The Post-9/11 GI Bill: A Primer




The Post-9/11 GI Bill: A Primer
Updated September 23, 2021
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
R42755




The Post-9/11 GI Bill: A Primer

Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers several educational assistance programs,
most notably the GI Bil s, that provide funds to or on behalf of veterans and servicemembers and
their family members to facilitate their enrollment in and pursuit of approved programs of
education. The Post-9/11 GI Bil has represented more than 70% of total GI Bil participation and
more than 80% of spending in each year since FY2013. In FY2022, the program is estimated to
benefit over 600,000 individuals and expend almost $10 bil ion. For a description of the other
veterans educational assistance programs, see CRS Report R42785, Veterans’ Educational
Assistance Programs and Benefits: A Primer.
The Post-9/11 Veterans’ Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Post-9/11 GI Bil )—enacted as Title
V of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110-252) on June 30, 2008—is the newest
GI Bil and went into effect on August 1, 2009. There were four main drivers for the Post-9/11 GI
Bil : (1) providing parity of benefits for reservists and members of the regular Armed Forces, (2)
ensuring comprehensive educational benefits, (3) meeting military recruiting goals, and (4)
improving military retention through transferability of benefits.
The Post-9/11 GI Bil provides benefits to veterans and servicemembers and their family
members. Veterans and servicemembers who serve an aggregate minimum of 90 days on active
duty after September 10, 2001, and continue serving or are discharged honorably may be eligible.
In addition, individuals who were awarded the Purple Heart for service after September 10, 2001,
and individuals who have been discharged or released for a service-connected disability after
serving a minimum of 30 continuous days on active duty after September 10, 2001, may be
eligible. There are two mechanisms by which dependents of individuals with military service may
be eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits. Transferred Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits may be available
to the dependents of servicemembers who serve for at least 10 years. Also, the Post-9/11 GI Bil
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship Program may be available to the spouse
and children of servicemembers who after September 10, 2001, die in the line of qualifying duty
or from a service-connected disability while a member of the Selected Reserve.
Participants may be eligible for payments to cover tuition and fees, housing, books and supplies,
tutorial and relocation assistance, and licensing and certification test fees. Individuals who serve
on active duty for 36 months after September 10, 2001, may receive a tuition and fees benefit of
up to the amount of in-state tuition and fees charged when enrolled in public institutions of higher
learning (IHLs), or up to $26,042.81 when enrolled in private IHLs in academic year 2021-2022.
In general, the monthly housing al owance is based on the Department of Defense (DOD)-
determined monthly basic al owance for housing (BAH) for a member of the Armed Forces with
dependents in pay grade E-5 and varies depending on the education and training location. Benefit
payments vary depending on the participant’s active duty status, length of qualifying active duty,
rate of pursuit, and program of education. For example, participants on active duty are not eligible
for a Post-9/11 GI Bil housing al owance.
Many Post-9/11 GI Bil -eligible individuals are eligible for another GI Bil or other veterans
program such as Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX) that could
provide support while veterans pursue education or training. Individuals with a single qualifying
active duty service period must make an irrevocable election to give up benefits under one other
GI Bil program to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bil . Similarly, individuals may not
establish Post-9/11 GI Bil and UCX eligibility based on the same period of service.

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Contents
Background.................................................................................................................... 1
Eligible Individuals ......................................................................................................... 3
General Eligibility for Servicemembers and Veterans ...................................................... 4
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholars ........................................................ 5
Transferees ............................................................................................................... 5
Irrevocable Election ................................................................................................... 6
Individuals Formerly Eligible for REAP ....................................................................... 7
Entitlement .................................................................................................................... 7
Delimiting Date and Benefit Availability ............................................................................ 8
Eligible Programs of Education ......................................................................................... 9
Benefit Payments .......................................................................................................... 11
In-State Tuition and Fee Charges ............................................................................... 11
Tuition and Fees, Housing, and Books and Supplies...................................................... 12
Non-active Duty Individuals Enrolled More than Half-Time in Programs of
Education Offered by IHLs ............................................................................... 14
Active Duty Individuals Enrolled More than Half-Time in Programs of Education
Offered by IHLs .............................................................................................. 16
Individuals Pursuing Apprenticeship or On-the-Job Training More than
Half-Time ...................................................................................................... 16
Vocational Flight Trainees Enrolled More than Half-Time ........................................ 17
Correspondence Trainees Enrolled More than Half-Time .......................................... 17
Individuals Enrolled More than Half-Time in Programs of Education Offered by
Non-college Degree Schools ............................................................................. 18
Individuals Enrolled Half-Time or Less ................................................................. 19
Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program Payments ...................................... 19
Tutorial Assistance................................................................................................... 20
Licensing and Certification Test Fees.......................................................................... 20
National Tests ......................................................................................................... 21
Relocation and Travel Assistance ............................................................................... 21
Advance Payments .................................................................................................. 21
Supplemental Assistance........................................................................................... 21
Tuition Assistance “Top-Up” Program ........................................................................ 22
Unused MGIB-AD Contributions............................................................................... 22

MGIB-AD Buy Up Program ..................................................................................... 22
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship ..................................................................... 22

Relationship to Other Programs for Veterans ..................................................................... 23
Combining GI Bill Benefits: 48-Month Rule................................................................ 23
Relationship to the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program (VR&E) ....................... 25
Relationship to Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX) ................. 25

Participation and Cost .................................................................................................... 25

Tables
Table 1. Maximum Payments for Tuition and Fees, Housing, and Books and Supplies:
August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022 ..................................................................................... 12
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Table 2. Percentage of Maximum Post-9/11 GI Bil Benefits by Aggregate Length of
Active Duty Service or Other Characteristics .................................................................. 13
Table 3. Post-9/11 GI Bil Obligations, Participation, and Benefit Amount per Participant:
FY2009-FY2022 ........................................................................................................ 26

Contacts
Author Information ....................................................................................................... 26

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The Post-9/11 GI Bill: A Primer

