Post 9/11 GI Bill

Chapter 33

Post 9/11 GI Bill

For approved programs, the Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits.

If your release from active duty was before January 1, 2013, there is a 15-year time limitation for the use of benefits. For individuals whose last discharge date is on or after January 1, 2013, the time limitation has been removed.

You can receive up to 36 months of benefits, including

• Tuition and fees. If you qualify for the maximum benefit, we'll cover the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees. We cap the rates for private and foreign schools and update those rates each year.
• Money for housing (if you're in school more than half time). We'll base your monthly housing allowance on the cost of living where your school is located.
• Money for books and supplies. You can receive up to $1,000 per school year.
• Money to help you move from a rural area to go to school. You may qualify for this one-time payment of $500 if you live in a county with 6 or fewer people per square mile and you're either moving at least 500 miles to go to school or have no other option but to fly by plane to get to your school.

Expiration of Benefits

This depends on when you were discharged from active duty.

If your service ended before January 1, 2013, your Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits will expire 15 years after your last separation date from active service. You must use all of your benefits by that time or you'll lose whatever's left.

If your service ended on or after January 1, 2013, your benefits won't expire thanks to a new law called the Forever GI Bill - Harry W Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act. Some letters you receive from us may not yet reflect this change. Thank you for your patience as we work to update our systems.

Learn more about this new law.

Get more information on The Post 9/11