This year you may consider utilizing your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to pursue higher education. As is standard, the bill has changed its coverage to match the average cost of undergraduate education.
Here are the rates for the 2022-2023 school year.
The Basics
The Post-9/11 GI Bill program is comprised of multiple payments. All payments and maximum amounts listed below apply to individuals eligible for the full benefit (100% eligibility tier). The payment and maximum amounts listed will be prorated based on your eligibility percentage if you are not eligible for the full benefit. Other benefits, such as the Yellow Ribbon Program, may help you to cover costs that the Post-9/11 GI Bill does not cover.
Public School
Students attending a public school in their resident state may be eligible to receive full coverage for tuition and fee payments. This rate is not guaranteed for all students and is the maximum amount you can receive. You may also be eligible to receive a monthly housing allowance, funding for books and supplies and a one-time rural benefit.
If you are attending a public institute of higher learning (IHL) as a non-resident student or a private IHL that is more expensive than the annual cap, you may be eligible for extra payment under the Yellow Ribbon Program. You may also qualify for in-state tuition rates if you live in the state where the school is located, regardless of your formal state of residence.
Private, Foreign and Non-College Degree-Granting Institutions
For these learning institutions, coverage will not exceed $26,381.37 per academic year. Students wanting to attend these universities may also qualify for the housing, books and supplies funding and the one-time rural benefit.
Apprenticeships and On-the-Job Training
Funding is also available for those working in an apprenticeship or on-the-job training. The rates are as follows:
- First six months of training: 100% of your applicable Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)
- Second six months of training: 80% of your applicable MHA
- Third six months of training: 60% of your applicable MHA
- Fourth six months of training: 40% of your applicable MHA
- Remaining pursuit of training: 20% of your applicable MHA
You may also be eligible to receive a stipend for books and supplies.
Vocational Flight Schools
The actual net costs are not to exceed $15,075.05 per academic year.
The cap applies to all classes and/or enrollments that begin during that academic year, regardless of the academic year in which the courses or enrollments are completed.
Correspondence Schools
The actual net costs are not to exceed $12,831.78 per academic year.
National Testing Programs/Licensing and Certification Tests
You may receive a reimbursement for any fees for testing, licenses and certifications. The charge against an individual’s entitlement for payment for licensing and certification examinations and national tests will be prorated based on the actual fee for the test relative to the rate of $2,200.96 for one month. The maximum reimbursable amount for licensing and certification tests is $2,000. There is no maximum reimbursable amount for national tests.
MHA, Books/Supplies and Rural Benefit
If you are eligible for any of the above, which many GI Bill users are, here’s what you need to know about these programs:
- The MHA is generally the same as the military BAH for an E-5 with dependents. This rate is variable and dependent on factors such as the location of your school, your rate of pursuit and whether you enrolled in the program before 1/8/18. Exceptions to the MHA include:
- Foreign Schools: Maximum of $1,833.30
- Exclusively Online Training (No Classroom): $916.50
- Schools in U.S. Territories: E-5 with dependents OHA Rate for school location
- A yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 is paid proportionately based on enrollment.
- A one-time payment of $500 may be payable to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas if they reside in a county with six persons or less per square mile (as determined by the most recent decennial census) and either:
- Physically relocate at least 500 miles to attend an educational institution
- Travel by air to physically attend an educational institution if no other land-based transportation exists
For more information on your specific coverage, visit benefits.va.gov/GIBILL.
Sources: benefits.va.gov, military.com
