Education & Training

Post 9/11 GI Bill

Eligibility

The Post 9/11 GI Bill is an education benefit program for Servicemembers and veterans who served on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001. Benefits are payable for training pursued on or after Aug. 1, 2009. No payments can be made under this program for training before that date.

To be eligible, the Servicemember or Veteran must serve at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001 and remain on active duty or be honorably discharged. Active duty includes active service performed by National Guard members under title 32 U.S.C. for purposes of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing or training the National Guard; or under Section 502 (f) for the purpose of responding to a national emergency. Veterans may also be eligible if they were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability after serving 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001. Generally, Servicemembers or Veterans may receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Eligibility for benefits expires 15 years from the last period of active duty of at least 90 ​consecutive days. If released for a service-connected disability after at least 30 days of continuous service, eligibility ends15 years from when the member is released for the service-connected disability. If on Aug. 1, 2009, the Servicemember or Veteran is eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill—Selected Reserve; or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program, and qualifies for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, an irrevocable election must be made to receive benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. In most instances, once the election to receive benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill is made, the individual will no longer be eligible to receive benefits under the relinquished program.

Based on the length of active duty service, eligible participants are entitled to receive a percentage of the following:

• Cost of in-state tuition and fees at public institutions and for the 2013-2014 academic year up to $19198.31 toward tuition and fee costs at private and foreign institutions (paid directly to the school).

• Monthly housing allowance* equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E5 with dependents in the same zip code as the primary school (paid directly to the Servicemember, Veteran or eligible dependents).

• Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year (Paid directly to the Servicemember, Veteran or eligible dependents).

• A one-time payment of $500 paid to certain individuals’ relocation from highly rural areas.

(*Housing allowance is not payable to individuals pursuing training, licensing at half time or less)

Approved training under the Post 9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational/technical training, on the job training, flight training, correspondence training licensing and national testing programs and tutorial assistance.

Individuals serving an aggregate period of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, can receive the following percentage based on length of service.

1. Includes service on active duty in entry level and skill training.

2. If the individual would only qualify at the 70 percent level when service on active duty in entry level and skill training is excluded, then VA can only pay at the 70 percent level.

(To Be Continued)

Gregory Raclaw (06), Wade Walder (10), Salvador (Sal) Estrada (15), Henry Callahan (19), Kevin Costello (19), David Codero (23), Dean Morrell (28), Larry Stone (28) and Roger Krzyzowski (31).