The Post 9/11 GI Bill and the FAFSA

The new changes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill have truly improved the already helpful benefit program, making it one of the most comprehensive educational benefit programs available to veterans.

Similar to the Yellow Ribbon Program, the Post 9/11 GI Bill offers lucrative financial aid benefits to active duty, reserve, and veterans. These benefits are meant to scale with the rising costs of tuition and offer more than the predecessor, the Montgomery GI Bill.

This does not mean, however, that your financial aid options stop with your Post 9-11 GI Bill benefits!

FAFSA and the Post 9/11 GI Bill

Make sure to fill out your FAFSA application in addition to the Post 9-11 GI Bill’s application. If your dependent is receiving your Post 9-11 GI Bill benefits, your dependent should also still fill out the FAFSA. With the FAFSA being reduced from it’s dire thirty-page application status to a mere ten-page application (not applicable this fall, but for the semesters thereafter),the FAFSA forms will be easier than ever to complete.

Why fill out the FAFSA when the Post 9-11 GI Bill gives you so many benefits? Here are some of the additional benefits you may receive by taking the time to fill the FAFSA out:

• Pell Grants–money you never have to pay back!
• Other grants
• Subsidized and unsubsidized loans to cover the additional expenses you may incur while attending college; online students, for example, do not receive a BAH, so loans may be your only option for handling those expenses

How FAFSA and the GI Bill Work Together:

FAFSA and the GI Bill are completely separate, but if used conjointly, can be wonderful compliments to your education benefits package. You will fill out the FAFSA application separately from your GI Bill benefits application, as they are not connected. They are two separate ways to receive educational benefits, but they do not rely on one another.

When you fill out the FAFSA forms…

• Your GI Bill benefits are NOT considered income.
• Be sure to mark your GI Bill benefits as a resource.
• The form will ask you what benefits you will be receiving, so be sure to provide the appropriate answer.

Financial Aid: FAFSA & The GI Bill Over Other Types of Assistance

The last thing you want to do is resort to a private loan. Student loans without FAFSA can take years to pay back and can end up costing you a fortune.

As a member of the military, you are entitled to a significant amount of financial aid to help you through college; in the event, however, that your military financial aid does not cover all of your college expenses, the Pell Grants and government loans are a better alternative than a private loan through a bank.

When it comes to financial aid, money from your FAFSA, GI Bill benefits and other military education benefit programs work well together in providing you with a free, quality education.