For generations, the GI Bill has served as a cornerstone of support for veterans and their families, offering an opportunity to pursue education and build new careers after military service. Whether these men and women are looking for a transition out of the military or their family members are looking to earn their education, understanding the ins and outs of the GI Bill can open doors to so many involved with our military. Many service members and veterans, however, may be asking: How does the GI Bill work? With multiple versions of the GI Bill available鈥攕uch as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more鈥攊t can be confusing to determine which benefits apply, how to apply for them, and what educational opportunities are covered. In this guide, we will demystify the GI Bill, helping those who qualify understand not only the core benefits available but also how to maximize those benefits to suit their educational and career goals.
A Brief History
The first iteration of the GI Bill came into existence in 1944, called the Servicemen鈥檚 Readjustment Act. It was signed into law by Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide World War II veterans with funds for unemployment insurance, housing, and college education. As detailed by the , 鈥渢he Department of Labor estimated that, after the war, 15 million men and women who had been serving in the armed services would be unemployed.鈥� So a white house agency, the National Resources Planning Board, studied what the post-war needs would be in early 1942 and recommended a series of programs for education and training.
The American Legion 鈥渄esigned the main features of what became the Serviceman鈥檚 Readjustment Act and pushed it through Congress. The bill unanimously passed both chambers of Congress in the spring of 1944鈥� (The National Archives). And President Roosevelt signed in into law just days after the invasion of Normandy. It was American Legion publicist, Jack Cejnar, who called it the 鈥淕I Bill of Rights,鈥� leading to the name of these financial benefits to service members throughout the years. Within the next seven years of it being signed into action, about 8 million veterans received educational benefits from this bill.
Types of GI Bill Programs
There are several , each tailored to different service members and veterans:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill: This is the most widely used in this day, veterans and service members must have started their service on or after September 11, 2001. It covers tuition, fees, housing, and books. If your last day on active duty was on or after January 1, 2013, you can use your benefits anytime, they won鈥檛 expire. If your last day on active duty was on or before January 1, 2013, you have 15 years from your last day on active duty to use these benefits. You can get up to 36 months of benefits with this GI Bill.
- Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD): The required service date depends on certain factors for this GI Bill 鈥� when you served on active duty or if your military pay decreased, for example. However, you must have served between two and four years, where the minimum amount of time depends on other factors. to read more on the Veteran鈥檚 Affairs (VA) website. You have 10 years from your last day on active duty to use these benefits. You can get up to 36 months of benefits with this GI Bill.
- Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR): This is for service members who agreed to serve for a period after June 30, 1985, and you must have agreed to serve 6 years in the Selected Reserve or you鈥檙e an officer in the Selected Reserve and you agreed to service 6 years in addition to your initial service obligation (Veterans Affairs). You can only use these benefits while serving in the Selected Reserve, once you leave, you are no longer eligible. You can get up to 36 months of benefits with this GI Bill.
- Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E): Those service members are eligible to apply for VR&E if they didn鈥檛 receive a dishonorable discharge and have a service connected disability rating of at least 10% from the VA. If those service members were discharged before January 1, 2013, your 鈥渂asic period of eligibility ends 12 years from one of two dates鈥� of whichever comes later: the date you received notice of your date of separation from active duty or the date you received your first VA service connected disability rating (Veterans Affairs). If you were discharged from active duty on or after January 1, 2013, there鈥檚 no time limit to use these benefits. If you were discharged before January 1, 2013, you have 12 years from 1 of the aforementioned dates to use your benefits. You can get up to 48 months of this benefit.
- The Yellow Ribbon Program: This benefit stems from the Post 9/11 GI Bill at the 100% benefit level. This can help you pay for higher out-of-state, private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition and fees that the original Post 9/11 GI Bill doesn鈥檛 cover. to read the requirements for this program.
What the GI Bill Covers
- College tuition and fees: Depending on the program, your GI Bill benefits can cover full in-state tuition at public colleges or up to a capped amount at a private intuition.
- Housing allowance: The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides a monthly housing stipend based on the location of the school.
- Books and supplies: Veterans or service members can receive up to $1,000 annually to help with supplies for their classes.
How to Apply
- Determine Your Eligibility: The first step is to verify which GI Bill program you’re eligible for by visiting the .
- Gather Your Documents: You’ll need a copy of your DD-214 discharge papers, information on your desired school or program, and any prior education records.
- Submit an Application: You can apply online through the VA鈥檚 eBenefits portal or by mailing in a paper application (VA Form 22-1990).
- Get Accepted: Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a Certificate of Eligibility, which you鈥檒l submit to your school鈥檚 veterans’ affairs office.
Maximize Your GI Bill Benefits
We answered how does the GI bill work? As a benefit meant to empower those who have risked their lives for our country, it is imperative that veterans and service members know what they can use within their education. The GI Bill is an invaluable resource that has empowered countless veterans and their families to pursue higher education and career advancement after military service. 麻豆社 is proud to not only have veterans working within our institution, but to also provide key benefits to service members and veterans to earn their education. In many ways, we support our military community by:
- Offering understanding and support from those who have been in your shoes.
- Helping service members apply their military training and education to applicable credits in their programs.
- Transferring credits from other institutions to give you a head start on your career.
- Providing exclusive military grants and benefits so that veterans and service members do not have to worry about the financial aspect of education after serving our country.
Learn more about how we value those who have risked their lives to keep our country safe by going to an.edu/military.
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Works Cited
National Archives. (n.d.). Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (1944).
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Compare VA education benefits.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Eligibility for veteran readiness and employment (Chapter 31).
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD).
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Yellow Ribbon Program.
