A New G.I. Bill Rewarding our Troops Rebuilding Our Country
Benefits Under the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act
This new benefit will cover the full cost of education at any public school in the country and many private schools. To qualify for the benefits, a veteran has to have served at least 90 days of active duty post-9/11 and have remaining entitlement. Only post-9/11 active duty service counts toward this benefit. Any remaining Chapter 30 or 1607 entitlement can be converted into this new education benefit. There is no requirement to buy in to qualify, and the benefits last for 15 years after separation.
This benefit discards the outdated benefits system and replaces it with a WWIIstyle GI bill that provides upfront tuition payments directly to the school, and provides a book/supply stipend of $1,000 per year and a monthly living stipend. The tuition payments can be used at any public or private school but are capped at the cost of the most expensive public school in the state. Click here for a state-by-state breakdown. However, more expensive private schools offering a veterans-only scholarship will see that scholarship matched dollar for dollar up to the full cost of tuition.
The monthly living stipend will be based on the Department of Defense Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) for that region. The stipend will be pegged to the E-5 with a dependent rate for the zip code of the school.
| Tuition | |
| Books/Supplies: | - $1,000/year paid up front and divided by academic term
|
| Monthly Living: | |
| Time to Use Benefit: | |
| Buy In: | |
Reservists will continue to receive a percentage of the active duty rate based on the length of their active duty service. However, this new benefit will allow reservists to accumulate active duty service from multiple tours (more service = higher benefits). Lastly, all reservists called to active duty will now have 15 years to use their benefits, no longer just those who have 8 years of active duty or select reserve.
| 90 Consecutive Days: | 40% (Tuition, Books/Supplies and Living Stipend) |
| 6 Cumulative Months: | 50% (Tuition, Books/Supplies and Living Stipend) |
| 12 Cumulative Months: | 60% (Tuition, Books/Supplies and Living Stipend) |
| 18 Cumulative Months: | 70% (Tuition, Books/Supplies and Living Stipend) |
| 24 Cumulative Months: | 80% (Tuition, Books/Supplies and Living Stipend) |
| 30 Cumulative Months: | 90% (Tuition, Books/Supplies and Living Stipend) |
| 36 Cumulative Months: | 100% (Tuition, Books/Supplies and Living Stipend) |
| Time to Use Benefit: | 15 years (see above) |
| Buy In: | None |
NEW G.I. BILL INFORMATION
The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or “New GI Bill” has been enacted into law. Click here a pamphlet explaining this new benefit.
We have developed several Frequently Asked Questions to provide information about the major changes contained in the law. You can click here to view them.
Since the new law contains many major differences from the current Montgomery GI Bill you may wish to sign-up for e-mail alerts as new information is added.
Click here to sign-up.
INFORMATION FOR RETURNING SERVICE MEMBERS & VETERANS
The Department of Veterans Affairs has a website for returning Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve service members. Click HERE to visit that site.
Some mobilized reservists may be eligible for an extension of their benefit eligibility time period. Click HERE for more information.
Visit our Questions & Answers section to see new information on military call-up or activation. Use the “Search” feature to see all questions and answers or click on the following links to view benefit specific questions.
Liked this story? Get top stories in your inbox each week from Veterans Today ! Sign up now !
