VA begins accepting Post-9/11 GI Bill applications

  • Published
  • By 944th Fighter Wing
  • Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The Department of Veterans Affairs will begin accepting applications May 1 for the Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33.) Payments for chapter 33 will not be processed until Aug. 1, 2009.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after Sept. 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. Individuals must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The program will pay eligible individuals:
- tuition and fees directly to the school, not to exceed the maximum in-state tuition and fees at a public Institution of Higher Learning. Click here to see a chart of maximum rates for 2008-2009.

- a monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school. 

- an annual books and supplies stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment.

- a one-time rural benefit payment for eligible individuals.

This benefit is payable only for training at an Institute of Higher Learning and if enrolled exclusively in online training, individuals will not receive the housing allowance. Individuals on active duty will not receive the housing allowance or books and supplies stipend.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally benefits are payable for 15 years following release from active duty.

The application form for the Post-9/11 GI Bill is available online with instructions for submitting completed applications. 

The form requires individuals currently eligible for another education benefit make an irrevocable election from their existing program to chapter 33. Typically individuals who are eligible for more than one benefit  may use a combined total of 48 months of entitlement. 

Therefore, those individuals eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill program should be advised that if entitlement remains under MGIB, the number of months the chapter 33 entitlement individuals would be eligible for will be equal to the number of months remaining under MGIB. However, if all MGIB entitlements are exhausted, then individuals may be entitled to a maximum of 12 additional months of entitlement under chapter 33.

For more information about the GI Bill or education benefits, call (623) 856-5318.

(Information collected from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.)