Background
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), previously named the Veterans Administration,
has been providing veterans educational assistance benefits, including GI Bil benefits,1 since
1944. The benefits have been intended, at various times, to compensate for compulsory service,
encourage voluntary service, prevent unemployment, provide equitable benefits to al who served,
and promote military retention. In general, the benefits provide grant aid to eligible individuals
enrolled in approved educational and training programs. The newest GI Bil was enacted on June
30, 2008, as the Post-9/11 Veterans’ Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Post-9/11 GI Bil ), Title
V of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110-252). Although VA stil provides
benefits under several older GI Bil s, the Post-9/11 GI Bil has represented more than 70% of total
GI Bil participation and more than 80% of spending in each year since FY2013.2 In FY2022, the
program is estimated to benefit over 600,000 individuals and expend almost $10 bil ion.3
The Post-9/11 GI Bil was enacted in response to findings that “service on active duty in the
Armed Forces [had] been especial y arduous for the members of the Armed Forces since
September 11, 2001,” and that there was a need for an educational assistance program that
provided “enhanced educational assistance benefits … worthy of such service.”4 The benefits
were designed to meet four main objectives:
1. provide reservists with benefits equivalent to those provided to members of the
regular Armed Forces for equivalent, though often not continuous, active duty
service;
2. ensure comprehensive educational benefits;
3. meet military recruiting goals; and
4. improve military retention through transferability of benefits.
It was recognized that veterans and servicemembers would be eligible for U.S. Department of
Education (ED) student financial aid benefits such as Pel Grants and Direct Loans;5 U.S.
Department of Defense (DOD) educational assistance; and various state, local, and other federal
benefits in addition to the basic Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits. Many Members of Congress hoped
that a benefit that exceeded amounts available under the other active GI Bills would ameliorate
the military recruiting chal enges and higher unemployment rate among veterans compared with
non-veterans of the same age group that existed in 2008.6

1 GI Bill is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
2 For a description of the other GI Bills, see CRS Report R42785, Veterans’ Educational Assistance Programs and
Benefits: A Prim er
.
3 Department of Veterans Affairs, Congressional Budget Submission, FY2022 (hereinafter referred to as President’s
budget submission, FY2022).
4 P.L. 110-252.
5 T itle IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, authorizes several student aid programs: Pell Grant
program, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
Grant (FSEOG) program, Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) program, and Federal Work -Study
(FWS) program. See CRS Report R45418, Federal Pell Grant Program of the Higher Education Act: Prim er; CRS
Report RL31618, Cam pus-Based Student Financial Aid Program s Under the Higher Education Act; and CRS Report
R45931, Federal Student Loans Made Through the William D. Ford F ederal Direct Loan Program : Term s and
Conditions for Borrowers
.
6 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Pending
Montgom ery GI Bill Legislation
, 110th Cong., 2nd sess., January 17, 2008, HRG-2008-VAH-0003 (Washington: GPO,
2008), pp. 3, 6, 9, 10, 14; and U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Hearing on Pending Benefits
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The Post-9/11 GI Bill: A Primer

There was some discussion about whether increasing the monthly benefit might result in lower
retention in the Armed Forces. Some DOD research suggested that education is not a very
important factor in the decision to stay in or leave the military, while other evidence suggested
that very high veterans education benefits would discourage reenlistment. DOD considered the
ability to transfer benefits to dependents critical to retention. The Administration was interested in
transferability as wel , and President George W. Bush advocated for transferability in a State of
the Union address.7
The Post-9/11 GI Bil is codified under Title 38 U.S.C., Chapter 33. The stated purpose is to
reward members of the Armed Forces for service on active duty since September 11, 2001;
maintain a history of offering educational assistance to veterans; respond to the needs of the
Armed Forces when not at peace; demonstrate the high esteem with which military service is
held; recognize the difficult chal enges involved in readjusting to civilian life after serving; and
enhance the educational assistance benefits provided to those who serve on active duty after
September 10, 2001. The Post-9/11 GI Bil provides aid payments to or on behalf of participants
pursuing approved programs of education for tuition and fees, housing, books and supplies, and
other education-related expenditures. The program became effective August 1, 2009. The
program is permanently authorized and supported through mandatory funds.
Following enactment, concerns were raised about several aspects of the Post-9/11 GI Bil , and
cal s were made for the program to be amended. Several laws have been enacted to amend
programmatic aspects of the Post-9/11 GI Bil . The following acts made key amendments:
 The Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (P.L. 111-32), enacted on June 24,
2009, created the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship.
 The Post-9/11 Veterans’ Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010
(Improvements Act; P.L. 111-377), enacted on January 4, 2011, made several
amendments to the Post-9/11 GI Bil and other veterans’ educational assistance
programs.
 The Restoring GI Bil Fairness Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-26), enacted on August 3,
2011, temporarily reverses one amendment of the Improvements Act for some
individuals attending private institutions of higher learning (IHLs) in seven
states.8
 The Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of
2012 (P.L. 112-154), enacted on August 6, 2012, requires annual reports to
Congress on the Post-9/11 GI Bil and the Survivors’ and Dependents’
Educational Assistance program (DEA; 38 U.S.C., Chapter 35).9
 The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (P.L. 112-239),
enacted on January 2, 2013, expands eligibility to certain members of the Coast
Guard Reserve.

Legislation, 110th Cong., 2nd sess., May 7, 2008, S. Hrg. 110-675 (Washington: GPO, 2008), pp. 15, 21, 34, 49.
7 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Pending
Montgom ery GI Bill Legislation
, 110th Cong., 2nd sess., January 17, 2008, HRG-2008-VAH-0003 (Washington: GPO,
2008), pp. 3, 6, 9, 10, 14; and U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Hearing on Pending Benefits
Legislation
, 110th Cong., 2nd sess., May 7, 2008, S. Hrg. 110-675 (Washington: GPO, 2008), pp. 15, 21, 34, 49.
8 Until enactment of P.L. 112-26, some individuals in the seven states would have had larger out -of-pocket costs in
academic year 2011-2012 than in the prior academic year, 2010 -2011.
9 For more information, see archived CRS Report R42810, Veterans’ Benefits: Honoring America’s Veterans and
Caring for Cam p Lejeune Fam ilies Act of 2012 (
P.L. 112-154) (available to congressional clients upon request).
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 The Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency
Act of 2014 (Veterans’ Access to Care Act; P.L. 113-146), enacted on August 7,
2014, expands eligibility and reduced tuition and fee charges for some
participants.10
 The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (P.L. 114-92),
enacted on November 25, 2015, prohibits concurrent receipt of unemployment
insurance and Post-9/11 GI Bil Benefits.11
 The Jeff Mil er and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits
Improvement Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-315), enacted on December 16, 2016,
extends benefit availability for some individuals and streamlined claim
processing.12
 The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-
48), also known as the Forever GI Bil , enacted on August 16, 2017, eliminates
the time limitation on use of benefits, expanded eligibility, and modified benefit
amounts.
 The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits
Improvement Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-315), enacted on January 5, 2021, expands
eligibility for some Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits and strengthens the approval
requirements for programs of education.
The amendments wil be noted in this report, as applicable.
In response to abrupt disruptions to programs of education, educational institutions, and
employment during the COVID-19 emergency, special authorities were enacted to reduce the
effect of such disruptions on Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits. For a description of these authorities, see
CRS In Focus IF11685, Special Authorities for Veterans’ Educational Assistance Programs
During the COVID-19 Emergency.13
This report provides a detailed description of the Post-9/11 GI Bil . The first section describes
participant eligibility criteria. The second section indicates a participant’s entitlement to benefits
and the period during which the benefits must be used. The third section describes the eligible
programs of education. The subsequent section explains the eligible benefit payments. The final
sections il ustrate key links to other programs administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs and current data on obligations and participation.
Eligible Individuals
The following subsections describe the general eligibility criteria for servicemembers and
veterans, the eligibility mechanisms for their dependents, and two unique aspects of eligibility.
The first unique aspect is the need for individuals to make an irrevocable election to receive Post-

