You qualify for military education benefits under the revised GI Bill if you are working on an associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree from an accredited college or university. Benefits from the GI Bill are also paid towards flight training, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and some non-degree programs offered through accredited higher learning institutions. If you take online classes only, you receive tuition benefits but not full housing benefits. If you need to complete your GED before pursuing a college degree, the GI Bill will not cover those costs.
Under the revised Post-9/11 GI Bill, all of the fees and in-state tuition for state universities and colleges are covered. For out-of-state or private institutions, the maximum tuition coverage will be capped at $17,500 per year. These maximums go into effect in August 2011. Prior to that time, the maximum tuition benefit equals the highest in-state tuition for a public university in your state. You may also be entitled to up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies and a $500 one-time relocation payment if you need to move from a rural area to attend college. To receive the monthly housing benefit, you must attend at least one course on campus. If you choose only online classes, you will be eligible for half of the housing benefit as of October 2011. Before that date, no housing benefits are paid for online-only education programs.
Under the original Montgomery GI Bill, you can receive education benefits after serving at least two years in active duty. You are eligible for benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill if you have served at least 90 days of active duty since September 11, 2001. To receive full benefits through this bill, you need to serve at least 36 months, or 30 months if you are discharged due to a disability related to your service.
The Yellow Ribbon Program offers a way for you to attend a more expensive college without having to incur out-of-pocket tuition expenses. Under the program, the school can enter into an agreement with the Veteran's Administration (VA). The school agrees to pay half of the tuition above the maximum amount paid in military education benefits, and the VA pays the other half. For example, if the tuition is $20,000 and the maximum paid benefit is $17,500, the school would agree to pay $1,250 and the VA would pay the remaining $1,250.