If you’ve served or are currently serving in the military, you’ve earned some of the most comprehensive education benefits available. Whether you’re a veteran thinking about that degree you’ve always wanted, an active duty service member planning your next move, or a military spouse or dependent exploring your options, these military benefits can help make furthering your education accessible and affordable.
However, many people don’t fully understand what they’re entitled to or how to actually use these military benefits to go back to school. So let’s fix that this morning. Grab your coffee, and let’s walk through what’s available to you and your family.
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Understanding Your GI Bill Benefits
When people talk about military education benefits they’re usually talking about the GI Bill. Yet many people don’t understand that “the GI Bill” actually refers to several different programs, and which one you qualify for depends on when and how long you’ve served.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post 9/11 GI Bill is the most generous program for recent service members and veterans. If you served at least 90 days of aggregate active duty after September 10, 2001, you likely qualify. The percentage of benefits you receive will depend on how you qualify across a few different factors.
But what does this bill actually cover?
- Tuition and fees – If you qualify for the maximum benefit, it covers the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees. For private schools, foreign schools, and graduate programs, there’s an annual cap that adjusts each year. If you plan on attending an out-of-state public school, you may qualify for in-state tuition rates.
- Housing allowances – This benefit will be disbursed as a monthly payment if you’re enrolled more than half-time. The amount will be based on the cost of living where your school is located, adjusting to your actual needs.
- Books and supplies – The necessities for attending your classes would also be covered through an annual stipend that helps to offset those costs each school year.
But the GI Bill goes beyond just tuition and housing. It can also cover:
- Tutorial assistance – Struggling with coursework? This benefit can help you get the extra academic support you may need.
- National exams, licensing, and certification tests – This also includes prep courses. If your career path requires professional certifications or licensing exams, you can get reimbursed for those costs.
- Work Study opportunities – Work Study programs allow you to earn money while enrolled, helping cover living expenses while you focus on school.
- Relocation assistance – In certain situations, if you live in a highly rural area (6 or fewer people per square mile) and need to move at least 500 miles for school (or can only reach your school by plane) you may qualify for a one time payment to help with moving costs.
Lastly, and this is something very important to remember, these benefits do expire and it will depend on when you were discharged from active duty. Don’t fret, you have a generous window, but again, there is an expiration date so don’t let it slip away unused!
The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
This bill is designed for veterans who entered service before 2018 and contributed $100 per month during their first year of service. It provides a monthly payment for full-time students rather than paying schools directly. For more details and to find if you qualify, click here.
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Tuition Assistance While You Serve
Still on active duty? You don’t have to wait until you separate to start your education. Tuition Assistance (TA) is one of the smartest military benefits to use while you’re still serving. Each branch administers TA slightly differently, but the principle is the same: you can earn your degree while you serve, and save your GI Bill benefits for later.
While this is not the only way you can tap into your military benefits when returning back to school, a strategy many successful service members use is to maximize the tuition assistance available while enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certification, and then utilizing Post-9/11 GI Bill for more expensive graduate programs after separating from service.
You can also use both TA and the GI Bill simultaneously in some cases. Check with your education services officer about “Top-Up” benefits that can supplement TA when course costs exceed the annual cap.
The Yellow Ribbon Program
If you qualify for your maximum benefit under the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and looking at schools that cost more than the annual cap, the Yellow Ribbon Program can be a game changer.
Here’s how it works: participating schools agree to waive a portion of tuition that exceeds the GI Bill cap, and the VA matches that waived amount. This means thet some private schools who offer the Yellow Ribbon Program can become completely covered (no out-of-pocket expenses).
Not all schools participate, and those that do often limit how many students can receive Yellow Ribbon funding each year. If you’re considering an expensive private institution or an out-of-state public school, check their Yellow Ribbon commitment early on. Contact the school’s veterans affairs office and ask specific questions about their program limits and the application process.
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Transferring Benefits to Dependents
This is where military benefits get really powerful for families. If you’re active duty and have served at least six years with a commitment to serve four more years, you can transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to your spouse or children.
Your spouse can use transferred benefits immediately for any level of education (undergraduate, graduate, or professional programs). There’s no age limit for spouses.