10 For more information, see CRS Report R43704, Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (H.R.
3230; P.L. 113-146)
.
11 For more information, see CRS Report R44586, GI Bill Legislation Enacted in the 114th Congress.
12 Ibid.
13 On March 13, 2020, the President declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency, beginning March 1, 2020.
“Proclamation on Declaring a National Emergency Concerning t he Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Outbreak,” March 13, 2020, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-declaring-national-
emergency-concerning-novel-coronavirus-disease-covid-19-outbreak/.
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9/11 GI Bil benefits. The second is the limited authority for individuals formerly eligible for
Reserves Educational Assistance Program (REAP; 10 U.S.C., Chapter 1607) to achieve eligibility
under the Post-9/11 GI Bil .
General Eligibility for Servicemembers and Veterans
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bil , veterans and servicemembers of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air
Force, Space Force,14 and Coast Guard, including the reserve components, and commissioned
officers of the Public Health Service (PHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), may be eligible. Individuals must
 serve an aggregate minimum of 90 days on qualifying active duty after
September 10, 2001,
 be discharged or released for a service-connected disability after serving a
minimum of 30 continuous days on qualifying active duty after September 10,
2001, or
 be awarded the Purple Heart for service occurring after September 10, 2001.15
For reservists, qualifying active duty means a cal or order to active duty under Title 10 U.S.C.
Sections 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12301(h), 12302, 12304, 12304a, and 12304b; and
Title 14 U.S.C. Section 3713.16 For National Guard members, qualifying active duty is the same
as for reservists but also includes full-time service in the National Guard for the purpose of
organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the National Guard; and full-time
service in the National Guard under Title 32 U.S.C. Section 502(f) when authorized by the
President or the Secretary of Defense for the purpose of responding to a national emergency
declared by the President and supported by federal funds.17
The Post-9/11 GI Bil qualifying active duty service period excludes time assigned to a civilian
institution for an education or training program similar to those offered to civilians, excludes time
spent as a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies, excludes other active duty
service periods required to meet a service academy or Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
obligation, excludes service that is terminated because of a defective enlistment and induction,

14 On December 20, 2019, the United States Space Force (USSF) became the sixth branch of the Armed Forces. For
more information, see CRS In Focus IF11495, Defense Prim er: The United States Space Force. T he William M. (Mac)
T hornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 ( P.L. 116-283) amended T itle 38 of the U.S.
Code to include the space service in the eligible branches of the Armed Forces for purposes of veterans benefits.
15 P.L. 115-48 expanded eligibility to include Purple Heart recipients who were not otherwise eligible, effective August
1, 2018. For background information on the Purple Heart program, see CRS Report R42704, The Purple Heart:
Background and Issues for Congress
.
16 P.L. 112-239 expanded the qualifying active duty service periods to include service performed under T itle 14 U.S.C.
§712, which is the authority for activation of Coast Guard Reserves for short -term disaster response on or after
December 31, 2011, and which was designated as Section 3713 by P.L. 115-282. In February 2017, VA announced that
the Army had recently announced that qualifying service for the Post -9/11 GI Bill includes Active Duty T raining
(ADT ), Active Duty Special Work (ADSW), and Active Duty Operational Support -Reserve Component (ADOS-RC)
performed under T itle 10 U.S.C. §12301(d) after September 10, 2001. P.L. 115-48 further expanded the qualifying
active duty service to include T itle 10 U.S.C. §12301(h), medical orders for reservists and National Guard members
wounded in combat, on or after September 11, 2001; T itle 10 U.S.C. §12304a, response to major disasters or
emergencies for periods of up to 120 days, on or after June 30, 2008; and T itle 10 U.S.C. §12304b, support of
Combatant Commands for preplanned missions, on or after June 30, 2008. Changes based on the P.L. 115-48
amendments are payable effective August 1, 2018.
17 P.L. 111-377 expanded the qualifying active duty service periods to include full-time duty under a T itle 32 call to
order for National Guard members effective on August 1, 2009, and payable after September 30, 2011.
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The Post-9/11 GI Bill: A Primer

and excludes active duty service periods required to meet a student loan repayment obligation (10
U.S.C., Chapter 109).
Once the qualifying active duty service period is met, individuals must either continue on active
duty or be discharged or released from active duty in one of the following manners:
 with an honorable discharge;
 with active duty characterized as honorable service and placement on the retired
list, transfer to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, or placement on
the temporary disability retired list;
 with active duty characterized as honorable service and further service in a
reserve component; or
 with active duty characterized as honorable service as a result of a medical
condition which preceded active duty and is not service-connected, a hardship, or
a physical or mental condition that was not characterized as a disability and did
not result from the individual’s own wil ful misconduct but did interfere with the
individual’s performance of duty.18
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholars
Through the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship Program (Fry Scholarship),
Post-9/11 GI Bil eligibility is extended to the spouse and each child of individuals who, on or
after September 11, 2001, die
 in the line of duty while serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces,
 in the line of duty while serving on duty other than active duty as a member of
the Armed Forces, or
 from a service-connected disability while a member of the Selected Reserve.19
The Armed Forces include the Reserves and National Guard, but exclude the Public Health
Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Children may be unmarried or married. Children include children born outside of marriage and
acknowledged, legal y adopted children, and stepchildren who are members of the households of
eligible individuals.
Transferees
Subject to certain service requirements, servicemembers eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bil
(qualifying individuals) may transfer their benefits to certain family members. Statutory
provisions establish framework requirements for transferability and require DOD to regulate the
eligibility criteria for qualifying individuals and the transfer processes. Under Post-9/11 GI Bil

