Veterans Benefits

For many eligible veterans, the Post-9/11 GI Bill provides more attractive benefits than other veteran education benefit programs. However, veterans should carefully review all their options before making the irrevocable decision to apply for and utilize Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. When considering different scenarios, students should pay careful attention to the differences that occur when changing from full-time to half-time enrollment status, as well as to the amount of the monthly basic allowance for housing, which will vary based on the location of the school. In addition to reviewing the amount of monetary benefits, students should also consider the following:

• What type of training or education are you planning to pursue?
• Is the timeframe to utilize benefits important to you?
• Are you eligible for the transfer of entitlement benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill Program?
• Do you have remaining entitlement under other VA education programs?

A service member can use CH 1606 and Military Tuition Assistance at the same time if enrolled half-time or greater. Those who are less than half-time cannot combine the benefits.

A service member can use the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Military Tuition Assistance for the same course. After processing TA for the tuition and fees, the remaining balance may be covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

A service member can use the CH 30 GI Bill and Military Tuition Assistance only when TA does not pay for the entire cost of a course. This process is referred to as Top-Up; whereafter processing TA for the tuition and fees, the remaining balance could be covered by CH 30 GI Bill.

For those with 100 percent eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, it is often the best option to use Post-9/11 instead of IVG or the ING Grant.  However, for those with less than 100 percent eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill, it may be necessary to also use the IVG or ING Grant to help cover the remaining tuition and fee charges not covered by the VA. Effective July 1, 2015, for veterans who are eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at less than 100% and who use those benefits with the IVG Grant or ING Grant programs in the same term, the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will be applied first (VA will be the first payer), and any remaining eligible tuition and fees would be covered by IVG Grant and/or ING Grant, and the amount of IVG and ING Grant benefits used will be prorated based on the percentage of the charges that are covered by the ISAC programs.

Military Tuition Assistance is granted to a service member with the intention of attending school for the duration of a course. A service member who withdraws may no longer be eligible for the full amount of this award. To comply with the Department of Defense (DOD) policy, unearned TA funds will be returned on a prorated basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were granted. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period. When a service member stops attending a course, unearned funds are returned to the individual branch. If this occurs as a result of a military service obligation, will not result in a debt to the service member for the returned portion in compliance with the DOD policy.