Using Post 911 GI Bill Benefits to Get a College Degree

For service members who served 90 days of more after September 11, 2001, the Post 911 GI Bill offers educational benefits for colleges, universities, and vocational training. Not only can veterans use these benefits, but vets can also transfer their GI Bill eligibility to a dependent, such as a wife, husband, or child. Read on to learn about specifics of this bill and colleges that accept these veterans education benefits.

The new VA GI Bill covers:

• tuition at the state college level, with a Yellow Ribbon Program that can also cover the cost of private school
• fees
• books (up to $1,000 or $41 per credit hour per year)
• monthly housing allowance while in school

The monthly housing allowance, or MHA, can be as high as $1,500 for the 9 months in the academic year. This means you're getting all tuition and fees, $1,000 in books and getting paid up to $13,500 per year in cash for living expenses - all to attend college.

Almost all public and private colleges in the U.S., as well as vocational training schools and centers, accept GI education benefits. Some schools such as Humboldt State University, Golden Gate University, and Excelsior College accept Post-911 GI Bill Benefits for degrees including:

• associate
• bachelor's
• master's
• juris doctor (law school)

Check with the Veteran's Enrollment department at any school or program you're considering.

Benefits range from 100 percent of the program's maximum to 40 percent of the GI Bill benefits, depending on time of service, service-connected disability, and other factors. Check with the Veterans Affairs department to learn more about your specific level of eligibility, and read and research the issue carefully.

Any information, promotion, or public education campaign on VA benefits and the VA GI Bill can help you to maximize the amount of money you receive. Read as much as possible in newspapers, brochures, and on websites to learn how to use the program to its fullest, and get the education you deserve.