GI Bill Education Benefits

About This Program

The GI Bill provides education and training benefits to veterans and service members who served after September 10, 2001. The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) is the most comprehensive version: it covers 100% of in-state tuition and fees at public schools for veterans with 36 or more months of aggregate service (or who were discharged for a service-connected disability after 30+ days). It also provides a monthly housing allowance based on the E-5 with-dependent BAH rate for your school's location, plus $1,000 per year for books and supplies. Private school tuition is covered up to a nationally set cap (approximately $28,937 per academic year in 2024-25). Some schools participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which provides additional funding beyond the cap for private school or out-of-state tuition — check whether your target school participates before enrolling. Benefits can be transferred to a spouse or dependent children if the service member commits to additional service at the time of transfer. Transfer must be approved while still on active duty; it cannot be arranged after separation. Dependents use the transferred benefits within the same 36-month entitlement. The GI Bill covers not just traditional colleges but also vocational training, apprenticeships, flight school, on-the-job training, and licensing and certification exams. Veterans exploring non-traditional education paths should check the VA's approved programs list to confirm their program qualifies before enrolling.

Eligibility Requirements

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