, the individual is eligible for chapter 30, 1606, 1607, or is serving in the Armed Forces.
How many months of assistance can I receive?

Generally the number of months of entitlement you can receive is 36 months. A person could earn 36 months of entitlement after serving the minimum 90 days.
How much will I receive?

Eligible individuals will receive a percentage, as determined by length of credible active duty service, of the following:
Amount of tuition and fees not to exceed the most expensive in-State public institution of higher education;
Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing (BAH) amount payable to E-5 with dependents, in same zip code as school *; and
Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000*; and
A one time payment of $500 may be payable to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas.

NOTE: Housing Allowance and books and supplies stipend is not payable to individuals on active duty. Housing Allowance is not payable for those training at less than half time.
Individuals must serve an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of:
Member Serves

Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable
At least 36 months 100
At least 30 continuous days on active duty and must be discharged due to service connected disability 100
At least 30 months, but less than 36 months 90
At least 24 months, but less than 30 months 80
At least 18 months, but less than 24 months 70
At least 12 months, but less than 18 months 60
At least 6 months, but less than 12 months 50
At least 90 days, but less than 6 months 40
Example for entire school year:

Tuition and Fees charged for full time: $3000
Highest In-State Tuition and Fees: $4000
Actual Books and Supplies: $750

Example 1: If you served for three years on active duty and separated, and you are going to school full-time, in the above example you would be eligible for $3000 for tuition and fees, the monthly housing allowance, and $1000 for books and supplies.

Example 2: If you served 12 months in the guard or reserves, and were going to school full-time, you would be eligible for $1800 (60% of $3000) for tuition and fees and $600 (60% of $1000) for books and supplies stipend.
How long am I eligible?

Individuals who serve at least 90 consecutive days are eligible for 15 years from their last period of active duty. If service is 30 days or more and you are released for a service connected disability, you will be eligible for 15 years. For the latest information please visit the GI Bill website at www.gibill.va.gov.
What does The Post- 9/11 GI Bill cover?

Approved training under The Post 9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational/technical training, and foreign training. All training programs must be offered by an institution of higher learning and approved for purposes of chapter 30. Additionally, tutorial assistance, and licensing and certification test reimbursement are approved under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Additionally, if you are eligible for chapter 30, 1606 or 1607, you may be eligible to pursue training for on-the-job training, apprenticeship, correspondence, flight and preparatory courses under Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Can I transfer my entitlement to my dependents?

You must be approved by the Department of Defense (DOD) for eligibility to transfer entitlement to your spouse and dependent children. Please contact DOD or your military service for more information.
Pre-9/11 GI Bill Information
Tuition Support
Tuition Support is one of the many ways the Military helps servicemembers with the rising cost of further education. There are four main initiatives that make up Tuition Support Programs:
Montgomery G.I. Bill
The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is available for those who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. MGIB consists of both the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (Chapter 30) and The Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606). Under Chapter 30, Active Duty members enroll and pay $100 per month for 12 months and are then entitled to receive a monthly education benefit once they have completed a minimum service obligation. Under Chapter 1606, a reservist must be actively drilling and have a 6-year obligation in the Selected Reserve to be eligible.

MGIB offers up to $39,636 in tuition as a benefit for a three-year commitment on full-time duty. Servicemembers contribute $100 a month for a year. In return, they get $1,101 a month for three years.

The G.I. Bill can be used not only for college degree programs but also for flight training, certificate programs, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, entrepreneurship training and correspondence courses, among others. Members of the Reserves and National Guard are also eligible for the G.I. Bill, although at reduced rates.

Complete information at the GI Bill Website
Tuition Assistance
The rising cost of tuition can be hard to manage, but the Military's Tuition Assistance Program pays for up to 100 percent of the cost of tuition or expenses, up to a maximum of $250 per credit and a personal maximum of $4,500 per fiscal year per student. This program is the same for full-time-duty members in all Military Services. Selected Reserve and National Guard units also offer Tuition Assistance Programs, although the benefits may vary from the Active Duty program.
College Fund Programs
Enlistees in the Armed Forces who become eligible for their College Fund Programs receive up to $65,000 toward college tuition, when combined with the Montgomery G.I. Bill, upon honorable discharge. Enlistees who are awarded the College Fund by the Marine Corps or Coast Guard receive additional dollars that can make up a significant part - or all - of the funds needed to complete a college education.
Loan Repayment Programs
Army: For many college students, debt becomes a very big concern following graduation. But in the full-time-duty Army, Soldiers can qualify to have their loan repaid by the Military at the rate of one-third of the loan for each year of full-time duty served (maximum loan repayment is $65,000). The Army even helps Soldiers pay off student loans they've taken out, provided they attended schools on approved Perkins, Stafford, or other Department of Education guaranteed student loans.

Navy: In the full-time-duty Navy, a $65,000 Loan Repayment Program is also available. Qualifications include no prior military service, a high school diploma, and a loan guaranteed under the Higher Education Act of 1965. A candidate must qualify for Navy Nuclear Field or other designated critical rating as defined by the U.S. Navy, and other restrictions apply. If an individual does qualify, either of these programs is a great way to get out of debt!

Air Force: The College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP) is a program created for all non-prior servicemembers considering enlistment in the Air Force. For young people who have taken some college courses and have accumulated debt, this could very well be the perfect opportunity. Participants must sign up for this program when signing the enlistment contract. Under CLRP, the repayment maximum is $10,000 per recruit.
(Source: US Department of Defense)