18 P.L. 111-377 required that, effective January 4, 2011, discharge or release as a result of a medical condition,
hardship, or physical or mental condition qualify for Post -9/11 GI Bill benefits only if the active duty was characterized
as honorable service.
19 P.L. 111-32 amended the Post-9/11 GI Bill to create the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship for
dependent children, effective August 1, 2010, including retroactive payments to August 1, 2009 . P.L. 113-146 extended
the scholarship to spouses, effective for terms beginning after December 31, 2 014. P.L. 116-315 extended the
scholarship to dependents of members who die while serving on duty other than active duty or while in the Selected
Reserve from a service-connected disability, effective August 1, 2020, for terms beginning on or after August 1, 2021.
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statutory provisions, qualifying individuals must have completed at least six years of service
(defined as active duty or Selected Reserve by DOD) when requesting a transfer of benefits and
agree to serve four additional years.20
General y, in order to designate to whom qualifying individuals want to transfer benefits,
qualifying individuals must be current members of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected
Reserve) or active duty members of the Commissioned Corps of the PHS or NOAA.21 In other
words, qualifying individuals who have retired or been separated are general y ineligible to
designate a transferee. In addition, individuals who retired or were separated before August 1,
2009, the effective date of the Post-9/11 GI Bil , did not have the option to transfer benefits. P.L.
115-48 provides two exceptions al owing transfers once qualifying individuals are no longer
members of the Armed Forces
 a qualifying individual may transfer the remaining entitlement from a deceased
transferee to another dependent; and
 a transferee may transfer the remaining entitlement to another dependent
following the death of the qualifying individual.22
Qualifying individuals can transfer benefits to their child, spouse, unmarried legal ward, or some
combination of children, spouse, and wards.23 The family members must be enrolled in the DOD
Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and be eligible for DOD benefits at
the time the transfer is designated. The qualifying individual may revoke the transfer designation
at any time.
Irrevocable Election
Many Post-9/11 GI Bil -eligible individuals are also eligible for one or more other veterans’
educational assistance program. The other applicable veterans’ educational assistance programs
are REAP, DEA, the Montgomery GI Bil -Active Duty (MGIB-AD; 38 U.S.C., Chapter 30), the
Montgomery GI Bil -Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR; 10 U.S.C., Chapter 1606), or Chapter 107 of
Title 10 U.S.C. (professional military education). Post-9/11 GI Bil -eligible individuals with a
single qualifying active duty service period must make an irrevocable election to give up benefits
under one of the applicable programs to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bil . Individuals
who are eligible for both the Fry Scholarship and DEA based on the death of a spouse or a
particular parent must elect the program from which to receive benefits.24 These decisions are
general y irrevocable.
Beginning January 1, 2017, VA may make an irrevocable election decision on behalf of an
individual who fails to do so and may change an election it deems to be contrary to the

20 During 2017 to 2019, DOD planned to require that qualifying individuals, at the time of the request to transfer
benefits, have not completed more than 16 years of service (See Department of Defense, Instruction: Post-9/11 GI Bill,
Number 1341.13, July 12, 2018). P.L. 116-92 amended the Post -9/11 GI Bill preventing DOD from prescribing any
limitation on the eligibility to transfer benefits based on a maximum number of years of service in the Armed Forces.
21 P.L. 111-377 extended transferability to the Commissioned Corps of the PHS and NOAA, as of August 1, 2011, and
September 1, 2011, respectively.
22 T he provisions of P.L. 115-48 go into effect for deaths occurring on or after August 1, 2009, and for training on or
after August 1, 2018.
23 P.L. 116-315 expanded the eligible family members to include unmarried legal wards, effective January 5, 2021.
24 P.L. 111-377 established this requirement for children effective August 1, 2011. T he Veterans’ Access to Care Act
established the requirement for spouses effective for terms beginning after December 31, 2014.
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individual’s interests. After notification of VA’s election, individuals wil have 30 days to change
such an alternative election.25
Individuals Formerly Eligible for REAP
In addition to the individuals described above, some individuals who lost REAP eligibility as a
result of its November 25, 2015, or November 25, 2019, sunset dates may be eligible for the Post-
9/11 GI Bil . Under P.L. 115-48, REAP-qualifying active duty service may be credited toward
Post-9/11 GI Bil eligibility. VA automatical y converted to the Post-9/11 GI Bil those individuals
who were REAP beneficiaries on November 25, 2019, but were not eligible for the Post-9/11 GI
Bil based on having a different period of service than the period used to qualify for REAP.26 Al
other individuals who lost REAP eligibility due to its sunset had the option to convert to the Post-
9/11 GI Bil .27 It may be more beneficial for some individuals to qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bil
based on a period of service not used to establish REAP eligibility than to convert their REAP
eligibility to Post-9/11 GI Bil eligibility.
Entitlement
The Post-9/11 GI Bil provides eligible persons an entitlement to educational assistance. This
entitlement is measured in time—months and days. For most individuals, the entitlement period is
36 months (or its equivalent in part-time educational assistance). General y, receipt of educational
assistance payments for one day of full-time pursuit reduces the entitlement period by one day or
a proportional percentage of a day for less-than-full-time pursuit. However, certain educational
assistance payments reduce the entitlement period depending on the amount of the payment, as
highlighted in the section on benefit payments. (See “Benefit Payments”.)
The entitlement may be less than or equal to 36 months. For example, an individual who
converted from REAP or another GI Bil receives Post-9/11 GI Bil entitlement equal to his or her
unused entitlement under the other GI Bil . Also, for example, with respect to a transferee, the
qualifying individual’s 36 months of entitlement may be variously distributed to himself, a child,
a spouse, or some combination of himself, a child, and a spouse. Further, the qualifying
individual can modify the number of months of transferred entitlement or revoke the designation
at any time. As dependents use the transferred benefit, the remaining entitlement periods of both
the dependents and qualifying individual are reduced.
In some instances, the entitlement period may be extended or modified.
 Entitlement that was charged for an incomplete course or program for which the
individual is unable to receive credit or lost training time as a result of an
educational institution closing is restored. The same applies to an entitlement
initial y charged for a course or program if a necessary course is disapproved by
a subsequently established or modified policy, regulation, or law. In addition, an
entitlement is not charged for the interim (through the end of the academic term

