By Lisa Gunggoll, Illinois Patriot Education Fund
The Post-9/11 GI Bill became law on June 30, 2008, and was originally proposed by Senator Jim Webb from Virginia in another form in January of 2007. His intent was to help current veterans as much as the original GI Bill helped what many have called “The Greatest Generation” in America following World War II.
Essentially, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is was an expansion of that earlier version, with the main provisions of the act being 100% funding of a public four-year undergraduate education to any veteran who has served three years of active duty since September 11, 2001. In addition, the veteran has the option of transferring the benefits to a spouse or children after serving (or agreeing to serve) for a period of 10 years.
The original Post-9/11 GI Bill’s provisions went into effect on August 1, 2009. Pending changes will go into effect in August and October of 2011.
Following are additional details and provisions of the Bill as outlined in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ official website:
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
As of August 1, 2009, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is effective for training. Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, and vocational/technical training. All training programs must be offered by an institution of higher learning (IHL) and approved for GI Bill benefits. Additionally, tutorial assistance, and licensing and certification test reimbursement are approved under the Post- 9/11 GI Bill.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay your tuition based upon the highest in-state tuition charged by a public educational institution in the state where the school is located. The amount of support that an individual may qualify for depends on where they live and what type of degree they are pursuing.
This Post 9-11 GI Bill will pay eligible individuals:
- Tuition & fees directly to the school not to exceed the maximum in-state tuition & fees at a public Institution of Higher Learning.
- For more expensive tuition, a program exists which may help to reimburse the difference. This program is called the “Yellow Ribbon Program”. A monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school.
- A monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school.
- For those attending foreign schools (schools without a main campus in the U.S.) the BAH rate is fixed at $1,347.00 for 2011 and $1,348.00 for 2010.
- An annual books & 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 Institution of Higher Learning (IHL). If you are enrolled exclusively in online training you will not receive the housing allowance. If you are on active duty you will not receive the housing allowance or books & supplies stipend. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill also offers some service members the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill to dependents.
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