GI Bill Benefits: What They Cover and How They Work

• GI Bill benefits cover tuition, a monthly housing allowance, and a book stipend, but only for VA-approved programs.
• Post-9/11 and Montgomery GI Bills have different eligibility rules.

The GI Bill has been helping service members and Veterans pay for education since 1944, and it covers a lot more than just tuition.

Here’s what you need to know about who qualifies, what’s included, and how to put it to work.

The GI Bill dates back to 1944, when returning military members needed assistance reacclimating to civilian life. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed legislation providing financial assistance to service members and Veterans to attend college, and the program has since expanded significantly.

Today, GI Bill benefits include tuition assistance, a housing allowance, a book stipend, and the option to use the military benefit for training and certification programs.

Eligible service members, Veterans, and qualifying dependents may be able to use GI benefits to:

• Pay for college or trade school.
• Receive a housing allowance.
• Pay for books and supplies.
• Take certification and training courses.
• Cover education and living expenses while enrolled.

Eligibility depends on which GI Bill program you qualify for. To be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill, you must have received an honorable discharge. If you’re unsure of your discharge status, the VA has a process to apply for a discharge upgrade.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is provided to all service members who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001.

You may be eligible if one of the following conditions is met:

• You served at least 90 days total on active duty, or
• You served at least 30 continuous days on active duty and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability, or
• You received a Purple Heart

In some scenarios, this benefit also extends to eligible dependents.

The Montgomery GI Bill includes those who served before September 11, 2001. For those who served on active duty, eligibility depends on when you served, your length of service, and your specific enlistment terms.

Most people fall under Category I, which generally requires at least 2 to 3 years of continuous active duty and a $100/month pay reduction during the first 12 months of service. There are additional eligibility categories for Veterans who served before 1977, those who were involuntarily separated, and others.

On April 16, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that if you served at least two periods of service, one that qualifies for the Montgomery GI Bill and another that qualifies for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may be able to receive both benefits for up to 48 months of total entitlement.

For reservists who agreed to serve six years in the Selected Reserve after June 30, 1985. One important distinction: MGIB-SR benefits are only available while you’re actively serving in the Selected Reserve. Once you leave, you’re no longer eligible.

To confirm eligibility, you’ll need your Social Security number and military record. Once approved and enrolled, you’ll provide your school’s information to determine your benefit amount and banking information for direct deposit.

Many GI Bill benefits are similar for active-duty members and Veterans, although some payments and eligibility rules differ. However, active-duty members cannot receive the BAH housing stipend, whereas Veterans receive that additional benefit when enrolled in school.

Active-duty service members can transfer their GI Bill benefits to their dependents. They must do this while on active duty and can begin the process only after serving for at least 6 years. They must commit to serving in the military for another 4 years to transfer their eligibility. They can split their months of eligibility between multiple dependents.

The right program depends on when you served and your specific service history.

Here’s a quick way to think about it:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill is generally the strongest option for most Veterans who served after September 10, 2001. It covers tuition, housing, and books, and payments are made directly to your school and to you.
• MGIB-AD may be the right fit if you served before 2001 or don’t qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Payment amounts vary based on your length of service and eligibility category.
• MGIB-SR is for reservists actively serving in the Selected Reserve. Keep in mind, benefits end when you leave the Reserve.
• Both Post-9/11 and MGIB-AD may apply to you if you have two or more qualifying periods of service. Under the Rudisill decision, you may be eligible for up to 48 months of combined benefits.

While the GI Bill’s most notable benefit is tuition assistance, the legislation also includes other financial benefits.

Whether you’re heading back to school, pursuing a certification, or exploring a trade or unconventional program, it’s worth understanding exactly what you’re entitled to before you enroll. Those eligible for the GI Bill can, in most cases, receive all the benefits.

The GI Bill can cover the cost of tuition for higher education, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. You can use the GI Bill to pay for in-person classes or online education.

Does the GI Bill Cover a Full Four-Year Degree?

Yes, in most cases. Most eligible Veterans receive up to 36 months of GI Bill benefits, which generally covers a full four-year degree if you attend during the traditional school year without summer classes.

In certain situations, such as qualifying under the Rudisill decision or combining GI Bill benefits with VR&E, you may be eligible for up to 48 months of total education benefits.

If you attend year-round, benefits cover three years of continuous enrollment, but you’ll receive an uninterrupted housing allowance the entire time.

