Post-9/11 GI Bill | Benefits, Rates and Eligibility

Rates on this page are for August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027. The VA updates Post-9/11 GI Bill rates every August. See the VA's current rates.

The GI Bill is a series of programs run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help military personnel and their families pay for continuing education and career training. The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), signed into law in 2008 and expanded by the 2017 Forever GI Bill, is the most comprehensive GI Bill available today. It provides education benefits for service members who have served at least 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers much more than tuition. Depending on your service length, it can partially or fully cover housing, books and supplies, IT certification exam fees, tutoring and more.

GI Bill Approved Schools

Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Key Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits include:

Tuition and fees: At public colleges and universities, the GI Bill pays the full net in-state tuition and mandatory fees. At private and foreign schools, it pays up to $30,908.34 per academic year. The Yellow Ribbon Program can help cover costs above that cap. Tuition is paid directly to your school.
Monthly housing allowance: If you attend in person more than half time, your housing allowance is based on the military Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents at your school's ZIP code. Online-only students receive up to $1,261 per month.
Books and supplies: Up to $1,000 per academic year, paid at $41.67 per credit hour for up to 24 credits.
Certification test fees: Up to $2,000 for qualifying licensing and certification tests, which can include many IT certifications.
Tutoring: Up to $100 per month, and up to $1,200 total, if you're struggling with coursework.
Rural relocation: A one-time $500 payment if you live in a highly rural county and must move at least 500 miles, or travel by air, to attend school.
Transfer to family: Service members with at least 6 years of service who agree to serve 4 more years can transfer unused benefits to a spouse or children. Transfers must be requested while you're still serving; you can't transfer benefits after you separate.
Combining GI Bills: Veterans eligible for both the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill may be able to use up to 48 months of combined benefits.

You qualify for 100% of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits if you served at least 36 months (1,095 days) on active duty, received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, or served at least 30 continuous days and were discharged for a service-connected disability. With less than 36 months of service, you qualify for 50% to 90% of the full benefit, depending on how long you served.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you must:

Serve at least 90 days of active duty after September 10, 2001, or
Serve at least 30 continuous days of active duty after September 10, 2001, and be discharged due to a service-connected disability.

Periods of active duty service under the following conditions are excluded from the Post-9/11 GI Bill:

Active Guard Reserve (AGR) (Title 32);
ROTC under 10 U.S.C. 2107(b);
Service academy contract period;
Service terminated due to defective enlistment agreement;
Service used for loan repayment; and
Selected reserve service used to establish eligibility under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB chapter 30), MGIB for Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR Chapter 1606), or the Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP chapter 1607).

Post-9/11 GI Bill Expiration Date

If your active duty service ended on or after January 1, 2013: Your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits don't expire, thanks to the Forever GI Bill.
If your active duty service ended before January 1, 2013: You have 15 years from your last discharge date to use your benefits.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Approved Training Schools

Browse top-reviewed universities and computer schools offering programs that qualify for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits. Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits can be used toward computer education programs in a range of formats:

Post-9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program helps you cover out-of-pocket tuition and fees that exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill's annual cap at private, foreign and out-of-state schools. Participating schools contribute additional funding, and the VA matches it. Learn more about the Yellow Ribbon Program from the VA.

How to Apply

Apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill online at VA.gov.