In July 2008 the Post-9/11 GI Bill was signed into law, creating a new robust education benefits program rivaling the WWII Era GI Bill of Rights. The new Post 9/11 GI Bill, which went into effect on August 1, 2009, provides education benefits for service members who served on active duty for 90 or more days since September 10, 2001. These benefits are tiered based on the number of days served on active duty, creating a benefit package that gives current and previously activated National Guard and Reserve members the same benefits as active duty servicemembers.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is currently accepting applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Once the VA receives applications, applicants' eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill is determined and applicants are issued a Certificate of Eligibility. Veterans must apply using the VA Form 22-1990, which includes the instructions needed to begin the application process. Post-9/11 benefits are not available to cover training or education programs completed before July 31, 2009.
The New Post-9/11 GI Bill
The New Post-9/11 GI Bill offers a new set of benefits for service members and veterans attending education and training programs taken at an accredited college or university. The new benefits include up to 100% tuition and fees (paid directly to the school) for public in-state institutions and, for the 2012-2013 academic year, up to $18,077.50 for private/foreign institutions (paid directly to the school), a monthly living/housing stipend, up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies, and more.
These new Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit payments are tiered based on the amount creditable active-duty service a veteran has since Sept. 10, 2001.
Pending Changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill
New for 2011 - In December 2010 Congress passed the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2010. The new law expands eligibility to include members of the National Guard who served on Title 32 or in the full-time Active Guard and Reserve (AGR).
The new law also includes a new (reduced) housing stipend for online (distance) learners enables active-duty servicemembers and their GI Bill eligible spouses to receive the annual $1,000 book stipend, adds several vocational, certification and OJT options, and removes the state-by-state tuition caps for veterans enrolled at public (state-operated) colleges and universities.
In addition, the new GI Bill 2.0 includes new tuition and fees coverage caps for veterans attending private universities - $17,500 a year, prorates the housing stipend based on the student's rate of pursuit, and eliminates the "interval pay" which allowed veterans to continue to receive payments during scheduled school breaks (i.e. winter and spring breaks).
The bulk of these changes go into effect August and October 2011.
Tuition and Fees
If a veteran is eligible, VA will pay tuition & fees payment directly to their school. This payment is not to exceed the in-state tuition rate for the school, or $18,077 per academic year for private or foreign schools.
Yellow Ribbon Program
The new GI Bill also includes a provision to help students avoid some or all of the out-of-pocket tuition and fees associated with education programs that may exceed the Post 9/11 GI Bill tuition benefit. The YRP is not automatic, schools must enter into an agreement with the VA to share the expense.
To qualify to receive the Yellow Ribbon benefits a veteran must meet the following criteria:
Served an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of at least 36 months; Were honorably discharged from active duty for a service connected disability and have served a minimum of 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001; Are a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based on a veteran's service under the eligibility criteria listed above.
Monthly Living Stipend
As an eligible veteran or member of the National Guard or Selected Reserve, a service member may receive a monthly housing allowance (living stipend) based on the ZIP code of the location of the school they are attending - not a veteran's home ZIP code. This stipend currently averages $1,200 a month, but can run as high as $3,200.
This stipend is based on the DoD's Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. This stipend does not require students to live on campus.
NOTE: Servicemembers currently on active duty and veterans (and eligible family members) taking courses on a half-time or less basis and/or taking 100% of their classes at a distance (online etc.)* do not qualify for the monthly housing stipend.