10 Quick Facts About the New Post 911 GI Bill

By Terry Howell

Over the last month I have received hundreds of questions about the new GI Bill. The answers to many of these questions can be found in the form of “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs) in other places on Military.com. Instead of simply posting a link to the FAQs I have decided it may be helpful to list some basic facts that may help answer the most common questions and misunderstandings.

Note: The following facts are all subject to change. I will be sure to continually update you on any changes as they occur.

1. The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is not going away and the rules governing MGIB have not been changed.

2. If you left active duty anytime before September 11, 2001, your GI Bill benefits have not been changed and you do not qualify for the Post 911 GI Bill.

3. The new Post 911 GI Bill does not go into effect until August 1, 2009. Any classes taken before that date will be paid under the MGIB payment plan.

4. The New Post 911 GI Bill is NOT retroactive. It will only cover courses taken after July 31, 2009.

5. Using the MGIB now will not disqualify you from switching to the Post 911 GI Bill later.

6. If you elect to switch to the new Post 911 GI Bill, your remaining months of MGIB benefits will be switched to the new program.

7. Once you switch to the new Post 911 GI Bill you cannot switch back.

8. The ability to transfer your MGIB benefits has not changed. If you were unable to transfer them under the old rules (Army and Air Force) then you are still not eligible to do so.

ONLY those still in the Armed Forces will have the ability to transfer their benefits to their dependents. This means current veterans and retirees do not have the ability to transfer their benefits under the new Post 911 GI Bill. Under the new GI Bill transferred benefits will be paid in the same manner as the MGIB.

In addition, the rules for transferability are being determined by the Dept. or Defense. So stand by for more details.

9. Several factors determine how much of a benefit you will receive from the VA under the Post 911 GI Bill.
• The current in-state undergraduate (bachelors) tuition rate for the most expensive “publically operated” school in your state of enrollment.
• The number of classes or credit hours you are taking.
• The number of months you served on active duty after Sept. 11, 2001.

Here is a quick reference showing the percentage of total combined benefit eligibility based on the following periods of post 9/11 service:
• 100% - 36 or more total months
• 100% - 30 or more consecutive days with Disability related Discharge.
• 90% - 30 total months
• 80% - 24 total months
• 70% - 18 total months
• 60% - 12 total months
• 50% - six total months
• 40% - 90 or more days

Note: Each school has the authority to determine how many credits are considered full-time, three-quarter time, half-time, or part-time, etc.

10. The Post 911 GI Bill housing stipend is only payable to veterans and members of the Guard and Reserve who are taking classes on campus and are considered by the school to be three-quarter or full-time students. This means that as the law currently reads, active-duty military students, students taking less than a three-quarter load, and online (distance learning) students do not qualify for the housing stipend.
Remember, only the Dept. of Veterans Affairs can answer your person and specific benefit questions. Call them at 1-888-GIBILL-1 if you have questions about your GI Bill eligibility.

If the previous facts and past FAQs do not answer your questions, I strongly suggest that you contact the VA directly at 1-888-GIBILL-1 for assistance. They are the only resource that can answer your specific eligibility questions.

In addition, DO NOT rely on the answers given in the comments below. Although answers given may be factual at this time, there is no way to verify the credentials of any persons posting comments in the forum and many of the details are still subject to change. Call 1-888-GIBILL-1 for assistance.

About the author:
A Retired Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer, Terry completed his BS in Management and Communications using a combination of CLEP exams, credit for military service, and distance learning while on active-duty. Terry now serves as Managing Editor for the Education Channel at Military.com.

Comments

[Ted]

I retire July 31, 2009 and I can not transfer my benefits to my daugther while I have already earned my degree.

[Bill Stelljes]

This is sad, I know a SMSgt who can not exstend his service past June 1 2009, (HYT) It's a shame that you have to be on active duty 1 Aug to be able to transfer funds to your kids when the Bill was signed into action back in 2008. The ability to transfer funds should be retoactive from the date it came into effect. I hope they do so for a lot of vets who can't make it to the 1 Aug deadline.

