The various GI Bills are available for many different types of Education Programs. Here is a detailed listing of the programs available.
Free education and vocational counseling services are available to servicemembers and veterans, for more information click here.
Various education pursuits are only available under specific GI Bill programs, you should ensure the education program you wish to enroll in will be qualified for reimbursement under the GI Bill you are eligible for. For more information see the comparison chart here or detailed information here.For the Post-9/11 GI Bill specific rules apply, for details see the comparison chart here. You may be eligible for certain programs of education if you have eligibility under another GI Bill benefit besides the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Available under all programs
Benefits are available for attendance at IHLs such as:
Four Year UniversitiesCommunity CollegesAdvanced Degree ProgramsPayment is based on the number of classes you attend:
12 hours or more - fulltime9 - 11 hours - ¾ time6 - 8 hours - ½ timeless than 6 hours - reimbursed at a rate not to exceed the tuition & fees charged for the course(s).For graduate level training, the training time is determined by the college - for example, if a 2 hour class is considered full time in a graduate program at your school, the VA will pay you the full time rate. For current payment rates see HERE.
The GI Bill will allow you to attend more than one college at a time, as long as the classes at both institutions count towards your degree, and the school granting your degree accepts the classes at the second school as part of your requirements. However, the GI Bill will not pay you to take the same classes twice unless you receive a failing grade in a class that is a graduation requirement.
The GI Bill can pay you for more than one degree, for example: it will pay you for a degree in Business and then for a second degree in Computer Science, or for an AA, BA, MA in the same field. Once you have a degree, you could pursue another one provided you have remaining entitlement on your GI Bill.
Payments are issued monthly in arrears (for example - you receive the November payment in December.) For the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the tuition & fees are paid directly to the school, the book stipend is paid to you at the beginning of the term, and the housing allowance is paid to you at the end of each month.
Back to Top Not available under the Post-9/11 GI Bill
The GI Bill is available for training at Non-College-Degree Institutions, examples of this type of training are diploma vocational schools such as:
HVAC CertificationTruck DrivingEMT CertificationBarber/Beautician SchoolThe monthly entitlement is based on the number of clock hours you attend training during each week of the month.
Payments are issued monthly in arrears (for example - you receive the November payment in December.)
Back to Top Not available under the Post-9/11 GI Bill
The GI Bill is available for On-the-Job or Apprenticeship Training. Examples of this type of training are:
Union PlumberHotel ManagementFirefighterVA will reimburse you at the following rate:
75% of the full-time GI Bill rate for the 1st six months55% of the full-time GI Bill rate for the 2nd six months35% of the full-time GI Bill rate for the remainder of the training programYou may also receive a salary from your employer during the training.
Payments are issued monthly in arrears (for example - you receive the November payment in December.)
Back to Top Not available under the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Dependents Education Assistance program
This benefit is available for Flight Training such as:
Rotary wing qualificationB747-400 QualificationDual QualificationIn order to qualify, you must have a private pilot's license and valid medical certification before beginning training. VA will reimburse you for 60% of the approved charges.
Payments are issued after the training is completed and the school submits information to the VA.
Back to Top Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you must be enrolled in at least one classroom course to receive the housing allowance
The GI Bill is available for Independent, Distance or Internet training. This type of training is usually offered by IHLs and similar rules & rates apply.
Back to Top Not available under the Post-9/11 GI Bill or for children training under the Dependents Education Assistance program
The GI Bill is available for Correspondence Training, this type of training differs from Distance Learning by the means of delivery. Usually in Correspondence Training you receive lessons in the mail and have a certain amount of time to complete and return them for a grade. VA will reimburse you 55% of the approved costs for this type of training.
Payments are made quarterly after the lessons are completed.
Back to Top Not available under the Post-9/11 GI Bill
General Information
Section 106 of PL 108-454 allows VA to reimburse claimants for the fee charged for:
national tests for admission to institutions of higher learning andnational tests providing an opportunity for course credit at institutions of higher learning.Examples of tests covered are SAT, GRE, CLEP, GMAT, LSAT, etc.
Back to Top Available under all programs
Questions and Answers or Search for Tests
Pamphlet
You can receive reimbursement for licensing and certification tests you take on or after March 1, 2001. (MGIB-AD, VEAP & DEA beneficiaries only.) Effective January 6, 2006 MGIB-SR & REAP participants became eligible for this program. These tests must be specifically approved for the G.I. Bill. VA can pay only for the cost of the tests, up to $2,000.00, and not other fees connected with obtaining a license or certification. VA will pay for tests even if failed. Organizations providing tests can obtain a supply of a VA Pamphlet explaining this benefit by clicking HERE.
Payment is issued after you submit proof of payment, etc. to the VA.Note: The minimum order is 50 pamphlets. If you only need one or two pamphlets, we have an Adobe Acrobat file available for downloading and printing that can be obtained by clicking HERE.
Back to Top Not available under the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Dependents Education Assistance program
General Information
Are you interested in starting your own business? Would you like to learn how to get started? Or are you a current business owner who wants to learn how to boost your small business operation? As a service member or veteran you now have an opportunity to use your education benefits to learn how to start or enhance a small business. VA only pays for programs offered by SBCD or Veterans Corporation.
Back to Top Available under all programs
Information
This program is available to any student receiving VA education benefits who is attending school three-quarter time or more. An individual working under this program may work at the school veterans' office, VA Regional Office, VA Medical Facilities, or at approved State employment offices. Work-study students are paid at either the state or Federal minimum wage, which ever is greater. If you have questions on this program contact our toll-free number 1-888-442-4551.
Back to Top Not available under the Post-9/11 GI Bill
you can attend classes in the morning and work in the afternoonyou can attend classes at night and work during the dayyou can attend full time during one semester and work full-time during another semester, etc.Co-op training allows you to attend school and gain valuable work experience at the same time! Some schools partner with employers allowing you to attend classes in your desired field, i.e. Computer Programming, and work for an employer in that field as well.
There are several different scenarios:
You will receive GI Bill benefits at the full-time rate during the entire period.
Please contact your school or employer for more information.
Back to Top Not available under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Dependents Education Assistance program, or VEAP
General Information
An accelerated payment is a lump sum payment of 60% of tuition and fees for certain high cost, high tech programs. To qualify, you must be enrolled in a high tech program and you must certify that you intend to seek employment in a high tech industry as defined by VA. Accelerated payment is paid instead of GI Bill benefits that you would otherwise receive.
Public Law 110-181, authorized an accelerated payment option for Reserve GI Bill & REAP recipients effective October 1, 2008. Accelerated payments under this program may only be made to reservists pursing a program of education lasting 2 years or less that does not lead to a degree (i.e. bachelor’s, masters, etc.). Additionally, the tuition and fees must exceed 200% of the monthly amount of educational assistance that he or she would otherwise be eligible to receive during the certified period of enrollment.
For more information click HERE.
Back to Top Not available under the Montgomery GI Bill-Reserves, REAP, Dependents Education Assistance Program, or VEAP
General Information
On October 30, 2000, the President signed into law an amendment to the Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty education program that permits VA to pay a Tuition Assistance Top- up benefit. The amount of the benefit can be equal to the difference between the total cost of a college course and the amount of Tuition Assistance that is paid by the military for the course.
Back to Top Not available under REAP
Tutorial assistance is available if you are receiving VA educational assistance at the half-time or more rate and have a deficiency in a subject making tutoring necessary. If you have questions on this program please contact our toll-free number 1-888-442-4551.
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