The GI Bill provides education benefits to service members, veterans, and their dependents. The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) is the most generous, covering full in-state tuition, a monthly housing allowance, and a books and supplies stipend.
10 steps across 1 sections
1. Steps Process
- Determine your eligibility — Post-9/11 GI Bill requires at least 90 days of active duty service after September 10, 2001; MGIB requires at least 2 years of active duty; National Guard and Reserve m...
- Check your benefit tier — Post-9/11 GI Bill pays a percentage based on cumulative active duty time: 90 days = 50%, 6+ months = 60%, scaling up to 36+ months = 100%
- Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool — VA's online tool (va.gov) shows estimated benefits by school, including tuition coverage, housing allowance, and Yellow Ribbon participation
- Choose an approved school or training program — Must be on VA's approved list; includes colleges, trade schools, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, flight training, and correspondence courses
- Apply for benefits — Submit VA Form 22-1990 online at va.gov, by mail, or in person at a VA Regional Office; processing takes approximately 30 days
- Receive your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — Details your benefit type, entitlement months remaining, and eligibility period; share this with your school's VA certifying official
- Enroll in courses and verify enrollment — Your school certifies your enrollment to the VA each semester; you must verify attendance monthly through VA's WAVE system or text verification
- Receive payments — Tuition paid directly to the school; housing allowance (BAH rate for school's ZIP code) and book stipend ($1,000/year) paid directly to you on the first of each month
- Track remaining entitlement — Log into va.gov to check remaining months; standard entitlement is 36 months (up to 48 with the 2025 Perkins decision expansion)
- Consider additional programs — Yellow Ribbon Program covers private school tuition above the cap; VET TEC offers tech training without using GI Bill months
Common Mistakes
- Not comparing Chapter 33 vs Chapter 30
- Attending a non-approved program
- Forgetting to verify enrollment monthly
- Using benefits at a private school without Yellow Ribbon
- Taking too few credits
Pro Tips
- Online-only students receive half the national average BAH
- VET TEC does not consume GI Bill months
- Apply 90+ days before your first semester
- Use Tuition Assistance (TA) while on active duty, save GI Bill for after
- Yellow Ribbon agreements vary