25 P.L. 114-315 authorized VA involvement in irrevocable election decisions.
26 Letter from VBA Education Service to VSO Partners, “REAP Sunset - Effective November 26, 2019, November 5,
2019.”
27 Individuals must have established REAP eligibility prior to November 25, 2015. U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP), last updated June 11, 2020, https://www.benefits.va.gov/
gibill/reap.asp; and Letter from VBA Education Service to VSO Partners, “ REAP Sunset - Effective November 26,
2019, November 5, 2019.”
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but no more than 120 days) housing al owance paid following either a closure or
disapproval.28
 Any entitlement is restored if it was charged for an incomplete program from
which the individual transferred fewer than 12 credits as a result of an
educational institution closing and in which the individual was enrolled within
120 days of its closure. The same applies to an entitlement charged for a program
if a necessary course is disapproved by a subsequently established or modified
policy, regulation, or law. This restoration of entitlement covers the entire
program and is available beginning on August 1, 2021, and ending before
September 30, 2023.29
 The entitlement period is not reduced for individuals who must discontinue a
course(s) and fail to receive credit or training time as a result of certain service
obligations. For reservists, a cal to active duty under Section 688, 12301(a),
12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 12304 of Title 10 U.S.C. qualifies. For active duty
servicemembers, assignment to a new duty location or an increased amount of
work qualifies.
 In general, once the entitlement period is exhausted, veterans and
servicemembers may continue receiving educational assistance through the end
of the academic term, or for a 12-week period if not on an academic term
schedule and the individual has completed a major portion of the course.30
Delimiting Date and Benefit Availability
Some individuals are subject to a delimiting date after which no Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits may be
earned or paid. For qualifying individuals whose last discharge or release from active duty was
before January 1, 2013, no benefits may be paid 15 years or more after discharge or release from
active duty.31 Spouses using benefits transferred from qualifying individuals who were last
discharged or released from active duty service before January 1, 2013, must use the benefits
within 15 years of the qualifying individuals’ last discharge or release. Children using transferred

28 T his provision enacted by P.L. 115-48 applies to all of the GI Bills. T he provision applies to closures and
disapprovals occurring after January 1, 2015, except that the amount of entitlement restored for closures and
disapprovals occurring from January 1, 2015, through August 16, 2017, is the entire period of the individual’s
enrollment in the program. T he restoration of entitlement goes into effect November 14, 2017. Eligibility for interim
housing allowance payments begins August 16, 2017, and they are payable effective August 1, 2018.
29 P.L. 116-315 established this temporary provision.
30 Dependents with transferred benefits are not similarly eligible for continued benefits, according to David Newman,
Dwayne M. Wright, and Jon Sperl, et al., H.R. 475, GI Bill Processing Im provem ent and Quality Enhancement Act of
2015
, Congressional Budget Office, As ordered reported by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on May 21,
2015, August 26, 2015, p. 7.
31 T he relevant active duty period must have been at least 90 continuous days, 30 continuous days if the individual is
released for a service-connected disability, or the last period of service used to meet the minimum service requirements
for eligibility if the individual does not have one of the aforementioned 90 -day or 30-day periods. T he 15-year
limitation does not include periods when individuals were ineligible for the program but their discharge status was later
amended to make them eligible for the program, and periods when individuals were detained by a foreign government
or power and any related recovery period in a hospital. Individuals incapable of beginning education as a result of a
physical or mental disability can be granted an extension for the period of incapacity .
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benefits must use the benefit before reaching 26 years of age.32 For Fry Scholarship recipients, the
benefit is available
 for children who first became eligible before January 1, 2013, until age 33, and
 for spouses who first became eligible before January 1, 2013, during the 15-year
period following the spouse first becoming eligible.33
Al other individuals are not subject to a delimiting date.34 For qualifying individuals whose last
discharge or release from active duty was on or after January 1, 2013, there is no delimiting date.
Spouses using benefits transferred from qualifying individuals who were last discharged or
released from active duty service on or after January 1, 2013, may use the benefits until the
entitlement is exhausted. For Fry Scholarship recipients who first became eligible on or after
January 1, 2013, the benefit is available until the entitlement is exhausted.
There are limitations on when family members may begin using their benefits. A spouse can
begin using transferred benefits after the servicemember completes at least six years of service.
Spouses who subsequently divorce qualifying individuals are stil eligible to use the transferred
benefits unless the qualifying individuals revoke the transfer.35 Before using a transferred benefit,
children have to achieve a high school diploma, achieve the equivalent of a high school diploma,
or reach 18 years of age. In addition, the qualifying individual has to complete at least 10 years of
service before a designated child can use the transferred benefit. Fry Scholarship recipients may
begin using the benefits once eligible, except that children must be at least 18 years of age.
Eligible Programs of Education
Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits can be used to support students pursuing GI Bil -approved programs of
education at a variety of training establishments and educational institutions, including
institutions of higher learning (IHLs) (see text box).36
Definitions
Training establishments are providers of apprentice or other on-the-job training; providers of self-employment on-
the-job training consisting of ful -time training for a period of less than six months that is needed or accepted for
purposes of obtaining licensure to engage in a self-employment occupation or required for ownership and
operation of a franchise that is the objective of the training; state boards of vocational education; federal or state
apprenticeship registration agencies; sponsors of apprenticeship programs; or agencies of the federal government
authorized to supervise such training.

