Who Is Eligible For The Post
Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits are available for service members who served on active duty on September 11, 2001, or following that date. Current members of the military or those who have separated with an honorable discharge may access these benefits.
To be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, you must have served:
- An aggregate of 90 days active duty, and received an honorable discharge, or
- At least 30 days of continuous active duty, and be discharged with a service-connected disability
Reservists and Guard members also qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® with the following active duty:
- All voluntary active duty
- Title 10 active duty supporting named contingency operations
- Title 32 service, section 502
- Title 32 service
Authorize School Officials To Release Information To The Va
Lastly, veterans using the GI Bill to study overseas need to actually provide their foreign school to release information directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs. If veterans dont do this, theyll likely face further delay in receiving their benefits a potentially challenging situation when living overseas.
And, related to this authorization, veterans should tell their foreign schools whether they plan to study there for multiple years, as these schools generally only certify their students with the VA for one academic year. To avoid further delays in payments, veterans should ideally provide their schools at least four months notice to re-enroll them for a second year, as any less time could cause a delay in processing with the VA.
Both Offer A Kicker Providing Additional Funds
Whichever bill you choose, you can potentially receive additional funds with a kicker. The title may not sound like much, but the kicker also called the college fund by some branches of the military can be pretty significant. Some branches offer up to $950 per month.
The thing about the kicker is this: it varies depending on the branch you serve in. To learn more about the kicker and the qualifications you need to receive it, review your enlistment contract, the information on your branchs website or visit a VA location.
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How To Use The Gi Bill To Study Overseas
Due to the programs tremendous educational benefits, veterans frequently ask if its possible to use the GI Bill to study overseas. It absolutely is, and in this article, well explain how veterans can use their GI Bill benefits to attend a foreign university.
Specifically, well cover the following topics:
- GI Bill Overview
- GI Bill Housing Allowance Overseas
- Step 1: Foreign Program Approval Status
- Step 1a: Asking a Foreign University to Request VA Approval
- Step 2: Apply for GI Bill Benefits
- Step 3: Make Arrangements for Travel and Living Overseas
- Step 4: Authorize School Officials to Release Information to the VA
- Final Thoughts
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Gi Bill Benefits Under The Montgomery Gi Bill
Payment is based on the number of classes you attend:
- 12 hours or more – fulltime
- 9 – 11 hours – ¾ time
- 6 – 8 hours – ½ time
- Less than 6 hours – reimbursed at a rate not to exceed the tuition and fees charged for the course.
- For graduate level training, the training time is determined by the college – for example, if a 2 hour class is considered full time in a graduate program at your school, the VA will pay you the full time rate.
See the current Active Duty Montgomery GI Bill rates.
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Other Gi Bill Programs
For all the other GI Bill programs such as the Montgomery GI Bill , the Reserve Educational Assistance Program, and the Survivorsâ and Dependentsâ Educational Assistance Program, the VA pays a certain amount of your tuition on a monthly basis, again depending on your eligibility.
There are different rates for each GI Bill program, which you can check on the VA Rate Tables, which is updated each academic year.
You can also find out how much you can get depending on the school you want to attend by using the GI Bill Comparison Tool.
What Is The Va 10 Year Rule
Ten Year Rule) The 10 year rule is after 10 years, the service connection is protected from being dropped. Twenty Year Rule) If your disability has been continuously rated at or above a certain rating level for 20 or more years, the VA cannot reduce your rating unless it finds the rating was based on fraud.
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What Are School Certifying Officials
- School Certifying Officials are Admissions and Records classified professionals responsible for certifying veterans’ initial enrollment for GI Bill® Benefits and reporting any changes in enrollment throughout the semester.
- The certification submitted by the SCOs is evaluated by VA to determine payment.
How To Apply For Your Gi Bill
If this is your first time using the GI Bill and you havent yet applied for benefits please review the links below.
Select which GI Bill is best to help you meet your educational goals and provide the greatest financial support during your enrollment. If you have entered the military from Wyoming, there are many other veteran benefits available to you from the State of Wyoming. Contact Dr. Nicholas Whipps, Veterans and International Student Coordinator at or call 307-268-2510 before committing yourself to one chapter. Please keep in mind that the choice you make could be irrevocable.
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What Are The Eligibility Requirements For Gi Bill Benefits
Researching VA benefits and GI Bill eligibility is a critical first step. The VA outlines guidelines that can help you determine what the GI Bill can cover for you. For instance, if you’re entering a field that requires expensive exams, you might be able to use the GI Bill to cover testing fees. Additional benefits include flight training, foreign exchange programs, apprenticeships, and distance learning.
