The Post 9-11 GI Bill—All Aboard! Part 1
Jul 17 2009
The implementation date is around the corner, 1 August 2009.
So who qualifies?
• Members who serve or served full-time duty in the Regular components of the Armed Forces or those serving or served under a call/order to active duty (AD) under Title 10 with a few exceptions.
• Currently serving, former and retired members.
• You have min 90 aggregate days of AD service time since 11 Sep 01.
• Members with 30 days service if discharged with service-connected disabilities.
• Honorable discharge.
• Your education benefits start 1 Aug 09 or later.
Whether you participated or not in the older GI Bills, you are eligible for the new Post 9-11 GI Bill if you meet the service requirements. You may still earn some Post 9-11 GI Bill benefits even if you used your old GI Bill benefits. You may be due a partial refund of your old GI Bill investment if you didn’t use all your old benefits.
The benefits:
Your benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits. The benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty. Dependent children are eligible until they reach age 26—no 15 year limitation.
The amount of your benefit corresponds with the amount of active duty service you have. To learn how to apply these percentages outlined below, see this VA web page.
Act Duty Complete after Sep 10, 01/% of Max Amnt Payable
At least 36 months / 100%
Min 30 continuous days on AD-discharged, service-connected disability / 100%
30 months to 36 months / 90%
24 months to 30 months / 80%
18 months to 24 months / 70%
12 months to 18 months / 60%
6 months to 12 months / 50%
90 days to 6 months / 40%
The program will pay eligible individuals:
• Tuition & fees directly to the school not to exceed the maximum in-state tuition & fees at a public Institution of Higher Learning. Chart listing maximum rates by state.
o For an example of tuition & fees the VA will pay your school click here
o For an example of tuition & fee payments for a private institution click here
• A monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school. To determine the BAH for your school’s ZIP code click here .
• An annual books & supplies stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment.
• A one-time rural benefit payment of $500 for eligible individuals.
Active duty members and their spouses (if the benefit is transferred) receive the enhanced benefit of 100% of their tuitions and fees paid, regardless of the costs. However you will not receive the housing allowance (you already receive a housing allowance) or books and supplies payment.
The Post 9-11 GI Bill benefit pays for education and training started on or after 1 Aug 09. There are no retroactive payments for education or training started or completed prior to 1 Aug 09.
On the next post, choosing between the current educational programs and the Post 9-11 GI Bill and the Transfer option.