Educational institutions include public or private elementary or secondary schools; vocational, correspondence,
business or professional schools; col eges or universities; scientific or technical institutions; other institutions
offering education for adults; state-approved alternative teacher certification providers; private entities that offer

32 Effective August 1, 2011, P.L. 111-377 granted an extension of the entitlement period to children to whom Post -9/11
GI Bill benefits are transferred and who are incapable of pursuing their chosen program of education before age 26 as a
result of being the primary caregiver, according to the family caregiver assistance program (38 U.S.C. §1720G(a)).
33 38 U.S.C. §3311(f)(2), as amended by P.L. 113-146, established that the benefit is available to a spouse until the
earlier of 15 years following the servicemember’s death or remarriage. 38 U.S.C. §3311 note, as amended by P.L. 114-
315, provides an exception such that the benefit is available to spouses of individuals who died during the period
beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on December 31, 2005, until the earlier of 15 years following January 1,
2006, or remarriage.
34 P.L. 115-48 eliminated the delimiting date for some individuals.
35 T he transferred benefits cannot be considered marital property in divorce proceedings.
36 P.L. 111-377 expanded the eligible programs of education beyond courses offered by an IHL, effective October 1,
2011.
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courses toward the attainment of a license or certificate general y recognized as necessary for a p rofession or
vocation in a high-technology occupation; and qualified providers of entrepreneurship courses.

Institutions of higher learning are institutions offering postsecondary level academic instruction that leads to an
associate’s or higher degree if empowered by the appropriate state education authority under state law to grant
an associate’s or higher degree, or in the absence of a state education authority, if accredited for degree programs
by a recognized accrediting agency. IHLs are also hospitals offering educational programs at the postsecondary
level and foreign educational institutions that offer courses leading to a standard col ege degree, or the equivalent,
and that are recognized as such by the secretary of education (or a comparable official) of the country or other
jurisdiction in which the institution is located. A standard col ege degree is an associate’s or higher degree awarded
by (1) an IHL that is accredited as a col egiate institution by a recognized regional or national accreditin g agency,
(2) an IHL that is a candidate for accreditation as that term is used by the regional or national accrediting agencies,
or (3) an IHL upon completion of a course that is accredited by an agency recognized to accredit specialized
degree-level programs.
The eligible programs may include the following:
 courses at an educational institution that lead to a predetermined educational,
vocational, or professional objective or objectives if related to the same career
(this includes traditional undergraduate and graduate programs);
 courses required by the Administrator of the Smal Business Administration
(SBA) as a condition for obtaining financial assistance under the provisions of
Section 7(i)(1) of the Smal Business Act (15 U.S.C. §636(i)(1));
 courses offered by a qualified provider of entrepreneurship courses;
 licensing or certification tests for a predetermined vocation or profession;
 preparatory courses for a licensing or certification test for a predetermined
vocation or profession;37
 national tests for admission to IHLs or graduate schools (such as the Scholastic
Aptitude Test [SAT]);
 national tests providing an opportunity for course credit at IHLs (such as the
Advanced Placement [AP] exam);
 national tests that provide an opportunity for course credit at an IHL by
evaluating prior learning and knowledge;38
 preparatory courses for a test that is required or used for admission to an
institution of higher education or a graduate school;39
 full-time programs of apprentice or other on-the-job training at a training
establishment, for individuals not on active duty;
 cooperative programs40 for individuals not on active duty;

37 P.L. 116-154, effective August 1, 2021.
38 P.L. 115-48, effective August 1, 2018.
39 T he term institution of higher education (IHE) means either (1) an educational institution located in a state that
admits as regular students only persons who have a high school diploma, or its recognized equivalent, or persons who
are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance; offers postsecondary level acade mic instruction that leads to an
associate or baccalaureate degree; and is empowered by the appropriate state to grant such degrees, or in the absence of
state law is accredited for such degree programs by a recognized accrediting agency; or (2) a comparable educational
institution not located in a state. 38 C.F.R. §21.7020(b)(45).
40 A cooperative program is a full-time program of education, which consists of institutional courses and alternate
phases of training in a business or industrial establishment with the training in a business or industrial establishment
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 refresher, remedial, or deficiency courses;41
 preparatory or special education or training courses necessary to enable the
individual to pursue another approved program of education; and
 a course for which the individual is receiving Tuition Assistance from DOD (see
the section entitled “Tuition Assistance “Top-Up” Program”).
The eligible programs of education must be approved by a state approving agency (SAA) or VA.
SAAs are federal y authorized state entities that approve programs of education for the GI Bil s.
Benefit Payments
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bil , several types of benefit payments are available, including payments
for tuition and fees, the Yel ow Ribbon program (see the “Yel ow Ribbon GI Education
Enhancement Program Payments
” section), housing, books and supplies, tutorial assistance, test
fees, and relocation and travel assistance. The following describes the various payments and the
criteria for determining the amount of each payment for which participants may be eligible. For
individuals using transferred benefits, spouses receive payments according to the current active
duty status of the qualifying individuals, whereas children receive payments as if the qualifying
individuals were not on active duty.
In-State Tuition and Fee Charges
Certain participants, referred to as covered Post-9/11 GI Bill participants (covered participants),
must be charged no more than in-state tuition and fees at public IHLs. Covered participants are
members of the Armed Forces on active duty for a period of more than 30 days in the state in
which the public institution of higher education attended is located, and such members’ spouse
and dependent children.42 In addition, covered participants are those who attend a public IHL in
the state in which they live and who are
 qualifying individuals who were discharged or released from an active duty
service period of not fewer than 90 days;
 individuals using Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits transferred from an individual
described above;
 Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship recipients; or
 individuals using Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits transferred from a member of the
uniformed services who is serving on active duty.43