Once you’ve decided on a program, it’s important to research how much tuition assistance you can get for a particular school. The GI Bill comparison tool lets you search by state or school. Knowing the amount of tuition that’ll be covered and the housing allowance for a particular region could affect your decision.
You’ll still need to submit a college application like other applicants, so take note of upcoming application deadlines.
What Gi Bill College Programs Are Available
There are many different ways to qualify for GI Bill college benefits that will enable you to go to college. Especially relevant are the two well focus on here: The Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Before we get started, its important to note that each of these programs has different benefits and eligibility requirements. You can find out more about them from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs . You can also read these additional resources to see if your desired school works with your benefits.
With that said, lets get an overview of each:
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Certify Your Classes With The Va Counselor
Each semester you will need to certify that you are attending classes. You can do this by submitting a Request for Certification Form. This form is available at either the City Park Campus or West Bank Campus Office of Veterans Affairs, or you can find the form on this web site. This is something you will need to do each semester.
Bah Rates State Charts
CollegeRecon is a military education and transition resource. We provide online tools and actionable info to better understand your Post-9/11 GI Bill and military and veteran education benefits programs.
Find info on top online degree programs for military using their Post-9/11 GI Bill, as well as ways to pay for school such as scholarships for military and veterans. We can also assist you through your transition with certificate, training, and career options after you leave the military.
CollegeRecon is built exclusively for veterans, active military, the National Guard, Reserves, military spouses and dependents of the US Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and DoD to assist in their education journey.
Tools
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How Do I Use My Va Education Benefits
Q: How do I apply to receive education benefits?A: Use the links below to learn about the education benefits you’ve earned and read through the handbook, Factors To Consider When Choosing A School. Start with the first one and move down the list. Each link will open a pop-up window, so when you get finished just close the window and move on to the next one.
- VA Education Homepage – Learn everything you need to know about your benefits and how to use them.
- VA Education Benefits – Learn more about your education benefits.
- VA Education Benefit User Guide – Use this guide to help you navigate the benefit application process and to learn how to use your benefit wisely.
Q: Am I eligible to receive the GI Bill?A: To find out if you are eligible for the GI Bill you may call 1-888-GIBILL-1 to speak with a Veterans Benefits Counselor.
Q: I am eligible for the GI Bill. What do I do next?A: If you are eligible for the GI Bill, use to file your application for benefits.
With you can:
- Apply for VA compensation, pension, education, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial benefits.
- Report the status of dependents, file a claim for increase in your service connected disability, a new disability, an ancillary benefit, entitlement to statutory benefits such as special monthly compensation, and entitlement to special monthly pension.
For more information on this procedure, please email your inquiry to
How To Gift Your Gi Benefits To Your Spouse
The Post-9/11 GI Bill has helped millions of servicemembers pursue college degrees, vocational training, and coursework. The Bill has become even more valuable for military families with a recent addition. This new option permits servicemembers to transfer the GI Bill to a spouse or family member, who can take advantage of the education benefits.
A recent report from the Department of Veterans Affairs reveals that 79 percent of veterans enrolled in higher education were beneficiaries of the post-9/11 program. Signed into law in 2009 and expanded last year, the bill provides education benefits for servicemembers on active duty for 90 or more days since September 10, 2001. Service personnel are entitled to full tuition and fee payments, a housing allowance, and an annual stipend of up to $1,000 for books and supplies.
Now that servicemembers can transfer the GI Bill to a spouse, all or part of any unused education benefits can be gifted as long as the request is completed while serving as an active member of the armed forces.
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The Montgomery Gi Bill Active Duty
The Montgomery Bill Active Duty program uses a combination of your own paycheck contributions and government funding to help pay for education or training benefits for a maximum of 36 months. You can take advantage of these education benefits while you serve or within ten years of completing service. Unlike the Post-9/11 GI Bill, these benefits are paid directly to you for every month you are enrolled rather than to the school.
MONTGOMERY GI BILL ACTIVE DUTY REQUIREMENTS
In order to receive the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty benefits you must opt into the program and begin paycheck contributions within your first three days of service. After contributing $100 a month out of your paycheck for 12 months, and serving on active duty for at least two years, you will be eligible to receive these benefits. The amount of money you can receive depends on your length of service, the type of school or training program, and whether or not you have contributed to the $600 Buy-Up Program.
THE $600 BUY-UP PROGRAM
The $600 Buy-Up Program allows you to contribute money from your own paycheck in order to increase the amount of Montgomery GI Bill benefit payments you receive each month. With a $600 monthly contribution, you can get up to an additional $5,400 each month in benefits.
