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A Guide to the Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Last Updated May 12, 2021

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For qualified veterans, service members, and their family members, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® can help cover the cost of tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing, tutorial and relocation assistance, and testing and certification fees. As of August 2020, eligible individuals can receive up to 36 months of benefits according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

If you are eligible for benefits, you may be able to receive:

  • Full or partial tuition and fees
  • A monthly housing stipend
  • A stipend of up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies
  • A one-time relocation allowance if you’re moving from a rural area

Individuals eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® may be able to use their benefits for a variety of education and job skills training, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, vocational/technical training, flight training, and test fees.

History of the GI Bill®

Before World War II, veterans came home to fend for themselves to fund education, housing, and job training when they re-entered civilian life. Faced with the return of almost 16 million American men and women serving in the armed forces after the war ended, U.S. leaders feared the surge in unemployment could trigger another depression – and to combat that, the GI Bill® was born, according to Defense.gov. The Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944, known as the GI Bill of Rights, offered federal aid to assist veterans buying homes, securing jobs, and earning an education.

The GI Bill® propelled an estimated eight million veterans into college and universities in the first seven years. Within 50 years of its passage, Americans with advanced degrees rose almost 20%.

When the Post-9/11 GI Bill® went into effect in 2009, it joined several other programs designed to change “the lives of millions by replacing old roadblocks with paths of opportunity,” as President George H.W. Bush described it.

What is the Post-9/11 GI Bill®?

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® is an educational assistance program, enacted by Congress to enhance the educational assistance benefits to those who serve on active duty after September 10, 2001.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® is one of several education assistance programs available to veterans or other eligible individuals. However, participation and spending for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® has represented approximately 80% or more of total GI Bill® spending in each year since 2013. Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, eligible servicemembers may transfer unused education benefits to a spouse or dependent children.

Post-9/11 GI Bill® Eligibility and Benefits

Eligibility

According to the VA, to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, individuals must meet at least one of the following conditions:

  • Served at least 90 days on active duty (consecutively or with breaks) on or after September 11, 2001; or
  • Received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001 and honorably discharged after any amount of service; or
  • Served for at least 30 continuous days (without a break in service) on or after September 11, 2001, and honorably discharged with a service-connected disability.

Certain eligible servicemembers may be able to transfer their benefits to family members. The eligibility requirements and policy for transferring Post-9/11 GI Bill® education benefits are set by the U.S. Department of Defense. Members of the armed forces may use the milConnect website to designate, modify, or revoke a Transfer of Entitlement request. Note: Individuals who have retired or been separated are generally ineligible to designate a transferee.   

Benefits

According to the VA, eligible individuals can receive up to 36 months of benefits, which include:

  • Tuition and fees – For eligible individuals who qualify for maximum benefits, the bill covers the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at a public institution. Private and foreign schools’ rates are capped at a rate that changes annually. For the 2020-2021 year (August 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021), the cap is $25,162.14 per academic year.
  • Housing – For eligible individuals attending more than half the time, the bill funds a monthly housing allowance (“MHA”) based on the cost of living where the school is located. If an eligible individual uses Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits while taking only distance-learning courses, the VA will pay a housing allowance based on 50% of the national average.
  • Books and Supplies – As of August 2020, eligible individuals can receive up to $1,000 annually.
  • Relocation from a rural area – Eligible individuals living in a rural county (six or fewer people per square mile) who must either move 500 miles to attend school or fly by plane to arrive at school, may also qualify for a one-time $500 payment.

Note: Certain individuals will receive payments that are lower than the maximum payments as a result of the length of their active duty service or other eligibility characteristics. See below.

Benefits Calculation

The benefits amount for an eligible individual depends on the length of active service since September 10, 2001 and is based on a percentage of the maximum benefit. For example, at the current rate, if you served for at least three years, you would qualify for 100% of the benefit; or, if you had at least 90 days of active service but less than six months since September 10, 2001, you would qualify for 40% of the benefit.

Benefits Expiration

For eligible individuals whose last discharge or release from active duty was on or after January 1, 2013, Post-9/11 GI Bill® education benefits will not expire. However, if your service ended before January 1, 2013, your Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits expire 15 years after discharge or release from active service.

How to Apply for Post-9/11 GI Bill® Benefits

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility for the GI Bill®, you can apply online, by mail, in person, or through an accredited representative. Required information and documentation includes:

  • Social security number (required)
  • Military history (required)
  • General information about the school or training facility you plan to attend, or are currently attending (required)
  • Education history
  • Bank account direct deposit information

Post-9/11 GI Bill® FAQs

Are Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits tax free?

Yes, Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits should not be reported as income on your tax returns. The Internal Revenue Service outlines this in its Tax Exclusion for Veterans Education document.

Am I eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program?

The Yellow Ribbon Program covers a portion of the tuition and fees that exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill® tuition and fees benefit. The Yellow Ribbon Program payment is paid equally by the institution of higher education and the VA. 

If you qualify for the maximum benefit rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and your institution meets the requirements, you may be eligible for benefits under the Yellow Ribbon Program. Visit the VA for the full list of requirements for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Villanova University participates in this program. 

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

Information provided as to the availability and eligibility for military or veteran education assistance programs is for general informational use only. Benefit certification depends upon, among other things, your eligibility, enrollment status, and program of study. 

VA Benefits: Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education and Training Benefits page for more information. Also, visit the Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS) to view which programs of study or courses are currently certified.

For additional resources and information, or to contact a member of our team, visit Villanova’s Office of Veterans and Military Service Members page here.

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