being strictly supplemental.
41 A refresher course is a course at the elementary or secondary level that reviews or updates material previously
covered in a course that has been satisfactorily completed, or a course which permits an individual to update knowledge
and skills or be instructed in the t echnological advances which have occurred in the individual’s field of employment
during and since the period of the individual’s active military service. A remedial course is a course designed to
overcome a deficiency at the elementary or secondary level in a particular area of study, or a handicap, such as in
speech. A deficiency course is any secondary level course or subject not previously completed satisfactorily, which is
specifically required for pursuit of a postsecondary program of education.
42 Section 135 of the Higher Education Act (HEA).
43 Under §702 of the Veterans’ Access to Care Act, as amended by P.L. 113-175, covered Post-9/11 GI Bill participants
were those who were discharged or released from a period of not fewer than 90 days of service in the active military,
naval, or air service less than three years before the date of enrollment in said course , and their Post -9/11 GI Bill-
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The public IHL may require the covered participant to demonstrate intent to establish residency,
by a means other than physical presence (e.g., a requirement to complete a residency application),
in order to qualify for in-state tuition. As long as a covered participant remains continuously
enrolled at the institution, the participant remains eligible for in-state tuition and fee charges.
Tuition and Fees, Housing, and Books and Supplies
The maximum payment levels for tuition and fees, housing, and books and supplies are
summarized in Table 1 by program of education. The housing al owance is based on the DOD-
determined monthly basic al owance for housing (BAH) for a member of the Armed Forces with
dependents in pay grade E-5 (hereinafter referred to as the E-5 with dependents BAH).44 Many
individuals wil receive payments that are lower than these maximum payments as a result of the
length of their qualifying active duty service or other eligibility characteristics (see Table 2), their
rate of pursuit,45 actual charges, active duty status, being enrolled exclusively through distance
learning, and receipt of DOD Tuition Assistance (TA). Through TA, military service branches pay
a certain amount of tuition and expenses for education and training to servicemembers.46
Table 1. Maximum Payments for Tuition and Fees, Housing, and Books and Supplies:
August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022
Books and
Type of
Monthly Housing
Supplies
Education/Training
Tuition and Fees
Allowance
Stipend
More than half-time rate of pursuit
Non-active dutya
At a public IHL,b “actual net cost for in-
E-5 with dependents
$1,000 per year
individuals in
state tuition and fees” less certain student
BAHe in the military
programs of
aidc
housing area in which
education offered by
At a private or foreign IHLb, $26,042.81d
the IHL is located
IHLsb
Active dutya
At a public IHL,b “actual net cost for in-
None
$1,000 per year
individuals in
state tuition and fees” less certain student
programs of
aidc
education offered by
At a private or foreign IHL,b $26,042.81d
IHLsb
Programs of
The “actual net cost for in-state tuition
E-5 with dependents
$83 per month
education offered by
and fees” less certain student aid,c but no
BAHe where the
non-col ege degree
more than $26,042.81d
educational institution
schoolsf
is located

eligible dependents and survivors. P.L. 114-315 expanded the definition of covered individual for academic terms
beginning after July 1, 2017. P.L. 116-315 eliminated the requirement that qualifying individuals enroll within three
years of discharge for academic terms beginning on or after August 1, 2021.
44 BAH is a DOD benefit to uniformed servicemembers to provide housing compensation when government quarters
are not provided. T he amount is based on a survey of actual median current market rent, average utilities (including
electricity, heat, and water/sewer), and average renter’s insurance in local civilian housing markets and is payable
based on geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. T he FY2015 and FY2016 National Defense
Authorization Act s allowed the Secretary of Defense to reduce BAH payments by 1% of the national average monthly
housing cost in FY2015, with an additional 1% reduction per year through 2019 (for a maximum reduction of 5% under
the national monthly average housing cost). P.L. 115-48 applies the reduction effective January 1, 2018, to Post -9/11
GI Bill participants who first use their entitlement on or after such date.
45 T he rate of pursuit measures the student’s enrollment rate by dividing the number of credits (or credit hour
equivalents) being pursued by the number of credits considered to be full-time by the school. For example, the rate of
pursuit for 7 credits is 58% (7 / 12 = 58%) when full-time pursuit is 12 credits per academic term.
46 10 U.S.C. §§2005 and 2007.
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Books and
Type of
Monthly Housing
Supplies
Education/Training
Tuition and Fees
Allowance
Stipend
Apprenticeship or
None
E-5 with dependents
$83 per month
on-the-job training
BAHe where the
employer is located
Vocational flight
$14,881.59d
None
None
training
Correspondence
$12,649.34d
None
None
training
Half-time or less rate of pursuit
Individuals enrol ed
At a public IHL,b “actual net cost for in-
None
$1,000 per year
half-time or less
state tuition and fees” less certain student
aidc
At a private or foreign IHL,b $26,042.81d
Source: Table prepared by CRS based on 38 U.S.C., Chapter 33; and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
website, https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/resources/benefits_resources/rates/ch33/ch33rates080120.asp,
downloaded on August 25, 2021.
Notes: Payments for many individuals wil be lower than the maximum payments shown above based on the
individual’s length of qualifying active duty service, rate of pursuit, active duty status, actual charges, being
enrol ed exclusively through distance learning, and receipt of U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Tuition
Assistance (TA). Under TA, military service branches may pay a certain amount of tuition and expenses for the
education and training of servicemembers.
a. P.L. 116-315 amends the active duty status applicable to benefit payment levels such that active duty
pertains only to active duty for a period of more than 30 days, effective August 1, 2022.
b. IHL is an institution of higher learning.
c. The forms of student aid that may be used to offset the “actual net cost for in -state tuition and fees” are
certain waivers, reductions, scholarships, and assistance. The applicable scholarships and sources of
assistance used to offset the actual tuition and fees are those provided directly to the IHL for the sole
purpose of defraying tuition and fees. Loans and Pel Grants are specifical y excluded from being used to
offset the tuition and fees. Pel Grants are authorized by Section 401(b) of the Higher Education Act of
1965, as amended. For more information on Pel Grants, see CRS Report R42446, Federal Pel Grant Program
of the Higher Education Act: How the Program Works and Recent Legislative Changes
.
d. Amounts shown are those in effect August 1, 2021, through July 31, 2022, based on amounts original y
established for the year that began August 1, 2011, increased annual y thereafter according to the average
increase in undergraduate tuition in the United States as determined by the U.S. Department of Education
(ED).
e. The E-5 with dependents BAH is the monthly basic al owance for housing for a member of the Armed
Forces with dependents in pay grade E-5. Students who first used their Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits before
January 1, 2018, receive a housing al owance up to 5% higher than the E -5 with dependents BAH.
f.
A non-col ege degree school is an educational institution that does not offer a standard col ege degree (see
footnote 36).
Table 2. Percentage of Maximum Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits by Aggregate Length of
Active Duty Service or Other Characteristics
Aggregate Active Duty Service
Percentage of Maximum
or Other Characteristic Since 9/11/2001
Benefit Payable
Purple Heart recipients
100
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship recipientsa
100
At least 36 months active duty serviceb
100
At least 30 continuous days active duty service and discharged due to
100
service-connected disability
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Aggregate Active Duty Service
Percentage of Maximum
or Other Characteristic Since 9/11/2001
Benefit Payable
At least 30 months, but less than 36 months, active duty serviceb
90
At least 24 months, but less than 30 months, active duty serviceb
80
At least 18 months, but less than 24 months, active duty service
70
At least 6 months, but less than 18 months, active duty servicec
60
Individuals previously eligible for REAPd
60
At least 90 days, but less than 6 months, active duty servicec
50
Source: Prepared by CRS based on Title 38 U.S.C. §§3311 and 3313 and data available from the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
a. For a description of Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship recipients, see “Marine Gunnery
Sergeant John David Fry Scholars.”
b. The qualifying active duty service period includes service on active duty in entry-level and skil training if the
total qualifying active duty service period is at least 24 months; however, if the period of qualifying active
duty service excluding entry-level and skil training is less than 18 months, the applicable qualifying active
duty period is 18 months. Entry-level and skil training is defined as basic combat training (BCT), advanced
individual training (AIT), and one station unit training (OSUT) in the Army; recruit training (or boot camp)
and skil training (or so-cal ed ‘A’ school) in the Navy; basic military training and technical training in the Air
Force, recruit training and Marine Corps training (or school of infantry training) in the Marine Corps; and
basic training and skil training (or so-cal ed ‘A’ school) in the Coast Guard.
c. Prior to August 1, 2020, and implementation of P.L. 115-48, an individual with at least 12 months, but less
than 18 months, of active duty service was at the 60% benefit level; an individual with at least 6 months, but
less than 12 months, of active duty service was at the 50% benefit level; and an individual with at least 90
days, but less than 6 months, of active duty service was at the 40% benefit level.
d. P.L. 115-48 authorizes individuals who lost REAP eligibility as a result of its November 25, 2015 , or
November 25, 2019, sunset dates to become eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bil . In accordance with VA
procedures, REAP-qualifying active duty service may be credited toward Post-9/11 GI Bil eligibility.
Non-active Duty Individuals Enrolled More than Half-Time in Programs of
Education Offered by IHLs

