Get the current Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) rates for August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. And learn about how we determine how much of the full benefit rate you can get.
Are you wondering exactly what the GI Bill will cover for your education? Maybe you’re transitioning out of military service or helping a family member navigate their benefits. I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you understand exactly what your GI Bill benefits can pay for – from tuition and books to housing and even test fees!
As a veteran myself, I know how confusing these benefits can sometimes be. Let’s break it all down in simple terms so you can make the most of what you’ve earned.
GI Bill Basics: What’s Actually Covered?
The GI Bill has been helping veterans pay for education since 1944 But what exactly will it cover? The answer depends on which GI Bill program you qualify for
- Post-9/11 GI Bill (for those who served after September 10, 2001)
- Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) (if you served at least 2 years on active duty)
- Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) (for Reserve and National Guard members)
Your benefits will vary based on which program you qualify for, how long you served, and what type of education or training you’re pursuing. Let’s look at what’s covered for different educational paths.
Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs
If you’re heading to college, the GI Bill provides significant support Here’s what you can expect
Post-9/11 GI Bill Coverage:
- Tuition and fees:
- Full resident tuition at public schools
- Up to $26,042.81 per academic year at private or foreign schools
- Monthly Housing Allowance:
- Based on ZIP code of your school (not your home)
- Averages around $1,789 monthly but can exceed $2,700 in some areas
- Online-only students receive $894.50 monthly
- Book and supply stipend:
- Up to $1,000 annually ($41 per credit hour)
- Typically paid at the beginning of each term
Montgomery GI Bill Coverage:
Payments are based on your enrollment status:
- 12+ hours (full-time)
- 9-11 hours (3/4 time)
- 6-8 hours (1/2 time)
- Less than 6 hours: reimbursed at the tuition and fees rate
One cool feature is that you can take classes at more than one college simultaneously, as long as the classes count toward your degree and the second college accepts those credits.
Vocational and Non-College Degree Programs
Not everyone wants a traditional college degree, and that’s perfectly fine! The GI Bill can help with various career training programs:
- HVAC repair
- Auto repair
- Truck driving
- Emergency Medical Technician training
- And many other vocational programs
These programs can be completed at community colleges, trade schools, or specialized training institutions. The coverage is similar to traditional college programs, with Post-9/11 GI Bill paying:
- In-state tuition and fees up to the national maximum
- Monthly housing allowance based on the school’s ZIP code
The Montgomery GI Bill coverage varies based on your program and length of active service.
High-Tech Training Through VET TEC
The VA offers a special program called Veteran Employment Through Technology Courses (VET TEC) for those interested in high-tech careers. This program covers:
- Computer software
- Computer programming
- Data processing
- Information science
- Media applications
What’s great about VET TEC is that it pays for your full-time high-tech training tuition AND provides housing money during your training. This is a fantastic option if you’re looking to break into the tech industry!
On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeships
Want to earn while you learn? The GI Bill can help with that too! You can use your benefits for on-the-job training or apprenticeship programs.
In addition to your employer’s salary, the VA will pay you benefits on a decreasing scale:
For Post-9/11 GI Bill users:
- 100% of monthly housing allowance for first 6 months
- 80% for second 6 months
- 60% for third 6 months
- 40% for fourth 6 months
- 20% for remaining training months
For other GI Bill programs:
- 75% of full-time GI Bill rate for first 6 months
- 55% for second 6 months
- 35% for the remainder of training
This is an awesome way to transition into a civilian career while still receiving financial support!
Test Fees and Certification Costs
Bet you didn’t know the GI Bill covers test fees too! This is huge for anyone needing professional certifications or entrance exams. Covered tests include:
- SAT and ACT
- LSAT, GRE, GMAT
- MCAT, DAT, PCAT, OAT
- AP and CLEP exams
- TOEFL
- DSST
- And many more!
There’s no limit to the number of tests you can take, and the VA will reimburse you for approved costs. You can even retake tests if needed for recertification or to maintain a license.
