Navigating the Post-9/11 GI Bill: Eligibility and Benefits Explained

The Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as Chapter 33, stands as a cornerstone of educational support for veterans and their families. Designed to ease the financial burden of pursuing higher education or job training, this comprehensive program offers a range of benefits tailored to the needs of eligible service members. This article delves into the eligibility requirements, benefits, and key considerations for those seeking to utilize this valuable resource.

Understanding the Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33 benefits) is an education benefit program specifically for military members who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. It provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or for individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.

In July 2008 the Post-9/11 GI Bill was signed into law, creating a new robust education benefits program rivaling the WWII-Era GI Bill of Rights. The new Post-9/11 GI Bill, which went into effect on August 1, 2009, provides education benefits for service members who served on active duty for 90 or more days since September 10, 2001. The Department of Veterans Affairs is currently accepting applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Once the VA receives applications, applicants' eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill is determined and applicants are issued a Certificate of Eligibility. Veterans must apply using the VA Form 22-1990, which includes the instructions needed to begin the application process. The New Post-9/11 GI Bill offers a new set of benefits for service members and veterans attending education and training programs taken at an accredited college or university.

Eligibility Criteria: Who Qualifies?

To be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, service members must meet certain requirements based on their active duty service. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

General Eligibility:

You may be eligible if you served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after September 10, 2001, and you are still on active duty or:

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Honorably discharged from the active duty
Released from active duty and placed on the retired list or temporary disability retired list
Relates from active duty and transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve
Released from the active duty for further service in a reserve component of the Armed Forces.

You may also be eligible if you were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001.

Specific Scenarios:

If any of these are true, you may be eligible for benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33):

You served on active duty for at least 90 days after September 10, 2001, whether continuous (all at once) or interrupted (for shorter periods over time), or
You served for at least 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001, and were discharged because of a service-connected disability, or
You received a Purple Heart after September 10, 2001

Non-Qualifying Service:

Yes. Some periods of service are non-qualifying. A service member is eligible if they have served a minimum of 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001. However, some periods of active duty service are excluded.

Benefit Duration:

Service members are eligible for up to 36 months of entitlement. If you have 2 or more qualifying periods of active duty, you may now qualify for up to 48 months of entitlement. Generally, if you’re eligible for more than 1 education benefit, you may be able to get up to a maximum of 48 months (or 4 years) of VA education benefits. This doesn’t include Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits (Chapter 31).

Time Limit:

If service member’s last discharge was before January 1, 2013, can use the benefit for up to 15 years after the last separation from active duty. If the service member’s last discharge is after January 1, 2013, there is no time limit to use benefits.

Benefits are available for up to 15 years from a service member's last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days. Service members released from active duty due to a service-connected disability after 30 days or more of continuous service are also eligible for benefits for 15 years.

Scope of Approved Training Programs

Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes both undergraduate and graduate degrees, vocational/technical training, on-the-job training, flight training, correspondence training, licensing and national testing program, entrepreneurship training, and tutorial assistance. You can use your benefits in many ways. For example, you can earn a degree, diploma, or certificate, or you can use your benefits for on-the-job training and apprenticeships.

Key Benefits Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support veterans in their educational pursuits. These benefits include:

Tuition and Fees: The program covers the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public schools for those eligible for the maximum benefit. The maximum basic benefit of the Post-9/11 GI Bill is available to service members that serve an aggregate of 36 months or more of active duty service or 30 continuous days of active service and honorably discharged for a service-connected disability after September 10, 2001. Full tuition & fees directly to the school for all public school in-state students.
Housing Allowance: A monthly housing allowance (MHA) is provided to students enrolled at more than half-time, based on the location of the school. As an eligible veteran or member of the National Guard or Selected Reserve, a service member may receive a monthly housing allowance (living stipend) based on the ZIP code of the location of the school they are attending - not a veteran's home ZIP code. This stipend is based on the DoD's Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. The zip code to be used is 19607 (Alvernia University's zip code).
Books and Supplies Stipend: An annual stipend is available for books and supplies, with the maximum being $1,000 per year for those with 100% eligibility. A service member may receive an annual book stipend of up to $1,000 if they are a veteran or member of the Guard or Selected Reserve. This stipend will be paid at the beginning of each term.
Yellow Ribbon Program: This program helps cover tuition costs that exceed the standard Post-9/11 GI Bill limits at participating private and out-of-state institutions. The Yellow Ribbon Program provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill only applies to those service members that are entitled to the maximum benefit rate. This provision is an agreement between institutions of higher learning (IHL) and the VA to fund tuition costs above the highest tuition rate of $29,920.95 effective August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026. For service members enrolled in eligible IHLs the VA will pay all resident tuition & fees for a public school and the higher of the actual tuition & fees or $29,920.95 effective August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026. for a private school.