National Testing Programs/licensing & Certification Tests
Section 108 of Public Law 115-48 amends 38 U.S.C. §§ 3315 to allow for the proration of entitlement charges for licensing and certification examinations and national tests under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Specifically, the charge against an individuals entitlement for payment for licensing and certification examinations and national tests will be pro-rated based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the test relative to the rate of $2,099.24 for one month. The maximum reimbursable amount for licensing and certification tests is $2000. There is no maximum reimbursable amount for national tests.
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Why Should A Veteran Choose Colorado Mountain College
Colorado Mountain College is a network of college campuses across the mountains of Colorado that offers a wide variety of degrees, certificates, classes and programs to help you obtain your educational objectives. We want to nurture the skills and trades you learned while serving so we review each application and award credits based on a Colorado Mountain College course equivalent. In addition, we offer a significant tuition discount to veterans and will help you through the process of getting the VA benefits you’ve earned.
If you choose not to live near one of our mountain locations, our online course options give you the ability to learn wherever you call home. Many courses allow you to interact with fellow students and instructors in a virtual classroom setting.
Q: Will I get credit for training I had in the military?A: Each applicant’s educational past is compared to the course offerings at Colorado Mountain College. If a course we offer corresponds with the training you received, then you will be awarded credit in most cases. Contact the for more information.
Enjoy The Ride And Congratulate Yourself
College can be an amazing experience. It is a fantastic way to assimilate yourself back into the civilian world, and you will learn a lot along the ride. You dont have to stand duty or answer to your superior. Enjoy school and get as much from it as you can.
You have successfully become a college student. Congratulations on your drive, ambition, and unwillingness to quit. Give yourself a pat on the back. Remember if you ever need help there are resources available both through the VA and your college.
Related Articles
If you are looking for post 911 GI Bill Benefits, click the link!
We also wrote a great article about the Montgomery Bill.
Our mission is to simplify themilitary transition experience using education and employment tools and resources to guide you to a successful career.
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Apply To Delgado And Schedule Your Classes
You will need to follow all of the steps required by our Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services. This includes submitting an application for admission, paying the application fee, taking a placement test, and scheduling.
Note: You can only be certified for courses that are required for graduation from Delgado Community College and it is your responsibility to assure that you are following your chosen program. It is strongly advised that you consult an academic advisor when scheduling.
Spouse And Child Benefits
41. How is child defined under the WI G.I. Bill provisions?
For the purposes of the WI G.I. Bill, the UW System has chosen to use the definitions outlined in Wis. Stats. §45.01, which define a child as any biological child, any adopted child, any stepchild, or any other child who is a member of the veterans household, or any non-marital child if the veteran acknowledges paternity or paternity has been otherwise established.
42. What documentation is necessary to prove that I am the child of an eligible veteran?
The following documentation in addition to providing your own government issued photo I.D. demonstrates that a student applicant is a child of an eligible veteran.
- Biological Child: A copy of the students Birth Certificate or similar official documents that identify parentage.
- Adopted Child: A copy of the students Adoption Certificate.
- Stepchild: A copy of the students Birth Certificate and a Marriage License that demonstrates the eligible veteran has married a biological parent of the student, or a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for Federal VA benefits that indicates recognition as a stepchild.
- Other Child Who is a Member of the Veterans Household: A copy of the veterans most recent state and federal income taxes where the student is listed as a dependent and the students permanent address is the same as the veterans household address.
- Non-marital Child: A copy of a certificate of paternity.
Yes. Photocopies are fine.
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Veterans: 5 Ways To Maximize Your Gi Bill Benefits
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If youre a veteran, the GI Bill can be your ticket to a debt-free college education. Thats huge, given about 83% of 2020 graduates who left school with a bachelors degree also carried student loan debt, with an average of $36,140 per borrower, according to the data aggregator and analysis site education.org.
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may be eligible for 36 months not necessarily consecutive of college or career training if you served on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, and were discharged honorably or are still on active duty. Plus, you can get a monthly housing allowance and yearly book stipend for the period covered under your GI Bill. You need to serve at least 36 months on active duty or be a post-9/11 Purple Heart recipient to receive the full suite of benefits, but you can get a portion if you served less active time.
Your benefits can go far if you use them strategically. Heres how:
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Use the VAs GI Bill comparison tool to research schools before you enroll, including their graduation rates. Generally, you cant recoup your GI Bill benefits once you use them, though there may be exceptions for some school closures.