Can the GI Bill be used at private schools? Overseas schools? The answer to both questions is yes, but there are restrictions.
The GI Bill comes in different forms. Older veterans and military members may have signed up for the Montgomery GI Bill, while newer members will have signed up for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and are eligible for extra benefits under the Forever GI Bill legislation that Congress passed to improve benefits and add protections.
Some potential students may not know which GI Bill program they qualify for, and some may wish to know about transferring out of the Montgomery GI Bill program into the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Others may wish to learn how they can transfer their GI Bill benefits to a spouse or dependent child. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs directly for issues such as these.
The nature of your GI Bill benefits may affect your school choices in some cases. For example, under the Montgomery GI Bill, there is no housing stipend. The Post 9/11 GI Bill does offer a housing stipend. You can use the GI Bill benefits comparison tool (see below) to get a better look at how these benefits vary between the two.
The GI Bill is one of the most generous education benefit programs in the United States providing financial assistance to veterans and their families pursuing higher education. A common question that comes up is whether the GI Bill covers tuition at private colleges and universities. The short answer is yes the GI Bill does pay for private colleges, but there are some limitations.
Overview of the GI Bill
The GI Bill was first made law in 1944. Its goal was to help WWII veterans get used to life in the civilian world by paying for training and education programs. The program has been changed and added to several times since then. There are now a few different GI Bill programs, but the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the one that most recent veterans use.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides substantial aid that covers tuition and fees housing books and supplies, and other costs. One of the big advantages of the Post-9/11 GI Bill is that it allows veterans to attend private and out-of-state public schools that were previously unaffordable.
GI Bill Coverage at Private Colleges
The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay up to the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges and universities. For private schools and out-of-state public schools, there is an annual maximum benefit that the VA will cover.
For the 2022-2023 school year, the maximum tuition and fees payment for private colleges under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is $26,381.94. This amount is adjusted annually based on increases in the cost of education determined by the Department of Education.
So if you attend a private college where tuition and fees are less than $26,381.94, the GI Bill will cover the full amount. If costs exceed the limit, you would be responsible for paying the difference out of pocket.
Some private colleges and universities participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which helps bridge the gap between GI Bill benefits and the actual cost of tuition and fees. Under this program, schools enter agreements with the VA to split remaining tuition costs not covered by the GI Bill.
Using GI Bill at Expensive Private Colleges
Top private colleges like those in the Ivy League often have annual tuition and fees well above the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s maximum benefit. For example, Harvard costs over $55,000 per year. For veterans set on attending one of these elite private institutions, the key is stacking multiple funding sources:
- GI Bill – Use the full tuition benefit, even if it doesn’t cover total costs.
- Yellow Ribbon – See if your school participates in the program to help cover extra tuition expenses.
- Scholarships – Apply for private scholarships designated for veterans and military families.
- Federal Aid – Utilize grants, work-study, and federal loans available to veterans.
- Employer Aid – Some employers offer tuition assistance programs or reimbursement benefits.
It takes a lot of planning and coordination, but with the right combination of financial aid, attending any private college is possible with the GI Bill. Just be prepared for some out-of-pocket costs.
Tips for Maximizing Your Benefit at Private Colleges
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Stick to 4-year undergraduate degrees to get the most value from your GI Bill. Graduate programs at private universities will eat through benefits quickly.
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Consider Yellow Ribbon schools first if you know your costs will exceed the GI Bill’s maximum.
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Complete your FAFSA early and accept all need-based federal and state grants.
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Look for private scholarships for veterans, military spouses, ROTC, etc.
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Attend an affordable community college for prerequisites and general eds before transferring to minimize GI Bill use.
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Compare costs across similar private schools in your area or region.
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Negotiate with the financial aid office for potential cost breaks.
With strategic planning, veterans can make the most of their GI Bill benefits at private colleges. Just be ready for some out-of-pocket expenses and do your homework to maximize all possible funding sources.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill
There are more ways to go to public, private, and international schools with the Post-9/11 GI Bill than with the Montgomery GI Bill. The school and program you choose must both be approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Under this version, students receive the lesser of the “actual tuition & fees” your school charges OR a national maximum (set per academic year) for private and foreign schools.
Some private schools may need Yellow Ribbon funding, but the VA website tells potential private school attendees that they can only get this funding if they are eligible for the full 10% disability benefit rate (based on service requirement), and the matching contribution from the school and VA cannot be more than the full cost of the school. ”.
Unlike the Montgomery GI Bill, the Post 9/11 GI Bill pays a housing stipend for public and private school students. This is based on the enlisted BAH housing allowance for E-5 service members at the with-dependents rate.
The Difference Between Attending Public And Private Schools
Attending private school on the GI Bill means that your tuition may not be covered 100%. To accommodate this, explore your Yellow Ribbon Program options which are designed to close the gap between the GI Bill and the rest of the cost of the private school’s tuition.
There may also be state-level assistance, but to claim those you will need to contact the state Veteran Affairs office where your school is located.
Yellow Ribbon options are not offered to those attending classes while on Active Duty. Yellow Ribbon options are also not offered to those attending school overseas unless the school has a main campus stateside. Spouses of active duty personnel are also ineligible for Yellow Ribbon funds.
Stop!!! Wasting Your GI Bill On Fake Colleges and Universities
FAQ
What does the GI Bill not cover?
What does the GI Bill not cover? The Post-9/11 GI Bill may not cover all of your higher education expenses. Some examples of what it won’t cover are: The full cost of private or foreign school: Tuition assistance is capped at a national maximum of $28,937 per academic year at private and foreign institutions.
Does GI Bill cover 100% tuition?
Please let us know if you are eligible for 100% of your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. We will pay for your full $22,000 in tuition and fees. Please let us know if you are eligible for 15% of your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. We will pay for $15,400 of your tuition and fees.
What is the maximum the GI Bill will pay?
The maximum benefit provides: Full tuition & fees directly to the school for all public school in-state students. For those attending private or foreign schools’ tuition & fees are capped at $27,120. 05 for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Will my GI Bill pay for Harvard?
Once accepted, students who are eligible for VA benefits can use their GI Bill® benefits to pay for the rest of the classes they need to finish their degrees. Harvard University Extension will submit certified enrollment to the VA, once formally accepted into a degree program.
Does GI Bill cover in-state tuition?
If you want to attend a public school in the state where you live, the school will offer you in-state tuition. Your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will cover you at the percentage you’re eligible for. Example: If the in-state tuition at your public school is $22,000, the amount we’ll cover depends on the percentage you’re entitled to.
Does GI Bill cover out-of-State School?
If you want to attend an out-of-state public school that doesn’t offer in-state rates to Veterans, the school will charge the out-of-state tuition rate. Your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will cover you at the percentage you’re eligible for only up to the amount of the in-state tuition rate. You’ll be responsible for the remaining amount.
Can I attend a private school using the GI Bill?
Yes, you can attend a private school using the GI Bill. However, your tuition may not be covered 100%. To accommodate this, explore your Yellow Ribbon Program options which are designed to close the gap between the GI Bill and the rest of the cost of the private school’s tuition.
How much does GI Bill tuition cost?
If you’re entitled to 70% of your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, we’ll cover $15,400 of your tuition and fees. You would be responsible for the remaining $6,600 (22,000 x .70 = 15,400). If you want to attend an out-of-state public school that offers VA-approved programs, under the Veterans Choice Act, the school must offer you the in-state rate.
How do I close the gap between the GI Bill and tuition?
To cover the difference between the GI Bill and the tuition costs at a private school, explore your Yellow Ribbon Program options. There may also be state-level assistance, but to claim those, you will need to contact the state Veteran Affairs office where your school is located.
Can I get a GI Bill education benefit?
Find out if you can get this education benefit. If you have 2 or more qualifying periods of active duty, you may now qualify for up to 48 months of entitlement. You must be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and either the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) or the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR).
