Veterans Benefits GI Bill

Welcome to the Veteran Benefits GI Bill blog. Our mission is to educate members and veterans of the military on the benefits of education through the GI Bill.

History of the GI Bill

In 1944, Franklin D. Roosevelt passed the first GI Bill. Students were given five hundred dollars per school year to cover tuition, provided they had prior military service.

The idea behind the original GI Bill, often referred to as the “Montgomery GI Bill,” was that war veterans would be able to re-incorporate themselves into society after coming back to the country. As time passed, however, the GI Bill became an incentive for military recruitment, and the prospect for college through service increased in popularity. Today, many people join the military to gain the benefits of the GI Bill; however, there are also many that still join the military and are unaware of the GI Bill’s actual benefits.

The “Post 9/11 GI Bill,” effective August 1, 2009, provides the most benefits military personnel have received since the original GI Bill of 1944. It is far more lucrative than the original benefits of the GI Bill of 1944.

How Do I Apply for the Post 9/11 GI Bill?

The Department of Veteran Affairs is currently not accepting applications for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, although applications should be available soon. The progress of the GI Bill will be continuously posted on this blog, and can also be followed on www.gibill.va.gov. All college taken after July 31, 2009 should gain the benefits of the bill. Application for the fall FAFSA has already started, so the Post 9/11 GI Bill should be following soon.

Once applications are available, it is encouraged to fill them out online for the most immediate return.

Am I Eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill?

You become eligible for parts of the benefits of the GI Bill after consecutive service for 90 days since September 11, 2001. The more service accrued in that time span, the more benefits become available. Full benefits become available after three years of service, or if you were discharged due to a service-related disability.

Because the Montgomery GI Bill is separate from the Post 9/11 GI Bill, it is not required for you to qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill in order to get this one.

What Benefits Does the 9/11 GI Bill Offer?

The GI Bill will provide up to 100% of your tuition costs, dependent on the college attended. It also grants $1,000/year for books and supplies. Students must attend school full time, or the benefits will be lowered based upon units taken.

These figures vary state-to-state, but this is a rough idea of the benefits depending on service since 2001:

100% for 3 years;

100% for 30 days with discharge;

90% for two-and-a-half years;

80% for 2 years;

70% for one-and-a-half years;

60% for a year;

50% for half a year;

and 40% for 90 days.

A housing stipend is also available for full-time students that attend a college campus or participate in hybrid learning, in which online education and campus education are intermingled. Students that participate strictly in distance learning education do not qualify for the housing stipend. Housing varies by zipcodes (to address the needs of higher cost areas) but averages at $1,200/month.

Can My Dependents Benefit from the Post 9/11 GI Bill?

Most definitely! Military veterans that have served a minimum of six years and agree to serve for another four years may give up to half of their benefits from the Post 9/11 GI Bill to dependents like their children or their spouse. The Department of Defense has the right to place additional requirements for this eligibility.

What are the Differences Between the Post 9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill?

The Montgomery GI Bill offered significantly less than the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Even with several increases in benefits over the decades, the Montgomery Bill did not triple the original amount of $500 in 1944, capping at $1,321/month for tuition. This made higher cost colleges impossible without further financial support. There also was an enrollment fee to be considered for qualification, and more stringent guidelines to qualify.

As part of the goal to further educate America, the Post 9/11 GI Bill offers greater benefits, easier qualifications, and free applicaton. It also extends its reach beyond the cost of tuition and into the expenses of books, supplies, and housing. This bill is meant to serve the future for generations to come.