The Post 9/11 GI Bill

Chellie Pingree chats with service members I am very grateful to our veterans for their service to our nation.  They have made great sacrifices for us all, and the Post 9/11 GI Bill is just one small way we can show our appreciation.  I will continue to work with the VA to ensure a smooth transition for veterans as they return home and further their education. My office stands ready to provide assistance to veterans who have difficulty applying/receiving this new well deserved benefit.

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The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a new education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001.

When Can I Receive Benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are payable for training pursued on or after August 1, 2009. No payments can be made under this program for training pursued before that date.

Am I Eligible?

You may be eligible if you served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after September 10, 2001, and you are still on active duty or were honorably—

  • Discharged from the active duty; or
  • Released from active duty and placed on the retired list or temporary disability retired list; or
  • Released from active duty and transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve; or
  • Released from the active duty for further service in a reserve component of the Armed Forces.

You may also be eligible if you were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001.

If I am eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Service, or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program, am I eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill?

If, on August 1, 2009, you are eligible for one of these programs and you qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may make an irrevocable election to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Note: Once you elect to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you will no longer be eligible to receive benefits under the program from which you elected the Post 9/11-GI Bill.

How much will I receive?

Based on your length of active duty service, you are entitled to a percentage of the following:

  • Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education (paid to school);
  • Monthly housing allowance* equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as your school (paid to you);
  • Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year (paid to you); and
  • A one-time payment of $500 paid to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas.

*Note: The housing allowance and books and supplies stipend are not payable to individuals on active duty. The housing allowance is not payable to those pursuing training at half time or less or to individuals enrolled in distance learning.

Individuals serving an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of: Percentage of maximum benefit payable
At least 36 months 100
At least 30 continuous days and discharged due to service-connected disability 100
At least 30 months < 36 months 90
At least 24 months < 30 months 80
At least 18 months < 24 months 70
At least 12 months < 18 months 60
At least 6 months < 12 months 50
At least 90 days < 6 months 40

How many months of assistance can I receive?

Generally, you may receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

How long am I eligible?

You will be eligible for benefits for 15 years from your last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days. If you were released for a service-connected disability after at least 30 days of continuous service, you will also be eligible for benefits for 15 years.

Example:
Tuition and fees for full time enrollment: $6700. Highest in-state tuition and fees: $7000.

Scenario 1: If you separated following three years on active duty and are going to school full-time, you would receive $6700 for tuition and fees, $1000 for books and supplies, and the monthly housing allowance.

Scenario 2: If you have an aggregate of 12 months of active duty in the guard or reserves and are going to school full-time, you would receive $4020 (60% of $6700) for tuition and fees, $600 (60% of $1000) for books and supplies, and 60% of the monthly housing allowance.

What does the Post-9/11 GI Bill cover?

You may receive benefits for any approved program offered by a school in the United States that is authorized to grant an associate (or higher) degree. Visit our website at www.GIBILL.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/programs.htm to verify that the program at the school you would like to attend is approved. You may also receive benefits for tutorial assistance or up to $2000 for the reimbursement of one licensing or certification test.

If you transferred to the Post-9/11 GI Bill from the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty, GI Bill-Selected Reserves, or the Reserve Education Assistance Program, you may also receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for flight training, apprenticeship or on-the-job training programs, and correspondence courses.

Can I transfer my entitlement to my dependents?

If you are a member of the Armed Forces on August 1, 2009, the Department of Defense (DoD) may offer you the opportunity to transfer benefits to your spouse or dependent children. DoD and the military services will issue policy on entitlement to transferability in the coming months. Visit www.GIBILL.va.gov for up-to-date information on this and other education benefits.

How do I apply?

The Department of Veterans Affairs is now accepting and processing applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. You should complete and submit the application form available online at www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp You will receive a letter explaining VA’s decision regarding your eligibility for the program.

The application form requires that individuals currently eligible for benefits under the Montgomery GI BILL-Active Duty (MGIB-AD), Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) make an irrevocable election from their existing program to the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
 

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