[steveb]

E-7 retirement pay and E-7 w/dependents stipend for college. Tution paid for. Books paid for. Tutors.

WOW! They would not have to get a part time job.

For all the young sailors ready to get out and use the new GI Bill expect to get some kind of job. Your stipend will only cover your rent unless you move in with the parents. Still $1,000 (probably the aveage) doesn't go a long way.

Stay Navy and get some kind of degree while in with TA. Then give the GI Bill to your kids. Just some advice.

[Bruce]

24 years (E-7) vs. 4 years (E-3) of equal service.

I am sorry but the E-7 who does 24 years deserves better benefits than a (E-3) who only served 4.

It is not being SELFISH as one person (probably someone with only a few months in)stated but makes for a great incentive for someone to make rank before they get out.

The new GI Bill is free and when a E-3 gets out after four years they should be grateful. Most of the senior invested 1200 dollars and will not really get much more out of it than someone who did not invest.

Sadly, there are only a few sailors who take advantage of tuition assistance and these are the same people who tell there friends back home they joined for college.

[Kbird]

To those it may concern who have a problem with E-4's and under receiving the same paygrade as an E-7 at an E-5's rate.....Let me ask you this if we would all be making an O-5's BAH would there be any complaints from the enlisted? I think not...think of this as an equal opportunity and be thankful that we live in a country that can help service men and women receive a proper education, that is indeed rightfully theirs no matter what rank or age.

[Richard]

Funny how some guys are complaining that those with 3 years service get the same benefits as someone with 20. The point of the GI bill is to get you an education, so unless you go to a school that for some reason charges more for 20 year vets than 3 year vets, you have nothing to complain about. After 20 years you should be getting a retirement check, paid off a house and cars, some decent savings and had 20 years of opportunity with tuition assistance. No sense in being greedy.

[David Smith]

The E-7 who questioned why an E-3 would get the same as an E-7 is very selfish why not should a Doctor give you better treatment than a E-3. I guess you were the same when you were active SELFISH

[Ryan]

There are many questions about MGIB as it relates to the new 9/11 GI Bill, but there are still some of us out there who fall under VEAP. My next college class will pretty much exhaust my VEAP benefits, so I am very much interested in the new program.
I was in the reserve component for most of the 1990s and was therefore inelligible to transfer to MGIB. I returned to active duty from 2000 to 2008 and deployed to both OEF & OIF. So, I meet the 36 month requirement for full benefits. I retired in Oct 08 and am no longer on active duty.

As I read about the new program, it says I'm eligible, but I've also read that if you are not on active duty when the new program comes into effect, you cannot transfer in because the new benefit is a retention tool.

Now the big question; Am I eligible for the 9/11 GI Bill? Can I transfer IN when it goes into effect?

[Audra Bunney]

Am I elligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill if I have already used all 36 months of the old MGIB? Would it be possible to start up the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, and if so, how would I go about applying for it again? Would the fact that I have just finished my second 12-month long deployment be a factor in requesting the new GI Bill? I am currently in the Army National Guard have had two 12-month long deployments.

[Bud]

Ted,

That makes sense because I am a

E-6 with over 18 and I feel I would deserve a better benefits than a e-4 who did just his/her 4 years and got out.

We both get E-5 with dependent pay as it stands now. It doesn't seem like a perfect GI Bill and there defintely could use some improvement but atleast someone is trying to help out the service members. I do not want to sound greedy but that would help retention so someone could stay in to improve their college benefits when they get out.

Great idea Ted!!!

[Ted]

Do you how you can improve the new GI Bill?

How about making the stipend with dependents the rank you are when you get out.

This would reward not only for doing well in the military but for wanting to stay in.

For instance:

A E-3 who serves 4 years will get E-3 W/dependetns for his college stipend.

A E-7 who serves 22 years will get E-7 W/dependents for his college stipend.

and so forth.

Make sense doesn't it?

