The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays three things for up to 36 months: your tuition (sent directly to the school), a monthly housing allowance based on your school’s location, and a yearly stipend of up to $1,000 for books and supplies. Veterans with at least 90 days of active duty after September 10, 2001, and a discharge that wasn’t dishonorable qualify for at least a share of it.
Here’s what each piece is worth, who gets what percentage, and how to start using it.
What the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers
- Tuition and fees. Full in-state tuition at public schools, paid straight to the school. Private and foreign schools are covered up to an annual cap that adjusts each year — the current cap is at va.gov/education/benefit-rates.
- Monthly housing allowance (MHA). Paid to you, based on the military housing rate (E-5 with dependents) for your school’s zip code — higher in expensive cities, lower in rural areas. Online-only students get a reduced flat rate, and active-duty students don’t receive MHA.
- Books and supplies. Up to $1,000 per year, paid to you at the start of each term, prorated by credit hours. No receipts required.
- Extras. A one-time rural relocation payment for qualifying moves, licensing and certification exam reimbursement, and tutorial assistance — see the full list of add-on benefits.
How much you qualify for
Your benefit percentage depends on your total active-duty service after September 10, 2001:
| Service after 9/10/2001 | Benefit level |
|---|---|
| 36+ months | 100% |
| 30–35 months | 90% |
| 24–29 months | 80% |
| 18–23 months | 70% |
| 12–17 months | 60% |
| 90 days–11 months | 50% |
Two shortcuts to 100%: a Purple Heart earned on or after September 11, 2001, or a discharge for a service-connected disability after any period of service.
The Yellow Ribbon Program: closing the tuition gap
If a private school or out-of-state program costs more than the GI Bill cap, participating Yellow Ribbon schools contribute toward the difference and the VA matches their contribution dollar for dollar — often covering tuition completely. You need the 100% benefit level, and schools cap how many students they take, so apply early and confirm participation through the GI Bill Comparison Tool.
Where you can use it
Any VA-approved program: two- and four-year degrees, graduate and professional school, trade and technical certificates, apprenticeships and on-the-job training, flight training, and online programs. The Comparison Tool shows approval status, graduation rates, and what the benefit pays at each school. Also weigh your state’s own programs — some states add free tuition on top.
The Montgomery GI Bill, briefly
Veterans who paid into the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) during service receive a fixed monthly payment instead — no separate housing allowance, same amount everywhere. A smaller Selected Reserve version (Chapter 1606) exists for Guard and Reserve members. If you qualify for both Montgomery and Post-9/11, you may make a one-time, irrevocable election between them; Post-9/11 wins for most people, but compare first.
Transferring benefits to your spouse or kids
Transfer is only possible while still serving: you generally need six years in and must commit to four more. Apply through milConnect, split your 36 months among beneficiaries however you like, and adjust later while serving. Spouses can use benefits right away; children after you hit ten years of service, up to age 26. Once you separate, the window to set up a transfer is closed — plan ahead.
How to apply
- Apply at va.gov/education (VA Form 22-1990) with your DD-214, school choice, and bank details. Applying two to three months before classes start avoids payment gaps.
- Receive your Certificate of Eligibility and give it to your school’s veterans benefits office.
- Your school certifies enrollment each term; keep the certifying official informed of any schedule change.
Questions? Call the VA Education Call Center at 888-442-4551 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. ET), or get free help from a Veterans Service Officer. And if you have a service-connected disability, compare the GI Bill against VR&E (Chapter 31) before you commit — for many disabled veterans it’s the better deal.
Common questions
How long do I have to use my GI Bill?
If your last discharge was on or after January 1, 2013, Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits never expire. For earlier discharges, you have 15 years from your last separation. The Montgomery GI Bill expires 10 years after discharge.
Can I use the GI Bill for online school?
Yes, at any VA-approved school. But online-only students get a reduced flat housing allowance. Taking even one in-person class per term qualifies you for the full location-based rate — often a difference of hundreds of dollars a month.
Does the GI Bill cover graduate school?
Yes — master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees like an MBA, JD, or MD all qualify at approved schools, using the same 36 months of entitlement. The Yellow Ribbon Program is especially valuable for expensive graduate programs.
Can I switch from the Montgomery GI Bill to Post-9/11?
Yes, if you qualify for both — but it is a one-time, irrevocable choice. Post-9/11 is usually worth more, though the Montgomery GI Bill can win when tuition is very low. Run both through the GI Bill Comparison Tool before deciding.
What happens to unused benefits?
They simply sit there until you use them or, for pre-2013 discharges, until the 15-year window closes. There is no cash refund. If you are still serving, transferring unused months to a spouse or child may be the smartest move.