1. Who is Eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
Veterans who have served on active duty at least 90 aggregate days after Sept. 10, 2001, or served at least 30 continuous days on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001 and received a discharge for disability.
Officers who graduated from service academies or received ROTC scholarships qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit. However, time spent satisfying the ROTC/service academy active duty obligation does not count toward the active duty service necessary to qualify for the benefits.
2. Am I Eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill If I Used All of My Benefits Under the Montgomery GI Bill?
If you used all 36 months of benefits under MGIB and you are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may receive up to 12 months of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. However, you cannot receive more than a maximum of 48 months of benefits under any combination of Department of Veterans Affairs education programs.
3. Can I Use the Post-9/11 GI Bill While on Active Duty?
Yes, but you cannot receive a housing allowance, or stipends for books and supplies.
You must have completed a minimum of 90 days of service (other than basic training), and the tuition payment cannot exceed the amount not paid by military tuition assistance and/or the total amount of tuition and fees.
4. Do I Get My $1,200 Refunded if I Switch From the Montgomery GI Bill to the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
Any individual who paid the $1,200 buy-in for the Montgomery GI Bill and chooses to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill may be refunded a proportional amount if all entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is used. Individuals who do not use all their entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill will not receive a refund.
5. Does the Post-9/11 GI Bill pay for vocational training programs?
Yes, as long as they are offered by Institutions of Higher Learning.
6. How Are Benefits Paid?
There are three different payments under the Post-9/11 GI Bill:
- Tuition and fees, paid directly to the school, not to exceed the maximum in-state undergraduate tuition and fees at a public institution.
- Monthly housing allowance, paid to the individual
- Books and supplies stipend, paid to the individual
7. How Do I Apply?
Electronic application forms can be completed and submitted online at www.gibill.va.gov
If you can�t apply online, you can call 1-888-GI BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to have a form mailed to you.
You can also get an application form at the school you wish to attend. The VA certifying official at the school (usually in the registrar's or financial aid office) should have the forms. They can help you fill them out and will submit them to Department of Veterans Affairs.
8. How Long Do I Have to Use the Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are payable for 15 years following the individual�s release from active duty.
9. What Benefits Does the Post-911 GI Bill Pay?
Tuition and Fees: Veterans may be eligible for full payment of their tuition and fees, not to exceed the maximum in-state undergraduate tuition and fees at a public Institution in the state in which the student is enrolled.
Housing Allowance: The housing allowance is equivalent to Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents, based on the ZIP code of the school where the student is enrolled. However, active duty service members, anyone enrolled half time or less and those pursuing entirely distance learning are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance.
Books and Stipends: A books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year can be paid, which is prorated based upon the student�s payment rate. Active duty members are not eligible for this payment.
Tutoring: Benefits for tutorial assistance or up to $2,000 for the reimbursement of one licensing or certification test is available.
Training programs: Those who transfer to the Post-9/11 GI Bill from the Montgomery GI Bill � Active Duty, Montgomery GI Bill � Selected Reserves or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program may receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for flight training, apprenticeships, on-the-job training programs and correspondence courses.
Moving costs: A one-time rural benefit payment of $500 to individuals who reside in a county with six persons or fewer per square mile (as determined by the most recent decennial census), and who either:
� physically relocate at least 500 miles to attend an educational institution or
� relocate by air to attend an educational institution (if no other land-based transportation exists.)
10. Can I Transfer My Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits to My Family?
A special provision of the program allows career service members the opportunity to share their education benefits with immediate family members.
As long as you meet the requirements for transferring your Post 9/11 GI Bill, the actual transfer procedure is easy. You have to be on active duty and you have to be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill to transfer your benefits.
You also have to have been in the military for at least 6 years to be eligible to transfer your benefits. Your children will have to be registered in to receive your benefits.
Your children will not be able to use the benefits until you have been in the military for 10 years and they have until they turn 26 years old to use the benefits. When they are ready to attend school they just need to go to the web site and apply for their GI Bill benefits.