Currently a E-3 that served 4 years will get exactly the same stipend benefits as a E-7 that served 22 years.

I was wondering what everyone thoughts are on this.

[Bud]

How come the new gi bill make it where you have to be on active duty to transfer benefits to their dependents? This seems really silly. That is a very tough decision to make. Why can't the decision be made withing 15 years after getting out?

[cere myrick]

I joined the military in 1983. I invested in VEAP for 12 months and several years later asked for a refund because of a financial hardship. I since retired in Aug 2003. I'm rated at 80%. Is there any options for me to return to school with any educational benefits from VA.

[MSGT D.]

I never used any GI Bill benefits and started going to college to earn a BS in Business Management.

Heres my situation.
Active duty from July 1976 to June 1980. Air Gurard from June 1985 to Sept 2004. Activated 7.5 months when 9/11 happened from Feb 2003 to October 2003.

Was told I'm not eligible for any GI Bill benefits.

Is this true?
Thanks
D.

[Dennis Miller]

I am a Viet Nam era vet, serving four years in the USMC. I am 56 years old. I used my oribinal GI Bill benefits in 1975 to 1980 to get me 4 year degree. I am now going back to Strayer University, on line, for my Masters Degreee. I made $152,000 last year, will make much less this year. Do you know of any GI Bill benefits or scholarships that I may be available for?
Thanks,
Dennis Miller
USMC vet, 1969 to 1973

[Terry Howell]

Melissa - No. You will be given a choice as to which GI Bill program you want. In your case the choice is simple - stick with what you got. :-)

[Melissa]

I have a uick question. I was discharged in Jan02. I served 4 years and got out. I am currently using my GI Bill to pay for school. According to the Post GI Bill rates, I am only eligible for 40% of it. Does that mean that when the new GI Bill comes into effect that my rates will lower?

[Terry Howell]

Brandon - Yes. However, the tuition payment rate is limited to the cost of a undergraduate rate at the most expensive "state-operated" school in your current state.

This means you may have out-of-pocket expenses for more expensive programs. If you go "on-campus" in classroom, then you will also likely get the Housing Stipend, which could help cover those out-of-pocket costs.

Remember the program does not start until Aug. 1, 2009.

[Terry Howell]

Tarnisha - It appears your eligibility for the GI Bill most likely expired in 2007. You should call the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 to verify your personal eligibility situation.

[Bill]

I retired from active duty on 1 August 2004 after 22 years 10 months service. I did not sign up for earlier versions of the GI Bill How many months of eligibility would I have under the New GI Bill?

[Tarnisha Smith]

I was in the Army Reserves from 1990-1997 and received a honorable discharge. I never took advantage of the educational assistance that was provided to me (GI Bill) and want to know are they any educational assistance programs available for me as I have returned to school to obtain my Bachelor's at Kaplan University a on-line institution.

Thank you,

[Brandon Shields]

I am wanting to know if the new GI Bill can be applied to a masters degree?

[Theodore Beebe]

Here is my situation:

I will retire on July 31, 2009.

The new GI Bill begins on August 1, 2009.

I will not need the GI Bill because I will have completed my bachelor's degree before I retire from taking advantage of tuition assitance while in.

I invested the $1200.00 towards the old GI Bill.

I have a newborn daugther and wife I would like to transfer my benefits.

I can NOT transfer benefits because I retired one day before the new GI Bill.

The news of this really hit hard because I told my wife that she could get her Masters or my daugther could use it for college when she got older. Then I found out that you must be on active duty to transfer benefits.

I wish they would rethink the transfer benefits for people who served over 20 years that qualified for the new GI Bill.

Lets face it most us never expected to stay in so long and most of us have families that would be better off going to college because at our age we need to work full time to continue to support the family.

Also who knows while on active if you want to transfer benefits. It might be after you get out and start a full time job and at that point realize you will not need it and then decide it would be best utilize for the kids.

This is a great benefits but it you going to have it make it right to the men and women who served 20 or more already.