A few things to keep in mind:

• The GI Bill caps coverage at the in-state tuition rate for public universities. If you attend a private or out-of-state school that costs more, you’ll pay the difference out of pocket.
• If you’re in a STEM field, you may qualify for an additional nine months through the STEM Scholarship Program, though this requires a separate application.
• You can take longer than four years to finish your degree and still receive benefits for the months you’re enrolled.

If you’re attending school in person, you can receive a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) to help cover living expenses. This is based on the E-5 with dependents BAH rate for your school’s ZIP code, regardless of your pay grade while in the military.

It’s worth noting that active-duty service members are not eligible for the housing allowance or book stipend. These benefits are available to Veterans and qualifying dependents only.

Using your GI Bill housing allowance while in school? Find Housing Near Your Program.

Your GI Bill benefit can provide financial assistance for certification and licensure courses and education.

GI Bill benefits may cover approved certification tests, licensing exams, and certain training programs, depending on the program and eligibility requirements. However, the program will not pay for the actual fees associated with your certificate or license registration, just the educational component.

A few common programs the GI Bill can cover include:

• Professional Licenses: Teaching, real estate, and more.
• IT Certifications: CCNA, CompTIA A+, and more.
• Healthcare Certifications: CNA, RN, MD, and more.
• Trade and Technical Certifications: Construction, engineering, and more.
• Aviation Certifications: Pilot’s license, aviation maintenance, air traffic controller, and more.
• Business and Finance Certifications: CPA, CFP, and more.
• Law Enforcement/Security Certifications: Cybersecurity, physical security, and more.
• Transportation Certifications: CDL and more.
• Skilled Trades and Labor Certifications: Welding, plumbing, electrical, and more.

Beyond formal education, GI Bill benefits can be used for career-focused training and guidance programs. The Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG) program includes counseling and planning support as you transition back to school or into the workforce.

Veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities may also be eligible for the Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) program. This is separate from the GI Bill and provides up to 48 months of education, training, and employment support for Veterans with at least a 10% disability rating.

One useful tip is that if you use VR&E benefits before your GI Bill, your GI Bill entitlement won’t be reduced. If you think you may qualify for both, it’s worth contacting the VA to understand the best sequence for your situation.

Tuition and housing are the two biggest GI Bill benefits, but there are a few more worth knowing about:

• Books and supplies stipend: A set amount paid at the start of each enrollment period to help cover course materials.
• Tutoring assistance: Available for eligible students who need academic support.
• Yellow Ribbon Program: Some private and out-of-state schools participate in this program, which can help cover tuition costs that exceed standard Post-9/11 GI Bill limits. Availability varies by school, so check with your institution directly.
• Tuition Assistance Top-Up: If you’re approved for federal Tuition Assistance through the Department of Defense, you may be eligible for additional support to help cover remaining tuition costs.

The exact amount the GI Bill pays per month depends on your location. Coverage is based on the per-credit-hour cost of in-state tuition at a public university in your school’s state. Your BAH benefit is based on the E5 with dependents rate in your school’s ZIP code, regardless of your pay grade while in the military.

There will be a few things you need and steps to take to apply for GI Bill benefits.

What you’ll need:

• Social Security number.
• Bank account information for direct deposit.
• Education and military history.
• Basic information about the school or training program you plan to attend.

Steps to apply:

1. Check your eligibility: Review which program applies to you using the VA’s GI Bill Comparison Tool.
2. Verify your program is VA-approved: Confirm your school or training program is approved before enrolling. You can search through the GI Bill Comparison Tool or call the GI Bill Hotline at 888-442-4551.
3. Submit your application: Apply online using VA Form 22-1990, which should only take you about 15 minutes to complete. You can also apply by mail or with the help of a trained VSO.
4. Wait for a response from the VA: After you apply for VA education benefits, you will be mailed a decision letter. This usually takes about 30 days. If the VA approves your application, you may need to show the letter (called a Certificate of Eligibility or COE) to the VA certifying official at your school to start using education benefits.

Dependents and survivors: Separate applications apply for transferred benefits, the Fry Scholarship, and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA).

The GI Bill is one of the most valuable military benefits available to those who’ve served, but it only works if you use it. Whether you’re heading back to school, pursuing a certification, or exploring a trade or unconventional program, it’s worth understanding exactly what you’re entitled to before you enroll.

The GI Bill is just one piece of the puzzle. Explore more military benefits and housing resources on AHRN.