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The GI Bill is a powerful education benefit for veterans, covering a large portion of college tuition and fees. But exactly how much of your college costs will the GI Bill cover? Read on to learn all about GI Bill coverage amounts for tuition, housing, books, and more.
Overview of GI Bill Education Benefits
The GI Bill refers to various Department of Veterans Affairs education programs that provide money for school to eligible veterans, spouses and dependents. The most widely used GI Bill option is the Post-9/11 GI Bill, providing funding for college, graduate school training programs, licensing and certification tests, and other education pursuits.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers up to the full cost of in-state public college tuition and fees. It also provides generous housing and book stipends. However, private school and out-of-state tuition coverage is capped each year. Overall benefits are tiered based on your length of military service.
Below are details on how much the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers for tuition, housing, books, and supplies when going to college in 2024-2025.
Tuition and Fees Coverage
The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers different maximum benefit amounts for tuition and fees based on the type of school you attend:
Public School In-State Tuition
- Covers 100% of in-state tuition and fees
Public School Out-of-State Tuition
- Capped at $28,937.09 for 2024-2025
Private Non-Profit Schools
- Capped at $28,937.09 for 2024-2025
Foreign Schools
- Capped at $28,937.09 for 2024-2025
Vocational/Non-College Degree Programs
- Capped at $28,937.09 for 2024-2025
So at a public, in-state institution, the GI Bill covers your full tuition and fees no matter the cost. But at private or foreign schools, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will only cover up to $28,937.09 for the 2024-2025 school year.
The Yellow Ribbon Program can help make up the difference if your tuition exceeds the GI Bill benefit cap. Schools voluntarily contribute matching funds to cover the gap.
Monthly Housing Allowance
The Post-9/11 GI Bill also provides a monthly housing stipend based on your school’s location to help with living expenses.
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Capped at the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents, $2,355 in 2024-2025
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Those attending foreign schools get up to $2,355 per month
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Online students get up to $1,177.50 per month
The housing allowance you qualify for depends on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for an E-5 with dependents where your school is located. The national average for 2024-2025 is $2,355 per month.
Books and Supplies Stipend
Each academic year, the Post-9/11 GI Bill provides:
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Up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies
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Up to $83 per month for those in vocational/non-degree programs
The books and supplies stipend is prorated if you’re only eligible for a partial Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit.
In Total
For those eligible for 100% of benefits attending full-time:
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Full in-state public tuition
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Housing allowance up to $2,355 per month
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Up to $1,000 annually for books and supplies
That’s potentially over $25,000 per year in total benefits in addition to full tuition costs.
Percentage of Maximum Benefits
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays out a percentage of the maximum benefit rates based on your total length of active duty service:
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100% for 36 months of active duty service
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90% for 30-35 months of service
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80% for 24-29 months of service
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70% for 18-23 months of service
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60% for 6-17 months of service
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50% for 90 days – 5 months of service
Your Post-9/11 GI Bill percentage determines the amount of tuition and fees that are covered and the housing, books, and supplies stipends you receive.
For example, with 60% of benefits, only 60% of the maximum tuition cap would be covered. You would get 60% of the housing allowance and books/supplies stipends.
Covering the Tuition Gap
For those attending higher cost private colleges or graduate programs, the Post-9/11 GI Bill may not cover the full amount of tuition and fees after the benefit cap.
Here are some options to help cover the gap between GI Bill benefits and actual tuition costs:
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Apply for scholarships, grants, work-study, student loans, etc.
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Use tuition assistance from your military branch
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Attend an out-of-state public school and pay the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition
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Take advantage of in-state tuition laws and pay in-state tuition even if from out of state
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Enroll in the school’s Yellow Ribbon Program to get additional funds
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Apply for financial aid, like Pell Grants, at your school
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Use education savings plans like 529 plans to supplement costs
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Look into employer tuition reimbursement programs
With smart planning, veterans can use every education dollar available through the GI Bill and other resources to earn their degrees and succeed after service!
How long does the GI Bill last?
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, if you served at least 36 months of active duty, then you’re eligible for coverage of up to 36 months of college or career training. The 36 months of classes or training won’t have to be consecutive — but if your service ended before Jan. 1, 2013, you’ll need to redeem all of your benefits within 15 years after separation. There’s no deadline if your service ended on or after Jan. 1, 2013.
What does the GI Bill cover?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays for many of the costs of attending school, including:
- Tuition and fees: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will pay the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at a public college, but it caps the benefit if you attend a private institution.
- Money for housing: Students enrolled in school more than half time receive a housing allowance at the end of each month. The amount is based on the cost of living where the school is located.
- Books and supplies: GI Bill recipients also get up to $1,000 at the beginning of each school term to pay for textbooks and supplies.
- Moving expenses: Students who need to move from a rural area to attend college may qualify for a one-time payment of $500 to cover moving expenses.
How Much Money I Made Using The Post 9/11 GI Bill
FAQ
How much money does the GI Bill give for college?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill can pay your full resident tuition at a public college or university. If you attend a private or foreign school, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay up to $28,937. 09 for the 2024-2025 academic year. An academic year is from Aug. 1 to July 31.
What is the maximum GI Bill benefit?
You may be able to get VA e-education benefits for up to 48 months, but not Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR) benefits. But many applicants are eligible for only 36 months.
How much does the GI Bill pay monthly?
As part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may also get a monthly housing allowance based on the ZIP code of the school or campus where you attend most of your classes. This stipend averages $1,934. 80 a month but can exceed $2,700 depending on where you go to school.
Does VA chapter 35 pay full tuition?
You will get up to $1,401 a month in stipends plus tuition and fees up to the full cost of attendance (COA).
How much does the GI Bill pay for school?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill can pay your full resident tuition at a public college or university. If you attend a private or foreign school, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay up to $28,937. 09 for the 2024-2025 academic year. An academic year is from Aug. 1 to July 31. What if My School Costs More?.
Will my GI Bill benefits cover my tuition & fees?
Your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will cover you at the percentage you’re eligible for. Say the in-state tuition at your public school is $22,000. The amount we’ll pay for you depends on what percentage you’re entitled to. As long as you are eligible for 100% of your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, we will pay for your tuition and fees in full, which amounts to $22,000.
Does GI Bill cover out-of-State School?
There are public schools outside of your state that will charge you the out-of-state tuition rate if you want to go there. These schools do not offer in-state rates to Veterans. It’s important to note that your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will only cover you up to the amount of the in-state tuition rate. You’ll be responsible for the remaining amount.
How much does GI Bill increase a year?
Effective Aug. 1. People who use the Post-9/11 GI Bill to go to a private or foreign school will be able to get up to $27,120 more each year. 05 to $28,937. 09. Those who are enrolled in flight schools will see their annual maximum GI Bill benefit increase from $15,497. 15 to $16,535. 46.
How much money do GI Bill recipients get?
Each month, people who get the GI Bill get money for housing based on how much it costs to live where their school is located, up to a certain amount. Also, they get up to $1,000 at the start of each school year to buy books and other school supplies.
Can I go to a public school if I’m GI Bill eligible?
By law, if you want to go to a public school outside of your home state that has VA-approved programs, that school has to charge you the same amount as if you were in that state. Your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will cover you at the percentage you’re eligible for.
