New GI Bill Benefit Details

The New Post-9/11 GI Bill offers several new and improved benefits for veterans attending education and training programs at accredited colleges or universities.

Post-9/11 benefit eligiblity and payment rates are based on the amount creditable active-duty service each veteran has since Sept. 10, 2001. See the Tables below.

NOTE: This webpage was created to help explain the Military.com GI Bill Calculator results.

Tuition and Fees - VA pays eligible veteran's tuition & fees payment directly to the school. This payment is not to exceed the highest undergraduate tuition & fees rates at a state operated college or university (Institution of Higher Learning (IHL)). This payment rate is determined by the state in which the school is located - not the student's state of residence.

Post-9/11 benefit payments are based on the amount creditable active-duty service each veteran has since Sept. 10, 2001. (See Table Below)

Monthly Living Stipend - VA will pay eligible veterans* a monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. This amount is based on the ZIP code of the location of the school you are attending. Not the student's home ZIP code. To determine the BAH for your ZIP code click here.

This amount is prorated based on the student's rate of pursuit (number of credits taken).

Students taking 100 percent of their classes through distance learning will receive 1/2 the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents.

GI Bill Calculator "N/A" Results - If your Post-9/11 GI Bill "Monthly Living Stipend" results are zero or N/A, then it is likely due to one of the following:

• Your current duty status is active-duty -or -
• You indicated that you plan to enroll half-time or less.

Servicemembers currently on active duty and veterans taking courses on a half-time or less basis do not qualify for the monthly housing allowance - also referred to as the living stipend. However, a student who is enrolled in any number of credits above half-time is eligible for the stipend. For example: if a school reports a rate of pursuit of 6 units is half-time and you take 7 units then the veteran qualifies for the monthly living stipend.

If your "Book Stipend" results are zero or N/A, then it is likely due your active duty status. Servicemembers on active duty do not qualify for the book stipend.

Note: Post-9/11 benefit payments are based on the amount creditable active-duty service each veteran has since Sept. 10, 2001. (See Table Below)

Book and Supply Stipend - VA will pay eligible veterans* an annual book stipend of up to $1,000. This stipend will paid at the beginning of each term. It is paid proportionately based on the number of credits taken by each student at $41 per credit hour. 

One-Time Relocation Allowance - eligible veterans may also receive a one-time rural benefit payment of $500.00.
To qualify veterans must:

• Reside in a county with 6 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 - or -
• Travel by air to physically attend an educational institution if no other land-based transportation exists.

Post-9/11 Benefit Tiers

All Post 9/11 GI Bill benefit payments are based on the amount creditable active-duty service each veteran has since Sept. 10, 2001. For active-duty, Guard and reserve personnel, who have served on active duty since Sept. 10, 2001 the following table applies: