Post-9/11 GI Bill Questions and Answers

2009/04/27 00:00:00

1. Who is eligible for the Post 9-11 GI Bill? Service men and women who have active duty service of at least 90 days since Sept. 10, 2001 qualify for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Benefits range from 100% for 36 months cumulative service to 40% for 90 days service.

2. Are military retirees and National Guard/Reserve servicemembers eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill? Yes, if they have post-Sept. 10, 2001 federal active duty service of at least 90 days.

3. Can servicemembers transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to family members? Any current member of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected Reserve, officer or enlisted) who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and agrees to complete the service required under the transfer policy (there are specific exceptions) may transfer their benefits to a spouse and/or dependent children after the new program commences on 1 August 2009. DoD has released the proposed transfer rules but they are not yet official.

4. Will veterans, including military retirees, be permitted to transfer Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to dependents? No. Post-9/11 GI Bill transferability is a force management tool that works just like a reenlistment bonus. Only currently serving members who meet service reenlistment/extension gates will be eligible.

5. Are Service Academy/ROTC Scholarship commissioned officers eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill? Officers from these commissioning sources can qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. But, time spent satisfying their initial active duty service obligation does not count towards the service necessary to qualify for the benefits.

6. How does the Post-9/11 GI Bill compare to the current Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)? The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays benefits based on active duty service performed after Sept. 10, 2001. Benefits are tailored to a veteran's specific school and location. MGIB benefits, on the other hand, are elective upon enlistment and require a $1,200 payroll reduction. MGIB rates are based on the enlistment contract and the course load taken regardless of the institution's tuition/fees and location.

7. How much is the Post-9/11 GI Bill worth? Benefits are calculated on the length of active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001 based on:

• The amount of tuition and fees charged up to the most expensive in-state public college or university undergraduate program
• A monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing (BAH) amount payable to an E-5 with dependents in the same zip code as the institution. (NOTE: the housing allowance is NOT paid to individuals on active duty, nor to those pursuing education/training at half time or less or to individuals taking online coursework)
• A yearly stipend of up to $1,000 for books and supplies

8. When does the Post-9/11 GI Bill program begin? August 1, 2009.

9. What happens between August 1, 2008 and the start of the Post-9/11 GI Bill? Servicemembers and veterans with active duty MGIB or reservists with 'REAP' eligibility got a 20% hike in those benefits, effective August 1, 2008:

• Active duty MGIB rates
• REAP rates

10. Are servicemembers who turned down the MGIB or VEAP when they entered the service eligible for the Post- 9/11 GI Bill? Yes, if they have post Sept. 10, 2001 service of 90 days or more.

11. May MGIB benefits be used with new Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits? No. MGIB participants must choose to remain with that program or make an irrevocable election to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. For those who do convert, MGIB benefits already used are deducted from the total months of eligibility under the new program. For example, a MGIB participant who has used 12 months of those benefits and decides to transfer to the Post-9/11 GI Bill will have 24 months of remaining entitlement. MGIB participants who make an irrevocable election for the Post-9/11 GI Bill are authorized to use it for OJT, licensure – training, flight training and other training authorized under the MGIB.

12. Are the program eligibility rules the same under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the MGIB? No. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is limited to study at post-secondary institutions of higher learning (IHL) -- community colleges, colleges, universities -- and actual attendance is required. In addition to IHL programs, MGIB participants may use their benefits for distance (online) learning, licensure / certification, On-the-Job (OJT) training, and flight training.

13. Are disabled veterans eligible for the Post-911 GI Bill? Yes, if they have the qualifying Post-9/11 service. However, veterans who qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VRE) benefits (Chapter 31, 38 USC) due to a service-related disability may only use the MGIB in combination with VRE, if they elect to take an educational or training program in preparation for employment. Disabled veterans should discuss their situation with their VRE counselor. 

14. Were Survivors' educational benefits affected by the passage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill? No, unfortunately. Survivors of servicemembers who died on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001 are entitled to Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance benefits (Chapter 35, 38 USC), but these benefits were not upgraded to reflect the MGIB rate hike (20%) nor the housing allowance and book stipend established under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. (MOAA and The Military Coalition have made this issue a priority for Survivors benefits in 2009).

15. Where can I find additional information? Go to: www.gibill.va.gov.