Note from Author:
A good reason to contact your congressman or Senator.
Start here: http://capwiz.com/military/dbq/officials/

[Theodore Beebe]

I feel that anyone that qualifies for the POST 9/11 GI Bill and retires before August 1, 2009 should be able to transfer benefits to their dependents. They say it is a retention tool to get people to stay in. But these people had already made their commiment before the new benefits and deserve it. It is a shame that someone that served for all them years has less benefits than someone that comes in today.

[DAVID]

HOW does the new GI bill efect the army college fund. with the old GI bill there was an additional $32,000 to pay for school.

[Ron W.]

I served in the AF from 1982 - 2004. At my first duty station the education office told me "don't sign up for VEAP, something better will come along". Well the MGIB came out but you had to be enrolled in VEAP to qualify. Is it now possible for me to enroll/qualify for the new GI Bill?

[Neal]

I am a military academy grad with a service connected disability after 3 years of service post 9/11. I fell short of my commitment of 5 years but do I still qualify because of my disability? thanks.

[Kim]

If I qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill and it comes to where we can transfer to our children if I have 3 children in qualifying colleges can it be divided equally between the three?

[Henry]

I am a retiree, I did not enrolled in VEAP or the MGIB. I was however in active-duty prior to and after 9-11. I want to know if I am entitled to benefits under the new GI Bill?

[Michael]

Like some folks above, I am a National Call to Service (NCS) Sailor. I am currently deployed and almost home!

When I get into the Reserves, it will be after 24 months of service on Active Duty, although the nature of the contract negates all training and claims that our Active commitment only adds up to 15 months (beginning with the date I arrived with my unit).

I am intending on NOT extending my contract, for a great employment opportunity, but also in hopes that the wording of this new GI Bill will allow for me to rate the 80% benefit, which would be ample enough for me to go to school in my home state.

I am already aware that I will, given that nature of my contract, deploy within the next two years anyhow. In either case, if only 15 months is tabulated under the new system, even a 12-month deployment would have me come up short on a 36-month active tally... so in that scenario, I still wouldn't I qualify for the full Bill regardless of having spent a potential 20 months out of 48 in a hostile foreign country patching up Marines.

Any word on what's going to happen to those with this contract? The new Bill is a great blessing, certainly better than not rating the old Bill AT ALL...

[WP]

Are people under the National Call to Service program eligible for the Post 911 gi bill?

[Jon]

I had previously exhausted my 36 months of Chap. 1606 MGIB-SR benefits as a traditional (drill status) selective reservist. Now, I have been an AGR for 36+ months, after 11 Sep 01. VA policy states that a person cannot exceed more than 48 months of lifetime benefit for 2 or more chapters. Would I be eligible for an additional 12 months of Chap. 33 benefit, even if I am not currently eligible for benefits under another chapter?

Note from Author: You should ask the VA this question. Call 1-888-GIBILL-1.

[Wesley]

I am a sailor currently on active duty in the National Call to Service program. I have an obligated 15 months of active duty after basic and "A" school. I technically am a reservist but want to know if I will be eligible for the Post 9/11 gi bill? If I am eligible I know that there are certain percentages of benifits you recieve depending on your time of active duty, but will my whole time away on active duty count?or just the 15 months of active duty on the ship?

Note from Author: The law doesn't differentiate between time on ship vs. time ashore. It only counts time on active duty.

[Joshua Cheifer]

I am trying to find out how much my ACF is. The Army has not told me how much and is investigating if I should receive it, even though I have sent the Army my education benefits contract that says I am eligible to receive the ACF. I served from 03/1991 - 12/2000. Any clue as to what that amount is?

Thank you!

