Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) benefits are available for veterans attending community or technical colleges, four-year colleges or universities and graduate schools. The GI Bill provides tuition coverage, textbook stipends and housing allowances. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website, the GI Bill allows veterans to attend more than one college at a time as long as the primary institution accepts course credit from the other college. In addition, the courses at both colleges must fulfill requirements for the veteran's chosen degree program. However, IHL benefits do allow veterans to pursue more than one degree.
The Department of Veterans Affairs sends tuition payments directly to the institutions and the book stipend is provided to the veteran at the beginning of each academic term. Housing allowances are paid to the veteran monthly. According to the department's website, those eligible for IHL benefits can receive tuition coverage for distance education or online programs. However, those students must be enrolled in at least one traditional classroom course in order to qualify for the housing allowance.
The tuition assistance top-up is available for veterans who are eligible for Montgomery GI Bill active-duty benefits and have served for at least two years on active duty, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. This assistance program can close the gap in payment between tuition benefits provided by the department and by the military. Tuition top-up can cover any amount up to the cost remaining after the military pays for a veteran's college courses. Veterans choosing to use the tuition top-up program will have their Montgomery GI Bill benefits reduced.
The work-study program is a federal financial aid program that allows students to work, typically on campus, in exchange for grant money that can be used for educational and living expenses.
Though work-study programs are available for many college students regardless of whether they served in the military, the GI Bill does permit veterans to work in atypical settings. In addition to working in school offices, they are allowed to work for community VA agencies, veterans medical facilities and the National Cemetery Administration. According to Department of Veterans Affairs guidelines, disabled veterans receive first priority for open work-study opportunities. Those participating in the program earn federal or state minimum wage rates, whichever is higher.