Most, but not all, educational avenues are covered by the GI Bill. GED or high school level education is not covered. Degree programs for Associate, Bachelor or Graduate degrees at accredited colleges or universities are covered under the post 9/11 Bill. Other forms of training for trades or other professions may be available under other classifications of veterans' training if you are eligible.
Based upon the career track you intend to pursue, you must research and review the colleges that offer coursework and degrees to meet your career goal. If your decision centers on location, you need to make online visits to colleges that fall within the area where you wish to pursue your studies. Most search engines provide websites for colleges. Visit each website to determine the cost of coursework per unit, anticipated book and lab costs and available housing for veterans under the GI Bill. Determine the fees for in-state and out-of-state tuition. It is critical that you know the cost of living for each school that you consider. It will cost more to live near big city schools than it will for schools in smaller cities.
Benefits applicable to each school you may consider are based upon zip codes for the area in which the school is located. A benefits estimator on the GI Bill site will help you calculate the total cost to attend a college in a given area based upon the number of active duty days served post 9/11. The benefits range from 40 percent of the cost for 90 days of service to 100 percent for more than 1,095 days of service post 9/11.
Perhaps the hardest part of obtaining funds under a GI Bill is the paperwork involved. Dates of completed service and your status in the military determine the level of benefits available to you as a veteran or active duty service person. Every college will require a copy of your high school transcripts to determine your eligibility for admission. You can obtain copies of your high school transcript by writing your high school and requesting copies. Be sure to enclose a copy of your driver's license or other picture form of ID. If you are a discharged veteran, you will need a copy of your separation document DD-214 and a copy of your Discharge Certificate.
When you have completed your research, selected one or more schools to attend, done some cost calculations and determined benefits and eligibility, it is time to apply for GI Bill benefits. You can do this on the Veterans Benefits Administration website. Applications can be filed directly with your regional Veterans Affairs office using VA Form 22-1990 obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs.