Install
Veterans & Military
The Post-9/11 GI Bill
Who qualifies, how much of the benefit each tier pays, what it covers, and how to pass it to family, with the payment caps for the current academic year.
Who qualifies
VA: Post-9/11 GI Bill ›- You served at least 90 days on active duty, all at once or with breaks, on or after September 11, 2001; or
- you received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001 and were honorably discharged after any amount of service; or
- you served at least 30 continuous days on or after September 11, 2001 and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability; or
- you are a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or service member.
For service that ended on or after January 1, 2013 the benefits do not expire (the "Forever GI Bill"). For earlier service they expire 15 years after the last separation from active duty. Some periods, such as service-academy time and ROTC scholarship time, do not count.
Eligibility tiers
| Active-duty service after September 10, 2001 | Share of the full benefit |
|---|---|
| At least 36 months (1,095 days) of active duty, or a Purple Heart, or 30 continuous days and a service-connected discharge | 100% |
| 30 to 35 months (910 to 1,094 days) | 90% |
| 24 to 29 months (730 to 909 days) | 80% |
| 18 to 23 months (545 to 729 days) | 70% |
| 6 to 17 months (180 to 544 days) | 60% |
| 90 days to 5 months (90 to 179 days) | 50% |
Multiply the full rates below by your percentage to find the most VA will pay in a year.
Tuition and fees, August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027
| School or program | Most VA pays per academic year at the full benefit |
|---|---|
| Public institution of higher learning (state university or community college) | Net in-state tuition and mandatory fees (no cap) |
| Private or foreign institution of higher learning | $30,908.34 |
| Non-college degree programs (HVAC, truck driving, EMT, and similar) | $30,908.34 |
| Flight training (non-degree certificate or rating) | $17,661.89 |
| Correspondence school | $15,012.59 |
VA pays tuition and fees directly to the school. Caps for private and foreign schools are updated each year.
Monthly housing allowance
Find BAH rates (DTMO) ›The allowance is based on the Defense Department's monthly Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-5 with dependents, at the ZIP code where the student attends most classes. VA uses the 2026 BAH rates for payments between August 1, 2026 and July 31, 2027, and pays a prorated share based on the eligibility tier and the rate of pursuit (how many credits or hours the student takes).
- Online-only students: based on half the national average, up to $1,198 a month.
- Foreign schools: based on the national average, up to $2,396 a month.
- No allowance for active-duty members, students at half time or less, correspondence or flight training, or time between terms.
A one-time payment is available to those who move from a rural area (a county with 6 or fewer people per square mile) at least 500 miles to attend school, or who must fly to get there.
The housing allowance is a function of the BAH table, not a number set by VA; look up your school's ZIP code for the exact amount.
Transfer to a spouse or children
VA: transfer benefits ›A service member on active duty or in the Selected Reserve can transfer unused benefits to a spouse or dependent children if they have completed at least 6 years of service when the request is approved and agree to serve 4 more years, and the family member is enrolled in DEERS. A Purple Heart recipient needs no service minimum but must request the transfer while still on active duty. A child can begin using transferred benefits after the member has completed 10 years of service, and must be under 26.
The Defense Department decides on transfers, through milConnect, not VA.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Find a Yellow Ribbon school ›For students whose tuition and fees are higher than the annual cap (private or foreign schools) or who attend a public school as a nonresident, participating schools can contribute toward the extra cost and VA matches the contribution. It is open to those eligible for the maximum benefit (including a Purple Heart or service-connected discharge), to active-duty members with 36 months of service, to spouses and children using transferred benefits, and to Fry Scholars. The school must offer the program and have room under its agreement with VA.
Compare schools
VA's own GI Bill Comparison Tool shows what a school costs, what benefits it is approved for, whether it takes part in the Yellow Ribbon Program, and how its graduates fare.
Verified against VA.gov on November 8, 2026 (rates page updated October 13, 2026). Rates apply August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027.
Latest news about the GI Bill ›
Sources: VA.gov: Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), VA.gov: Post-9/11 GI Bill rates, VA.gov: Yellow Ribbon Program, VA.gov: Transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Updated November 8, 2026.