GI Bill eligibility requirements for study in a foreign school are the same as study in the United States: you must have served at least 90 days in the armed forces and received an honorable discharge. To qualify for full benefits, you must have served at least 36 months. In addition, the foreign school must be an institution of higher learning -- a college or university -- and the program you plan to study must lead to an associate's degree, bachelor's degree or higher or be equivalent to one of these degrees.
Before you enroll in a foreign school, you must determine whether it has been approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The best way to obtain this information is to check with the school itself. If the school cannot answer your question, visit the VA website and use the link labeled "Questions and Answers" to file a formal inquiry. The VA will need the name of the foreign school, its full address and the program in which you plan to enroll. If the foreign institution has not been approved, it must apply to the VA for approval on its own behalf -- you cannot apply in its place.
Make arrangements with the school for your enrollment, completing all necessary forms, as well as the VA's required forms, which are available through the VA website. Ensure that you have a passport and any other travel documents the host country requires, the necessary immunizations and any mandatory health insurance. Once all these steps have been completed, submit your application to the VA at least 90 days before your scheduled departure for the school. The address for applications is listed on the VA website.
You will be responsible for paying tuition and fees to the school, and there will be a delay between the time you enroll and begin study and the time the VA starts sending payments to you. The VA will remit all payments directly to you, not to the school, so you need to make advance preparations with the school for the method, timing and amount of payment.
If you need help with the process, visit any VA Regional Office. You can also call 1-888-GI-BILL-1 for assistance. Some representatives of the American Red Cross or your local veterans' groups may also be able to help you.