Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) Benefits: Your Guide to Education and Training

Introduction

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) helps veterans, service members, and their families pursue their educational goals. If you’ve served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may be eligible for this education benefit. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the benefits it offers, and how to use them.

Eligibility

To qualify for Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits, you must meet at least one of the following requirements:

1. Served at least 90 days on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) on or after September 11, 2001.
2. Received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service.
3. Served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break in service) on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability.
4. You’re a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or service member.

Note that if you’re a member of the Reserves who lost education benefits when the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) ended in November 2015, you may qualify to receive restored benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

What Benefits Can I Get?

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) offers various benefits to help you pursue your educational goals. These include:

1. Tuition and fees: The VA will cover the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees. Private and foreign schools have capped rates, and the VA updates these rates each year.
2. Money for housing: If you’re enrolled more than half-time, you’ll receive a monthly housing allowance based on the cost of living where your school is located.
3. Money for books and supplies: You can receive up to the maximum stipend per school year.
4. Money to help you move from a rural area: If you live in a county with 6 or fewer people per square mile and need to move at least 500 miles to attend school or have no other option but to fly by plane to get to your school, you may qualify for a one-time payment.

Do These Benefits Expire?

If your service ended before January 1, 2013, your Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits will expire 15 years after your last separation date from active service. You must use all of your benefits by that time or you’ll lose whatever’s left.

However, if your service ended on or after January 1, 2013, your benefits won’t expire thanks to the Forever GI Bill – Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act.

How Do I Get These Benefits?

To apply for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, follow these steps:

1. Go to the VA’s website (va.gov) and apply for education benefits.
2. Provide the required documents, such as your DD Form 214 or a copy of your military orders.
3. The VA will process

2023-2024 Post-9/11 GI Bill BAH Rates (Monthly Housing Allowance)