You have questions about the Department of Veterans Affairs' GI Bill benefits, and we have answers.
Are GI Bill benefits considered Financial Aid?
GI Bill benefits aren't considered financial aid in the traditional sense. In most cases, the school's financial aid department does not consider the GI Bill financial aid. This means you're eligible for student loans, scholarships, and Pell Grants along with the GI Bill. But it is important to note that your GI Bill income can reduce the amount of student financial aid you are eligible to receive, and if you receive a scholarship, your Post-9/11 GI Bill may not pay as much to the school. However, your housing allowance will not be affected.
Find more cash for school or get the lowdown on scholarships and education assistance available to your family. FastWeb can help. Visit FastWeb.com to have education tips and benefits updates delivered directly to your inbox.
How long do I have to use my GI Bill benefits?
If you are using the Post-9/11 GI Bill and you left the service after Jan. 1, 2013, there is no time limit to use your GI Bill. If you got out before that date, you have 15 years from your discharge to use all your GI Bill benefits.
If you are using the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty, you have 10 years from your date of discharge.
If you don't use your GI Bill before these ending dates, you lose it. However, if you join the service again, the expiration date will change.
Example: Seaman Smith left active duty and joined the Navy Reserve. Three years later, she returned to active duty with 12 years remaining on the Post-9/11 GI Bill clock. When she leaves the service again, the 15-year period of eligibility begins again. She now has a fresh 15 years left to use all of her benefits, or she will lose her remaining balance.
Can I stop and start using the GI Bill at will?
Yes, you can use the GI Bill for any period of time, take time off, and re-apply to use it again at a later date.
What does a "month" of benefits mean?
Example for veterans:
Every time you attend one full month of classes as a full-time student, you are charged one month of benefits. For example, if you attend classes as a half-time student, you will have to attend two full months to be charged one month of benefits. Likewise, if you attend classes from the 1st through the 15the of the month, you will be charged only a half month of entitlement.
It is important to remember that your attendance will proportionally affect your monetary benefit as well. If you attend classes as a half-time student under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you will receive only half the normal Monthly Housing Allowance. If you attend under the Montgomery GI Bill, you will receive half of the maximum monthly benefit.
However, for active-duty members:
If you are on active duty and you go to school full-time for four months, but your tuition is only $1,000, you will still be charged for four months of your GI Bill 36-month entitlement.
How is attendance charged against my GI Bill Benefit?
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, your entitlement is charged based on your training time. If you go to classes at half-time attendance, you will be charged half a month of GI Bill entitlement no matter how much money you receive in GI Bill benefits.
Under the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty, your entitlement is charged based on the amount of money you receive. For example, if the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty's full-time rate is $2,358 a month, you will be charged one month of entitlement for each $2,358 you receive.
How often will I receive payments?
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, tuition and fees go directly to the school, and the housing stipend goes to students at the end of the month.
The Montgomery GI Bill pays on a monthly basis with for types and costs of training.
Will I have to pay taxes on my GI Bill benefits?
No, your GI Bill benefits are not taxable.
What are the current payment rates?
The rates increase every year. See the current rates.
Can I be eligible for more than one benefit?
You may be eligible for more than one VA education benefit. If you are, you must elect which benefit to receive. You can't receive payment for more than one benefit at a time.
The VA Education Benefits include:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty(MGIB-AD)
- Montgomery GI Bill- Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
- Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
- Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA)
- Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship)
- Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
- Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
How do I get started?
Apply for the GI Bill online at the VA's website.
Keep Up With Your Education Benefits
Whether you need a guide on how to use your GI Bill, want to take advantage of tuition assistance and scholarships, or get the lowdown on education benefits available for your family, Military.com can help. Subscribe to Military.com to have education tips and benefits updates delivered directly to your inbox.
