What are the education benefits of the GI bill?
- English
- Español
With the Post 9/11 GI Bill, members of the military may be eligible for up to 36 months of educational benefits for college tuition and fees, housing, books and supplies, as well as money to move if you live in a rural area.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a generous educational benefit for servicemembers, veterans, and military families.
How much GI Bill benefit I qualify for?
The total benefit you qualify for depends on how much active service you’ve had since September 10, 2001, which is then calculated based on the maximum benefit.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers the GI Bill Comparison Tool to help you find out how much you may be eligible to receive. To see the range of possible benefits, answer a few questions about your military status and service, the type of institution and school you plan to attend, as well as whether you plan to take classes in person or online.
The GI Bill Comparison Tool provides key information about college affordability. It also includes the number of students receiving VA educational benefits at each school.
How do I apply for GI Bill education benefits?
You can apply for the GI Bill and related benefits at VA’s website . If you are eligible for the GI Bill apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) as soon as possible. When you first apply, it can take about a month to process your GI Bill application.
Before you apply, gather the documents and information that you’ll need:
- Social Security number
- Bank account direct deposit information
- Education and military history
- Basic information about the school or training facility you want to attend or are attending now
Once you are ready to go, you can start the application process . You can also work with a trained professional with a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) who can help you pick the right program. Find an accredited representative .
Who to contact with questions about my GI Bill benefits?
For questions about your GI Bill benefits, contact the Department of Veteran Affairs at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). Be advised that this line only accepts calls from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CT from Monday through Friday, and you may experience long hold times. If your hearing is impaired, call 1-800-829-4833.
Learn more about how to navigate the military financial lifecycle