Who's Eligible:
Veterans who have served a minimum of 90 days active duty since September 10, 2001 and have received an honorable discharge qualify for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. If your service is between 90 days and 36 months you will receive a percentage of the benefits between 40-90%, depending on how long you've served. If you have 36 months or more total since 9/11 you will qualify for full 100% benefits on qualifying education. Alternately, if you've been discharged due to a service-related disability and have at least 30 continuous days on active duty, you qualify for 100%. Even if you were ROTC or attended a service academy and were thus ineligible for the Montgomery GI Bill, you are now eligible for the new bill (but your active duty clock toward the 90 days to 36 months doesn't start until you've completed the initial service obligation for your program).
When You Can Apply:
Unfortunately, not yet. The VA will not accept applications at this time. The New Post 9/11 GI Bill will not go into effect until August 1, 2009. No benefits will be retroactive for training/classes performed before August 1st. The VA website states, "you should check the GI Bill website regularly...to determine when VA will begin accepting Post-9/11 GI Bill applications."
VA GI Bill website: http://www.gibill.va.gov/
What the Bill Covers:
The new Post-9/11 GI Bill includes up to 36 months of undergraduate and graduate degree training, and vocational/technical training. All training programs must be offered by an "institution of higher learning" and approved for GI Bill benefits. In addition, tutorial assistance and licensing and certification tests are approved for reimbursement.
How Much Money Are We Talking?:
Depending on your total time active duty as discussed in step one, the benefits available include the following.
- The cost of tuition and fees (but no more than the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public school in the state where you're attending classes). This benefit is paid directly to the school.
- A Stipend of up to $1000 per year for books and supplies. This benefit is paid to you.
- A Monthly Housing Allowance. Regardless of your rank, this will be equal to the current basic allowance for housing (BAH) payable to an E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as your school. This benefit is also paid to you, but only applicable if you are attending school full-time.
How Long a Member is Eligible:
You will be eligible for benefits from the New Post-9/11 GI Bill for 15 years from your discharge date.
More questions?:
The GI Bill page on the VA website is continuously being updated. They have a link to a .pdf brochure that covers the basics, as well as a FAQ section that covers a lot of useful information. If you log on to the site, you can also sign up for notifications of updates to the program to include when the VA will start accepting applications for benefits.