Additional Benefits:

Rural Relocation Benefit: A one-time payment of $500 may be available to help cover the cost of relocating from a rural location to attend school. A veteran may also receive a one-time rural relocation benefit payment of $500.00 to help cover the cost of relocating from a rural location to attend school.
Flight Training: As of October 1, 2011, The Post-9/11 GI Bill will now pay for flight training.
Work Study: Our work-study program can help you earn money while you’re enrolled in a college, vocational school, or professional training program.
Tutorial assistance: If you’re struggling with the coursework, we may help you pay for a tutor.
National exams: We’ll pay you back for the costs of national tests.
Licensing and certification tests and prep courses: We’ll pay you back for the costs of certain licensing and certification tests and preparatory courses (also called “prep courses”).

Payment Structure and Benefit Levels

The amount of benefits received under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is determined by the length of active duty service performed after September 10, 2001. All Post 9/11 GI Bill benefit payments are based on the amount of creditable active-duty service each veteran has since Sept. 10, 2001. The payment rates are based on a tier chart which is based on the total amount of Title 10 Active Duty performed since Sept. 11, 2001.

Eligibility Tiers:

At least 36 months of AD: 100%
At least 30 continuous days and discharged due to service-connected disability: 100%
At least 30 months < 36 months of AD: 90 %
At least 24 months < 30 months of AD: 80%
At least 18 months < 24 months of AD: 70%
At least 12 months < 18 months of AD: 60%
At lease 6 months < 12 months of AD: 50%
At least 90 days < 6 months of AD: 40 %

Payments Include:

Payment of Tuition & Fees - this payment is sent on behalf of the veteran student to the school.
Payment of Books & Supplies - this payment is sent to the student, and is based on the number of credits in which the veteran student is enrolled. The maximum is $1,000 per year for 100% eligibility.
Payment of Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) - this payment is sent to the student monthly.

*NOTE: The housing allowance and stipend for books and supplies are not paid to individuals still on active duty or those pursuing training at half time or less; individuals enrolled in distance learning receive the books and supplies stipend but do not receive the housing allowance. Individuals who first use Post-9/11 GI Bill program on or after January 1, 2018, will receive monthly housing allowance based on DoD’s reduced basic housing allowance (BAH) for monthly housing rates.

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Changes Introduced by the Forever GI Bill

In 2017 the President signed into law the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act also known as the “Forever GI Bill,” which brought significant changes to Veterans education benefits. Key provisions of the Forever GI Bill include:

Elimination of Time Limit: For those whose last discharge was after January 1, 2013, the 15-year time limit to use benefits was eliminated.
Expanded Benefit Levels: The act eliminated the 40% benefit level and expanded the 60% benefit level. An individual with aggregate service of 90 days but less than six months of active-duty service (excluding entry and skill training) now qualifies at the 50% benefit level. An individual with aggregate service of at least six months but less than eighteen months of active-duty service (excluding entry and skill training) now qualifies at the 60% benefit level. This removes the 40% benefit level.
Restoration of Benefits: VA is now authorized to restore benefits and provide relief to education beneficiaries affected by school closures or certain disapprovals. This provision went into effect November 14, 2017 (90 days after August 16) and applies to courses and programs of education discontinued after August 1, 2015. VA may also continue awarding a monthly housing allowance stipend under the Post-9/11 GI Bill program following a permanent school closure or certain disapproval of a course of study.

Transferring Benefits to Family Members

This education benefit, unlike previous GI Bill versions, can be transferred to immediate family members. The Department of Defense (DoD) is authorized to allow individuals who, on or after August 1, 2009, have served at least 6 years in the Armed Forces, and who agree to serve at least another 4 years in the Armed Forces to transfer unused entitlement to their Spouse. Once the member has reached their 10-year anniversary they may choose to transfer the benefit to any dependent(s) (spouse, children). VA Form 22-1990e should only be completed and submitted to VA by the family member after DoD has approved the request for TEB.