Children must be at least 18 years old (or have graduated high school) to use transferred benefits, and they must use them before turning 26. This can cover their undergraduate degrees entirely, potentially saving your family tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The critical detail: you must request the transfer while you’re still in service. Once you’ve separated, you cannot transfer unused benefits to family members so if this is part of your plan, act on it before you get out.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
If you have a service-connected disability rated at least 10% and it impacts your ability to work, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment can provide education and training benefits that go beyond the GI Bill.
VR&E (also called Chapter 31) helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain suitable employment. The program can cover up to 48 months of training, including college degrees, vocational programs, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and more.
Here’s what makes VR&E particularly valuable: it pays for tuition, books, supplies, and even provides a monthly subsistence allowance. If you need special accommodations like assistive technology or tutoring due to your disability, VR&E can cover those too.
And the best part? Using VR&E doesn’t reduce your GI Bill entitlement. You keep those benefits for additional education later if you need them.
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State Specific Military Benefits
Don’t overlook what your state offers. Many states provide additional education benefits for veterans on top of federal programs, and these can be substantial.
Some states offer free or significantly reduced tuition at public colleges and universities for veterans and sometimes their dependents. Others provide grants or scholarships specifically for military-connected students.
For example, Texas has the Hazlewood Act, which provides up to 150 credit hours of tuition exemption at public institutions and can be transferred to children. California offers fee waivers for veteran dependents. Illinois provides tuition waivers for children of disabled or deceased veterans.
Check your state’s department of veterans affairs website. Benefits vary widely by state, but they can make a significant difference in your education costs. Be sure to take advantage of what it is you have earned for you and your family.
How to Access Your Military Benefits
Understanding what’s available is step one. Here’s the practical roadmap to actually using these military benefits:
- Get your Certificate of Eligibility – Apply through the VA website at VA.gov. You’ll need your DD Form 214 (discharge paperwork) if you’re a veteran. The process typically takes a few weeks, so start early.
- Choose your school and connect with their veterans office – Every school that accepts GI Bill benefits has a School Certifying Official (SCO) who specializes in helping veterans navigate the process. These folks are invaluable, take them in even if you feel you do not need their assistance.
- Understand the payment timeline – The VA typically pays schools directly for tuition at the beginning of each term. Your housing allowance comes monthly, in arrears, based on your enrollment rate. This means you won’t receive your first housing payment until after your first month of classes plan your finances accordingly.
- Verify your enrollment monthly – The VA requires monthly enrollment verification. Miss a verification, and your housing allowance gets delayed. Set a phone reminder this is easy to forget but critical.
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Maintaining Your Military Benefits
To keep your benefits flowing smoothly, you need to maintain satisfactory academic progress. Fall below a 2.0 GPA or fail to complete courses without proper withdrawal, and the VA may place your benefits on hold or require repayment.
If life happens and you need to withdraw from a class, understand the financial implications. Depending on when you withdraw, you may have to repay the VA for that course. Talk to your SCO before making withdrawal decisions.
Flexibility of Military Benefits
Your GI Bill isn’t just for four year degrees. You can use military benefits for:
- Associate degrees and certificate programs
- Trade schools and apprenticeships
- Licensing and certification tests (IT certifications, real estate licenses, etc.)
- Flight training programs
- On-the-job training programs
- Graduate degrees (Master’s, PhD, JD, MD, MBA)
- Professional certifications in high-demand fields
The flexibility is significant. If your career goal requires specific certifications rather than a traditional degree, your military benefits can likely support that path.
Resources and Support
The VA’s GI Bill website is your official source for detailed information. It’s comprehensive, though sometimes challenging to navigate. Don’t hesitate to call the hotline with questions, they’re there to help.
Be sure to connect with other student veterans on campus as well! Most schools have Student Veterans of America chapters or similar organizations. These peer communities provide invaluable support and practical advice from people who’ve already navigated the system.
Consider working with veterans service organizations like the VFW, American Legion, or DAV. They too can offer free assistance with benefits claims and can help if you encounter problems with your military benefits should they arise.
The Bottom Line
You served your country. These education benefits are yours you earned them through your service and sacrifice. They represent a significant investment in your future, so don’t let them expire because you weren’t sure how to start, or thought you’d do it “someday.” Whether you’re transitioning from military to civilian life, still serving and planning ahead, or a family member with transferred benefits, education provides structure, opportunity, and a path forward.
Your service proved you can handle challenges, adapt to difficult situations, and complete demanding missions. Going back to school is just another mission and you’ve got the support and military benefits to succeed. Welcome back to school. We’re glad you’re here.
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