THE POST-9/11 GI BILL

The Post-9/11 GI Bill, which takes effect August 1, 2009, was pushed through Congress by Senator Jim Webb (D-Virginia). It provides up to 36 months of education benefits for:

  • Veterans who have served at least 90 days after the attacks of September 11, 2001
  • Veterans who have been discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days

Veterans must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides:

  • The equivalent of in-state tuition at the highest-priced public college in the veteran's state of residence, based on undergraduate tuition and fees; payments go directly to the school attended.

  • A a monthly housing allowance and a $1,000 stipend for books and supplies; payments go directly to the veteran. The amount of the housing allowance is based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school. Click here to get the BAH for your school's ZIP code.

  • Veterans with 3 years' service after September 10, 2001, are eligible for the maximum of 100 percent of the benefits.

  • Those who served 90 days after September 10, 2001, can receive up to 40 percent of the benefits.

  • Benefits are available to veterans for 15 years after their service and may be transferred to spouses and children.

  • A one-time rural benefit payment for eligible persons.

If you are enrolled exclusively in online training, you will not receive the housing allowance.

If you are on active duty, you will not receive the housing allowing or books-and-supplies stipend.

The original GI Bill remains an option, however. It provides a monthly payment of up to $1,321, and benefits are available to veterans for 10 years after their service.

To determine which education benefit program is right for you, view the comparison chart on the GI Bill website: http://gibill.va.gov.

A website that enables veterans to apply for benefits online is "Veterans On-Line Application" (VONAPP). To apply for education benefits on this website, click here.