[Yolanda Collins]

I cannot get a clear answer on if I am eligible or not for the GI Bill. I have been the Naval Reserves since 2000 and yes I have used my GI Bill to obtain my Bachalors degree in Business. But I did just re- enlist for another 6 years. I cannot understand why I would not be allowed to received any addtional funds to obtain my Masters degree. Cna some give me a clear answer ti the iquestion? Thank you in advance

[Vincent Serina]

I have a unique situation. I was active duty for 4 years till November of 2002 then used 34 months of my GI bill. I then joined back in the reserves and was activated for a year, so now I have 26 months after the 9/ll for the new GI bill for the 80%. What would benefit me the most in using my final 2 months? Should I wait until August for the new one or just start up in January and then use my reserve GI bill, or is there something that would extend until 48 months for reservists who are combat veterans?

I am basically asking financially, what would benefit me the most here in your opinion for my specific situation.

[MarciR]

I think the GI Bill is great and for 30 years have tried to get my husband to use his. When we heard that maybe the wifes could use them I was so happy to hear that maybe after 30 years of being in the Military and staying married all that time would benifit us both. I stayed home with the kids and took care of them and took care of him when he was home and volunteered of the Family Readiness for 30 years I hoped I would benifit too. I hear all of you soliders saying you should have joined the Military to get the GI Bill I didn't join but I stayed in it when he did and with him taking care of the family and the home while he was gone and I am still here. All of these others you don't know if they will even still be married to the military in the next 10 years or for that matter 5 years. How is it fair they will benifit from the GI Bill just because thier husbands are in now, and that some will marry to just beable to use it. That is my concern.

[Sarah Lester]

my husband is in the marines and im just a lil confused on whats going on with the gi bill and dependants...im recently going to school for a medical transpcriptionsit and through them they said if the marines will let us his gi bill for it then it could be paid for , we wouldnt be using all of it either just like 2000 of it. and the school is at home and i will be working at home. so what do i do or can you give me info?

Note from Author:
As of right now you cannot use your husbands GI Bill. And although the opportunity may come next year, however, it will not reimburse you for your current classes (those taken before Aug. 1 2009).

Visit http://education.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/20-top-faqs-for-new-gi-bill#16 to learn more about transferability.

[Joshua Sims]

I was discharged honorably (fulfilling my original enlistment contract)from the Air Force under 'personality disorder' with a no-reenlistment, no re-entry code. Assuming all other qualifications are met, would this in particular disqualify me from the post 911 GI bill? Thank you for your time.

Note from Author:
The only way to be sure is to call 1-888-GIBILL-1 to verify your eligiblity.

[scott deacon]

I just retired (1 Oct 08). Does that mean I cannot use the new system to trnsfer my by benefits to my dependents?

Note from Author:
Yes. You are not eligible to transfer benefits under this new law.

[Bryan]

I am an active duty member with 20+ years. I did not take the MGIB. Will I be able to transfer my Post GI Bill benefits to my dependents if I retire on 1 Aug 09? How does the tranfer of $$ work? Will I have to identify the amount I want for each dependent (3) before retirement?

Bryan

Note from Author:
Bryan, I suggest you read the FAQs at:
http://education.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/20-top-faqs-for-new-gi-bill. Hopefully #17 can clarify this for you. As it reads it appears the law will not apply to those with 20 years of service.

[Troy]

Just a quick question. How will the post 9/11 be used as far as flight training and getting a pilot license, and all ratings?? i know the old gi bill could be used, but they only paid 60%, so will the post 9/11 gi bill pay 100%. the flight school that i am looking at is more of a just flight training school, although i have seen some universities that have flight training that get you ratings. thanks

Note from Author:
Troy - Here is what we know for sure - Under the Post 9/11 GI Bill you may receive educational and training assistance for any program of education that is approved under MGIB (chapter 30) and offered by a college or university. This includes vocational training programs that are offered by acredited colleges and universities only. However, if you were previously eligible for the MGIB, MGIB-SR (1606), or REAP (1607) you may continue to receive educational assistance for MGIB approved programs not offered by colleges and universities (i.e. flight, correspondence, APP/OJT, preparatory courses, and national tests).

Either way you will not get more than 60% for flight training.