Flight Training
Always dreamed of becoming a pilot? The GI Bill has your back here too! You can use your benefits for various flight training programs, including:
- Rotary wing qualification
- B747-400 qualification
- Dual qualification
- Flight engineer training
To qualify, you’ll need a private pilot’s license and valid medical certification before starting. The coverage varies:
Post-9/11 GI Bill:
- For degree programs at public schools: up to resident in-state cost
- For degree programs at private schools: up to $26,042.81 per year
- For vocational flight training: up to $14,881.59 per year
Montgomery GI Bill:
- 60% of approved charges
Other Lesser-Known Benefits
The GI Bill covers several other options that many veterans don’t know about:
Correspondence Training
If you prefer learning from home or can’t attend classes in person, the GI Bill covers correspondence courses (mail or online). Post-9/11 users get reimbursed for actual in-state tuition costs, while other GI Bill users get 55% of approved costs.
Work-Study Opportunities
The VA’s work-study program lets you earn money while you’re in school. You’ll get paid at least the federal minimum wage (or your state’s minimum if higher) for VA-related work like processing paperwork or performing outreach.
Tuition Assistance Top-Up
This program helps active-duty members by covering the difference between military Tuition Assistance and the full cost of courses.
Tutorial Assistance
Struggling with coursework? The VA can help pay for a tutor if you’re studying at half-time or greater and have a deficiency in a subject. The monthly rate can’t exceed the tutoring cost or $100, with a maximum of $1,200.
Making the Most of Your Benefits
To maximize your GI Bill benefits, I recommend:
- Check your eligibility and remaining benefits through the VA website
- Compare programs using the GI Bill Comparison Tool
- Consider Yellow Ribbon schools if attending a private institution
- Plan your education path to ensure benefits last throughout your program
- Talk to a VA education counselor for personalized guidance
Remember, these benefits have been earned through your service – don’t leave money on the table!
Common Questions About GI Bill Coverage
How long do my benefits last?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of benefits, typically enough for a four-year degree.
Can my family use my benefits?
Yes, in some cases! The Post-9/11 GI Bill allows eligible service members to transfer unused benefits to spouses or dependent children.
What if my school costs more than the GI Bill covers?
Look into the Yellow Ribbon Program, which can help cover additional tuition costs at participating schools.
Can I use my benefits for online courses?
Absolutely! Just be aware that the housing allowance is different for online-only students.
Final Thoughts
The GI Bill is one of the most valuable benefits available to military members, veterans, and sometimes their families. Whether you’re pursuing a traditional college degree, vocational training, apprenticeship, or another educational path, your GI Bill benefits can significantly reduce or eliminate your out-of-pocket costs.
Have you started using your GI Bill benefits yet? What educational path are you considering? Whatever you choose, the GI Bill is there to help make your educational dreams more affordable and accessible!
This article was last updated on October 13, 2025, with the most current GI Bill benefit information available. Always check with the VA for the most up-to-date rates and eligibility requirements.
Monthly payments for living expenses
You may be eligible for money to help you pay for living expenses while you’re training. We base your payment on the Department of Defense’s monthly Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for an E-5 with dependents, using the zip code where your training takes place. We use the 2024 rates to calculate the monthly payment you get between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025.
We start with the BAH rate, and then we take into account these additional 3 factors to calculate your monthly payment:
How far along you are in training. As you progress in your training program, your payments (and entitlement charged to your GI Bill) decrease every 6 months. We’ll pay you a percentage of the full BAH rate based on how many months you’ve been training in your program:
- Months 1 to 6: 100% of the full BAH rate
- Months 7 to 12: 80% of the full BAH rate
- Months 13 to 18: 60% of the full BAH rate
- Months 19 to 24: 40% of the full BAH rate
- 2 years and beyond: 20% of the full BAH rate
The percentage of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits you’re eligible for (your eligibility tier). We’ll pay you a percentage of the BAH rate (called a “prorated payment”) based on how long you served on active duty and certain other factors.
How many hours you work in your training program during a month. We’ll reduce your payment for any month that you work less than 120 hours or don’t work the full month.
Note: You’ll receive your monthly payment after your employer submits your training hours for the month.
Benefit payments for on-the-job training and apprenticeships
Effective August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025
