Veteran Benefits
GI Bill Education Benefits (Post-9/11, Montgomery & Transfer to Family)
The GI Bill helps veterans and their families pay for college, trade school, certifications, apprenticeships, and more. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most-used version, covering tuition, housing, and books. Many older veterans still have unused entitlement they can use themselves for a second career - or transfer to a spouse or child.
There’s a free calculator on this page - estimate your GI Bill tuition, housing & book benefits. No sign-up, no cost.
Who this is for
The GI Bill is not just for young troops. Many older veterans still have unused months they can spend on a second career, a certification, or trade school - or pass to a spouse or child. But the rules on transferring and on switching programs are strict, and a wrong move can cost you.
In plain language
What GI Bill Education Benefits (Post-9/11, Montgomery & Transfer to Family) covers
- Post-9/11 (Chapter 33) - tuition, housing allowance, and book stipend
- Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) and when to switch
- Transferring unused benefits to a spouse or children
- The Yellow Ribbon Program and the "Forever GI Bill" time limits
36 months
Of education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
100%
In-state public tuition and fees paid at the full benefit tier
Transfer
Unused months to a spouse or child while you still serve
See what your GI Bill is worth
Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit estimator
The GI Bill is not just for young troops - many older veterans still have unused months they can spend on a second career, a certification, or trade school. Tell us your qualifying service and school, and we'll estimate your benefit percentage, the tuition and fees the VA would cover, your monthly housing allowance range, and your books stipend - plus where the Yellow Ribbon Program can close any gap.
Your qualifying active-duty service
Months served after Sept 11, 2001
Add up all your qualifying active-duty time - it sets your benefit percentage.
Your service places you in the 100% benefit tier - at least 36 months of qualifying service.
What kind of school?
At a public school the VA covers up to 100% of the in-state resident rate at your tier. Out-of-state students can often close the gap through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Yearly tuition & fees
What the school charges a year
Enter the in-state resident rate
How will you attend?
Tuition & fees are paid in full at your tier no matter your pace, but the housing allowance and book stipend are prorated by how many credits you take. Online-only students receive a reduced housing rate.
Estimated tuition & fees covered / year
$12,000
at your 100% Post-9/11 GI Bill tier
- Books & supplies
- $1,000/yr
- Housing allowance
- ~$1,400-$2,800/mo
- Entitlement
- up to 36 months
Estimate only. Your housing allowance is set by your school’s ZIP code and changes yearly, and the private-school cap is updated each August. Confirm exact amounts on va.gov.
Discharged on or after Jan 1, 2013? Your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits never expire under the Forever GI Bill.
This calculator is free. No sign-up, no catch.
Most people in this business hide tools like this behind a paywall or a sign-up form. We don’t. Use it as much as you need. And if you want a real accredited agent to look at your actual claim, we’re one call away — it’s free to talk, and free to file your claim.
Albert L. Thombs Jr. — VA-accredited claims agent (#45147), a disabled veteran with a team of advocates who do this every day.
The full picture
Everything you need to know
Nothing hidden behind a click. Here is the whole story in plain language, so you can decide what fits your situation.
Key facts & current figures
- The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) provides up to 36 months of education benefits - it pays tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, and a books & supplies stipend (up to about $1,000 a year; confirm on va.gov).
- Tuition is paid in full at public in-state schools; private and foreign schools are covered up to a national maximum, with the Yellow Ribbon Program helping cover the gap at participating schools.
- You can transfer unused benefits to a spouse or children - but the transfer must be requested while you are still serving (generally after 6 years of service, agreeing to serve 4 more), through the DoD milConnect portal.
- The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) is a separate, older program; if you qualify for both you can switch to Post-9/11 (an irrevocable choice) and may get a partial refund of your $1,200 contribution.
- Thanks to the "Forever GI Bill," veterans whose last discharge was on or after Jan 1, 2013 have no expiration date on Post-9/11 benefits; earlier discharges generally had a 15-year window.
General figures, current as of December 2025 and reviewed each year. Your exact amount depends on your situation - always confirm on va.gov.
What the Post-9/11 GI Bill pays
- Up to 36 months of benefits: tuition and fees paid directly to the school, a monthly housing allowance (based on the E-5 with-dependents rate for your school's ZIP code), and a books & supplies stipend up to about $1,000 per year (confirm on va.gov).
- Public in-state tuition is covered in full. Private and foreign schools are capped at a national maximum rate; the Yellow Ribbon Program can cover part or all of the remaining tuition at participating schools.
- The benefit covers far more than four-year degrees - trade and technical schools, licensing and certification tests, apprenticeships and on-the-job training, and national testing fees can all qualify.
Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) and choosing between them
- The Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty is an older program that pays a flat monthly amount for up to 36 months and required a $1,200 contribution during service.
- If you qualify for both, you may elect the Post-9/11 GI Bill - but the switch is irrevocable, so compare carefully. Most veterans attending a traditional school do better on Post-9/11 because it pays tuition plus housing.
- Veterans who switch from Chapter 30 may receive a proportional refund of the $1,200 contribution, paid out only after they have used all their Post-9/11 months.
Transferring benefits to a spouse or children
- Transfers are approved by the Department of Defense and must be requested while still serving - generally after 6 years of service with an agreement to serve 4 more - through the milConnect portal.
- A spouse can use transferred benefits right away and after you separate; a child can use them only after you have served 10 years, must have a high school diploma (or be 18), and must finish by age 26.
- Once approved, the family member applies with VA Form 22-1990e. After you leave service you can still reallocate months among people you already named, but you cannot add new beneficiaries.
Time limits and stacking with other benefits
- Under the "Forever GI Bill" (Colmery Act), veterans whose last discharge was on or after Jan 1, 2013 have no expiration; those discharged earlier generally must use benefits within 15 years.
- Veterans with two or more qualifying periods of active duty may be entitled to up to 48 months combined across the Montgomery and Post-9/11 programs (the Rudisill rule).
- The GI Bill can also work alongside VR&E (Chapter 31); a counselor can help you decide the best order to protect the most benefits.
Your complete benefit picture
Tuition + housing + books
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays your school directly, sends a monthly housing allowance based on your school's ZIP code, and adds up to $1,000 a year for books. Discharged on or after Jan 1, 2013? It never expires. Confirm your tier and rates on va.gov.
Pass it on
You can move unused GI Bill months to your family
If you qualify at the 100% tier, the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers full in-state public tuition, and the Yellow Ribbon program can close the gap at many private and out-of-state schools.
While you are still serving, you can transfer unused entitlement to a spouse or child through milConnect - a decision worth making before you separate.
Montgomery to Post-9/11
Switching from the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) to Post-9/11 is irrevocable, but can refund part of your $1,200 contribution - compare both before you elect.
How family members apply
After you transfer entitlement, your dependent files VA Form 22-1990e using their own Login.gov or ID.me account.
A clear path forward
Your step-by-step action plan
No rush and no pressure - but a little order helps. Applying is always free.
First
Compare your programs
Use the VA GI Bill Comparison Tool to weigh Post-9/11, Montgomery, and VR&E against your school and goals.
To apply
File Form 22-1990
Submit your Application for VA Education Benefits on va.gov to get your Certificate of Eligibility.
Before you separate
Transfer to family
Request the transfer through milConnect while on active duty - you generally owe additional service to lock it in.
At school
Have the school certify
Give your Certificate of Eligibility to the school certifying official so VA pays tuition and starts your housing allowance.
Who to call & where to go
These are free, official VA lines. Have your Social Security number handy when you call.
Education / GI Bill
GI Bill, DEA (Chapter 35), and the Fry Scholarship.
VA Benefits Hotline
Compensation, pension, and general claim questions.
Rather have us handle it?
No phone tag, no hold music. Call our office and a real, VA-accredited person walks you through it - start to finish.
702-992-4883Not sure where to start?
Apply for the GI Bill on va.gov using VA Form 22-1990 (or 22-1995 to change your program or school). To transfer benefits to a dependent, the service member requests it through milConnect while still serving; the dependent then applies with VA Form 22-1990e using their own Login.gov or ID.me account. Your school's certifying official and your VSO can help you enroll and get your Certificate of Eligibility.
More benefits for veterans
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