Interaction with Other GI Bill Programs

If service members are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve, or Reserve Educational Assistance Program AND qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill they may make an irrevocable election to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. After transferring, service members are not eligible to receive benefits under the program from which they transferred. Individuals transferring from the Montgomery GI Bill (chapter 30) will receive a refund of a proportional amount (based on the number of months remaining under MGIB at the time of Post-9/11 election) of their basic $1,200 contribution. This refund will be included in the last monthly housing allowance payment when Post9/11 (Chapter 33) entitlement exhausts. Those who do not exhaust entitlements under the Post-9/11 GI Bill will not receive a refund.

Choosing Between GI Bill Programs:

Note: If you have only 1 period of service that begins on or after August 1, 2011, and you qualify for other VA education benefits, you can use only 1 education benefit. You’ll have to choose which education benefit you’d like to use.

For example, if you choose to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill instead of the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD, or Chapter 30), you can’t switch at some later date to use MGIB-AD. If you decide to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill, we’ll refund you part or all of the payments you made into MGIB-AD.

You can use only 1 education benefit. You’ll have to choose which education benefit you’d like to use. Once you make that choice, you give up the right to use the other benefit.

If you choose to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you can’t switch at a later date to use one of these other education benefits instead:

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD or Chapter 30)
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR or Chapter 1606)

Note: It’s also true that if you choose to use MGIB-AD or MGIB-SR, you can’t switch at a later date to use Post-9/11 Bill benefits. If you decide to use Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and you use up all your entitlement for that benefit, we’ll refund you part or all of the payments you made into MGIB-AD.

You can use MGIB-AD or MGIB-SR benefits and then switch to use Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. This is how your decision to switch affects your benefits:

You give up the right to use your MGIB-AD or MGIB-SR benefits, and
If you switch from using MGIB-AD to using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, you can use only your remaining entitlement from MGIB-AD when you start using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Example: If you have 6 months of MGIB-AD entitlement left when you switch, you’ll have 6 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to use.

You can’t switch from using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to using MGIB-AD or MGIB-SR.

If you’ve completed 2 or more qualifying periods of active duty

You may qualify for a maximum of 48 months of benefits if you’re eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and MGIB-AD benefits.

Recent changes under the Rudisill decision

If you gave up MGIB-AD benefits when you switched to Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, you may now qualify for up to 12 months of additional MGIB-AD benefits. If you’re currently using MGIB-AD benefits and you switch to Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, you’re no longer restricted to your remaining MGIB-AD entitlement.

Note: We consider any reenlistment a separate period of active duty. But an extension isn’t a separate period of active duty. Learn more about how the Rudisill decision affects you

How to get additional entitlement if you’re eligible

If you last received an education claim decision on or after August 15, 2018, you don’t need to take any action. We will automatically review your entitlement and notify you if there are changes.

If you last received an education claim decision before August 15, 2018, you’ll need to submit a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (VA Form 22-1995). Request additional entitlement using VA Form 22-1995

When we receive your request, we will review your entitlement and notify you if there are changes.

Note: The online version of VA Form 22-1995 will prompt you with a question about whether your request is related to the Rudisill decision.

Applying for Benefits

If you have decided to elect the Post-9/11 GI Bill® as your benefit, submit Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990). You must check the appropriate box and agree to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits in lieu of any other chapter of the GI Bill. The Department of Veterans Affairs is currently accepting applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Once the VA receives applications, applicants' eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill is determined and applicants are issued a Certificate of Eligibility. Veterans must apply using the VA Form 22-1990, which includes the instructions needed to begin the application process.

Additional Considerations

Active Duty Restrictions: *NOTE: The housing allowance and stipend for books and supplies are not paid to individuals still on active duty or those pursuing training at half time or less; individuals enrolled in distance learning receive the books and supplies stipend but do not receive the housing allowance.
School Breaks: No. In 2011, Congress passed a law that prohibits VA from paying MHA during school breaks. This includes breaks between semesters, quarters, and terms.
Homeless Veterans: Note: If you’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, we may be able to help. Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 for help 24/7.
Discharge Status: If you’ve received one of these discharge statuses, you may not be eligible for VA benefits.

There are 2 ways you can try to qualify:

Apply for a discharge upgrade

Ask for a VA Character of Discharge review

Learn about applying for a discharge upgrade and requesting a Character of Discharge review

Note: If you served honorably in one period of service, you can apply for VA benefits using that honorable characterization.

Contacting the VA for Assistance

For further information and assistance, veterans can:

Ask a question online through Ask VA.
Contact the VA through Ask VA
Call the VA at (TTY: 711).
Visit the GI Bill webpage, or you can call them at 844-698-2377. You may also use the VA online question portal.

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