Benefits Under the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act
This new benefit will cover the full cost of education at any public school in the country and many private schools. To qualify for the benefits, a veteran has to have served at least 90 days of active duty post-9/11 and have remaining entitlement. Only post-9/11 active duty service counts toward this benefit. Any remaining Chapter 30 or 1607 entitlement can be converted into this new education benefit. There is no requirement to buy in to qualify, and the benefits last for 15 years after separation.
This benefit discards the outdated benefits system and replaces it with a WWIIstyle GI bill that provides upfront tuition payments directly to the school, and provides a book/supply stipend of $1,000 per year and a monthly living stipend. The tuition payments can be used at any public or private school but are capped at the cost of the most expensive public school in the state. Click here for a state-by-state breakdown. However, more expensive private schools offering a veterans-only scholarship will see that scholarship matched dollar for dollar up to the full cost of tuition.
The monthly living stipend will be based on the Department of Defense Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) for that region. The stipend will be pegged to the E-5 with a dependent rate for the zip code of the school.
Tuition: |
Paid up front to the school at the beginning of each term Capped at the tuition cost of the most expensive public school in the state More expensive schools offering veterans-only scholarships will be matched dollar for dollar Click here for a list of the most expensive public schools in each state |
Books/Supplies: |
$1,000/year paid up front and divided by academic term |
Monthly Living: |
Based on DoD’s BAH rate for E-5 with dependent Uses zip code of the college/university |
Time to Use Benefit: |
15 years |
Buy In: |
None |
Reservists will continue to receive a percentage of the active duty rate based on the length of their active duty service. However, this new benefit will allow reservists to accumulate active duty service from multiple tours (more service = higher benefits). Lastly, all reservists called to active duty will now have 15 years to use their benefits, no longer just those who have 8 years of active duty or select reserve.
| 90 Consecutive Days: | 40% (Tuition, Books/Supplies and Living Stipend) |
| 6 Cumulative Months: | 50% (Tuition, Books/Supplies and Living Stipend) |
| 12 Cumulative Months: | 60% (Tuition, Books/Supplies and Living Stipend) |
| 18 Cumulative Months: | 70% (Tuition, Books/Supplies and Living Stipend) |
| 24 Cumulative Months: | 80% (Tuition, Books/Supplies and Living Stipend) |
| 30 Cumulative Months: | 90% (Tuition, Books/Supplies and Living Stipend) |
| 36 Cumulative Months: | 100% (Tuition, Books/Supplies and Living Stipend) |
| Time to Use Benefit: | 15 years (see above) |
| Buy In: | None |