[Larry]

@anyone who can answer. So if i got out of the army in 05 my post 9/11 GI Bill is good until 2015, correct? or is it 10 years after the new bill goes into action?

Note from Author:
According to the current wording of the law - the 15 years will be determined by your last separation from active duty. But this may change as the VA clarifies the details.

[lorenzo]

im getting out in september 09 and im going to be moving to the dominican republic attending school i wanted to know winitch one would benefit me more the new or old gi bill? n if i would be able to use it over there? and how much would the e5 bah be in the dominican republic?

Note from Author:
Lorenzo, the current law is vague on overseas students and schools. Senate bill S.3339 is being worked on in congress, it would clarify the rules for overseas students. So the answer is to wait an see. Like many otther details, this is still being worked out.

[Kelly]

Great Q&A here. I've been wondering how my situation would pan out and nobody could tell me. I have a little less than a year left on my GI Bill and was HOPING to use it up and that the Post 9/11 Bill would be another kicker! Crap. Oh well. It's all good though. The GI Bill has helped me pay for school and my living expenses for years now and I am forever grateful for it. Thank you to all the folks who are helping to finally answer all these questions. Good luck school-goers!!!!

Kelly Rice

[Marc Cruz]

Quick question; I served almost 6yrs active duty and was discharged in Oct 2003. I joined the reserves there after. I received orders to return to active duty as an augmentee 8 months later and served for 12 months active duty after which I went into inactive service for an additional year. Do I qualify for 100% of the new G.I Bill???

Marc Cruz

Note from Author:
If your total time on active duty (both as a member of the reserve and a member of the reserve) is 36 or more months then yes you do.

[Lisa]

My husband has been in the Army for over 18 years & told me he spoke to someone at the VA & they told him he COULDN'T transfer his GI Bill to our son because of his enlistment or MOS. Is there some rule that active duty military CAN'T transfer their GI Bill to family members for these reasons? Who can I contact to get more information. I'm new to the military system & it makes no sense that he can't tranfer this benefit.

Note from the Author:
Under the Montgomery GI Bill your husband would have to have met specific MOS restrictions to qualify and would have to reenlist to be eligible for the Army's pilot "transferability program."

The rules governing transferability under the New Post 9/11 GI Bill are still being worked out. However, because this new "Transferability" is part of a retention incentive, your husband may not be eligible since he would have to fit certain service length and re-enlistement criteria.

But stay tuned the facts should be made clear soon.

[Brent]

Retired from National Guard after 27 years, looking to move forward with Masters degree. BioSecurity Masters is not offered in my state, so state tuition is not applicable. Looking to use any / all funding available. Only active duty was from 10/2006 until 12/2007. Any suggestions?

[Chuck]

I retired in 07 after 23 years. I am currently enrolled full time, for my Doctorate. Should I make the switch? My monthly GI Bill money has already gone up this year. I will continue in the courses, until 2011. Just curious. Thanks!

Note From Author:
You need to do the math - there are several things you need to look at or consider when making the choice..
First consideration - Tuition Rate: The tuition rate for your doctorate under the Post 9/11 will be limited to the "undergrad" payment rate for the highest cost state run school. If your program is subsidized (many PHD programs are) then your actual Tuition Rate is in consequencial. However if the rate exceeds your state "undergrad" rate then you may have out-of-pocket expenses if you switch.

Second consideration - Housing Stipend: The housing stipend in some areas can easily exceed the Montgomery GI Bill payment rate. You can check this by using the BAH calculator found at http://perdiem.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/bah.html. Enter e-5 with Dependents and the Zip Code for your school.

If the total Post 9/11 (Tuition and Stipends) exceeds your MGIB payment rate of $1321 then you may be better off with the new Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Hope that helps,

Terry

[Angela Wright]

I am retired military (2006). Can I change over to the New GI Bill? I started using it in 2006?

Note from Author -
Yes. But choose carefully, your choice is irrevocable. If you plan to complete your degree at a public college or university (in classroom) then the Post 9/11 is definitely the way to go. Good Luck.

Terry