The Post 9-11 G.I Bill and You!

There’s a brand new Post-9/11 GI Bill many eligible service members have not heard of. Looking to further your higher education? Are you a veteran with at least 90 days of service at this point? This is the measure, passed on August 1, 2009, that is going to help you do just that. Veterans who have served and continue to serve their country and their country have responded, passing the greatest increase in veteran benefits since the first GI bill passed after World War II.

Veteran education is now encouraged, with further financial assistance for the pricier schools, a monthly stipend for housing, and the ability to potentially transfer benefits to members of the veteran’s family. All of the benefits are present after 36 months of duty. Researching the ins and outs of this new bill is what the team at Education Connection has done and we are here to help you get the most for your military education online. 

Who Is Eligible?

Active duty service on or after September 10, 2009, by military members for a minimum of 90 collective days starts the determination. This amount of time provides eligibility for forty percent of the benefit – the minimum amount – with one hundred percent of the benefit – the maximum – available after 36 months of service. With varying amounts of service, others will fit into this benefit plan at different levels. There is one important distinction, however, and this involves veterans who were discharged related to a service-connected disability. These vets receive one hundred percent of the benefit, with at least 30 continuous days of prior active duty. 

Coverage: Tuition and fees are capped at the highest in-state tuition rate for the state (where the school is located) as delineated by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. It also provides an annual book and supply stipend for most veterans up to $1,000. 

Important Provisions: Rural students who relocate to attend school may be eligible for a $500 one-time relocation allowance. Additionally, the Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP) may be available for veterans who wish to attend a school that has a higher tuition than that allowed as the highest in-state rate. This special funding has some provisions also, in that the college must participate in YRP and the veteran must submit an application for this special benefit. 

Monthly Housing Stipend: Eligible veterans will receive a monthly stipend equal to the E-5 with dependents BAH rate for the zip code in which the school is located. To be eligible, the veteran must study on a more-than-half-time basis, and the program must include some level of in-residence study (100% online school programs are not eligible). 

Transfer Of Benefits: Veterans with families will appreciate how the Department of Defense has considered dependents in their determinations.  On or after August 1, 2009, if a veteran has served a minimum of six years in the Armed Forces and agrees to serve at least another four years, a spouse may have unused entitlement transferred for their use. After a veteran’s ten year anniversary, there is the opportunity for any dependent (children and/or spouse) to receive the benefit, such as military dependent scholarships. 

How you proceed with your education and the career path you undertake means understanding how the innovative opportunities afforded by the Post-9/11 GI Bill affect you. Not only can you get help financing your education, but those of your spouse and children as well. Obtaining the maximum applicable benefits is where Education Connection steps in, with information, exploration, and guidance for your specific course. Our Finance Center will aid you in person or over the phone in charting the future of your veteran education.

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