Post 9/11 GI: What is it and are you eligible?

Are you looking to go to college? Trying to get a Bachelor’s or a Master’s? Trying to learn a job-related skill? If you’ve served in the military for at least 90 days after September 10, 2001, this post may have some good news for you.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill was designed to replace the Montgomery GI Bill which was applicable to those who served prior to September 11, 2001. The program will cover up to 36 months of school or training and can be used for programs such as degrees, correspondence course, flight training, and licensing and certification. If you think your program may be eligible, check here.

If you were released from active duty prior to January 1, 2013, there is a 15 year time limit for use of your benefits. That benefit was removed for those who are/were released after that time period.

What exactly do your benefits entail? You get full tuition paid to the school you choose if it is a public school. If your school is private, tuition is capped at the national maximum ($18,077.50 per year). With private schools, however, you can use the yellow ribbon program to cover additional expenses. Additionally, you receive a monthly housing allowance (E5 with dependents rate) based on the zip code in which your primary campus is located and a book stipend. Some individuals may be eligible for a one time rural benefit payment as well.

You are not eligible for the program in full after 90 days of service, however. The program pays out based on your time in service. The percentage of the program you obtain is shown in the picture below based on how long you have served.

For those of you who commissioned from USMA or ROTC, the program is based on your time after initial commitment. For example, if you commissioned from USMA and served 5 years and 90 days, you are eligible for 40% of the post 9/11 GI bill. The benefits are also transferrable. We will discuss specifics on transferring benefits to family and give some examples in our next post. $