What is the GI Bill?
The GI Bill is a broad term that describes many of the education assistance programs available to service members and veterans. Its goal is to provide our military with a range of learning experiences and skills – through the funding of different education options. These include the traditional four year college, vocational school, and apprenticeship/on-job training. In addition, these programs cover the costs of licensing, certification tests, and national exams.

Who Qualifies?
The GI Bill provides education benefits to all active duty, reserves, veterans, and dependents of veterans who were permanently disabled or died while on active duty.

What will the GI Bill Pay for?

• Non-college degrees
• Universities and colleges
• Correspondence schools
• Flight schools
• On-job training and apprenticeships (Veterans and Reserve only)

How Much Will the GI Bill Cover?
This depends on your duty status (Active Duty, Reserve, or Veteran) and your student status (full time, part time).

For Active Duty and Veteran, your benefit is worth up to $47,556 which is based on a 36 month period at $1,321 per month. For Reserve, your benefits can be worth up to $11,844 over 36 months at $329 per month. Reservists have a number of GI Bill options that provide for different levels of benefits. These rates are based on 2008-2009 payment rates and full time student status. See GI Bill Programs for more details.

What are the duty eligibility requirements under the GI Bill?

To be eligible under Active Duty, a service member must have:

• First enlisted on or after 7/11/85
• Had continuous active duty equal or greater than your initial enlistment period
• Had a pay reduction of $1,200

To be eligible under Veteran, the veteran must:

• Have contributed $100 a month for the first twelve (12) months on active duty
• Have served at least 2 years on active duty
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent like a GED

To be eligible under Reserve, the reservist must:

• Be an active drilling reservist
• Have completed IADT
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent like a GED
• Remain in drilling status
• Be in good standing
• Have at least a 6-year obligation
• Have performed full-time active duty service for 90 consecutive days or more after 9/11/01

How to Get Started
If you meet the duty eligibility requirements above, you can start the application process at any time and start moving towards your educational and life goals.

We suggest that you:

1. Find a VA approved training or education program – check with admissions. Make sure you’ve done your research on the curriculum, teaching method, and how it’ll help you get the skills and knowledge necessary for that post military job.
2. Complete the Application for Education Benefits, VA Form 22-1990. You can do this on the VONAPP, the Veterans On-line Application Website.
3. Send Application to School. Make sure you’ve met any student requirements of the program and sent the application to the school’s admissions office.
4. Confirmation of Your Benefits. You should hear back from the VA office in 6-8 weeks declaring your eligibility and your benefits.
5. Receiving Your Benefits. On a monthly basis, you will need to verify with VA through the Web Automated Verification of Eligibility (WAVE) to continue receiving your benefit checks.
6. Go to School and Get Educated. This is the where all real work happens – going to class, doing the work, and taking the steps towards creating a better life for yourself.

Primary Source: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs