GI Bill
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Applying for Benefits
You will need to apply for these benefits through the VA website in order to use the GI Bill. When applying you will need:
- Social Security number
- Bank account direct deposit information
- Education and military history
- Basic information about the school or training facility you want to attend or are attending now
You can expect the VA to process this education claim in about 30 days.
To learn more about your GI Bill benefits and to apply, please visit:
Transfer of Benefits
You may be able to transfer education benefits if you are on active duty or in the Selected Reserve and you meet the following criteria:
- You've completed at least 6 years of service on the date your request is approved, and
- You agree to add 4 more years of service, and
- The person getting benefits has enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)
To transfer the benefits, you will need to request a Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) through milConnect
GI Bill Comparison
Post 9/11 GI Bill | Montgomery GI Bill | |
---|---|---|
When Do I Qualify? | 90 days active aggregate service (after 9/10/01) or 30 days continuous if discharged for disability | 2 yr. continuous enlistment (minimum duty varies by service, date, branch, etc.) |
Maximum # of Benefits | 36 months | 36 months |
Tuition | 100% In-State Public Schools Out-of-State/ Private School Max $28,937.09** | Full Time $2438.00/ month** ¾ Time $1828.50 / month ½ Time $1219.00 / month |
Military Housing Allowance (MHA) | E-5 with dependents (full time) OHA Rate for school location Online Only $1,177.50 Foreign School $2,355 | None |
Books & Supplies Stipend | $1000 | None |
How Payments are Made | Tuition: Paid to school Housing stipend: Paid monthly to student Books & Supplies: Paid to student at the beginning of the term | Paid to student |
Duration of Benefits | If your release from active duty was before January 1, 2013, there is a 15-year time limitation for use of benefits. For individuals whose last discharge date is on or after January 1. 2013, the time limitation has been removed. | Generally 10 years from last day of active duty |
Transferable | Yes | No |
Yellow Ribbon Program | Yes | No |
Degree Training | Yes | Yes |
Non-College Training | Yes | Yes |
On-the-Job & Apprenticeship Training | Yes | Yes |
Flight Training | Yes (Max $16,535.46) | Yes |
Correspondence Courses | Yes (Max $14,055.13) | Yes |
Licensing & Certification | Yes | Yes |
National Testing Programs | Yes | Yes |
Work-Study Programs | Yes | Yes |
Tutorial Assistance | Yes $100/month, $1200 Max | Yes, after $600 it affects your entitlement |
GI Bill Comparison Tool
The GI Bill comparison tool is a useful resource to compare your education benefits at different universities.
Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon Program can help you pay for higher out-of-state, private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition and fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover.
GI Bill Questions?
For general questions about your GI Bill benefits you can call the GI Bill Hotline at 888-442-4551.
You can also reach out to MCRD’s VA/GI Bill Representative, Robert Hill for more information at robert.hill6@va.gov or 619-929-3741.