Eligible individuals who are not on active duty,47 are pursuing a program of education in
residence or online at an IHL, and are enrolled more than half-time may receive the following
payments for tuition and fees, housing, and books and supplies:
Tuition and fees. Individuals attending public IHLs are eligible to receive
payments equal to the actual net cost for in-state tuition and fees for the program
of education, reduced according to the length of time served on active duty
(Table 2) and less certain waivers, reductions, scholarships, and assistance.48
Individuals attending private or foreign IHLs are eligible to receive the lesser of
the private school maximum (Table 1),49 reduced according to the length of time
served on active duty (Table 2), or the actual net cost for tuition and fees for the
program of education less certain waivers, reductions, scholarships, and
assistance and reduced according to the length of time served on active duty

47 P.L. 116-315 amends the active duty status applicable to benefit payment levels such that active duty pertains only to
active duty for a period of more than 30 days, effective August 1, 2022.
48 T he “actual net cost for tuition and fees” is not defined.
49 T he maximum of $17,500 for the academic year beginning August 1, 2011, increases annually thereafter according
to the average increase in undergraduate tuition in the United States as determined by the U.S. Department of
Education (ED).
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(Table 2). The applicable scholarships and sources of assistance used to offset the
actual net cost for tuition and fees are those provided directly to the IHL for the
sole purpose of defraying tuition and fees. The applicable scholarships and
assistance specifical y exclude loans and Pel Grants.50 The tuition and fees
benefit is paid directly to the IHL for each academic term.
Housing Allowance. The housing al owance is paid directly to eligible
individuals monthly.
 For individuals not enrolled exclusively through distance learning,51 the
monthly housing al owance equals the E-5 with dependents BAH in the
military housing area of the IHL (or the location where the individual
physical y participates in a majority of classes for initial enrollments on or
after August 1, 2018).52 The housing al owance is reduced according to the
length of time served on active duty (Table 2) and the individual’s rate of
pursuit (rounded to the nearest multiple of 10). For example, an individual
enrolled in 10 credit hours, assuming 12 credit hours per academic term as
full-time, receives 80% of the E-5 with dependents BAH where the IHL is
located, reduced according to the length of time served on active duty (Table
2
)
.
 For attendance at foreign institutions, the monthly housing al owance equals
the national average of the E-5 with dependents BAH, reduced according to
the length of time served on active duty (Table 2) and the individual’s rate of
pursuit.
 For individuals enrolled exclusively through distance learning, the monthly
housing al owance is 50% of the national average of the E-5 with dependents
BAH, reduced according to the length of time served on active duty (Table
2
)
and the individual’s rate of pursuit.53
Books and Supplies Stipend. Individuals also receive a maximum stipend of
$1,000 per year for books and required educational expenses. The stipend is paid
monthly directly to eligible individuals based on the number of credit hours, or
their equivalent, in which individuals are enrol ed each term. Each credit hour, or
its equivalent, is worth $41.67, reduced according to the length of time served on
active duty (Table 2).54 This stipend does not reduce the entitlement period and
does not reduce other benefit payments.

50 Pell Grants are authorized by Section 401(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. For more
information on Pell Grants, see CRS Report R45418, Federal Pell Grant Program of the Higher Education Act:
Prim er
.
51 Distance learning is training that uses one or more technologies to deliver instruction to students who are separated
from the instructor and to support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor,
synchronously or asynchronously. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, School Certifying Official Handbook (On -
line)
, Revision 6.2, November 1, 2020.
52 T his provision was enacted by P.L. 115-48.
53 Individuals in a program offered exclusively through distance learning were not eligible for a Post -9/11 GI Bill
housing allowance until September 30, 2011 , as a result of P.L. 111-377.
54 VA has determined in 38 C.F.R. §21.9640 that a lump sum books and supplies stipend for each academic term equals
$41.67 multiplied by the number of credit hours enrolled and multiplied by the ratio of the number of credit hours
enrolled to the number of credit hours required for full-time pursuit.
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Active Duty Individuals Enrolled More than Half-Time in Programs of
Education Offered by IHLs

Individuals serving on active duty,55 including Fry Scholarship recipients who are serving on
active duty,56 while enrolled more than half-time may receive the following payments for tuition
and fees, housing, and books and supplies:
Tuition and fees. The tuition and fees benefit is paid directly to the IHL on
behalf of eligible individuals for each academic term. The benefit amount is
 at a public IHL, the actual net cost for in-state tuition and fees for the
program of education, reduced according to the length of time served on
active duty (Table 2) and less certain waivers, reductions, scholarships, and
assistance;
 at a private or foreign IHL, the lesser of the private school maximum (Table
1), reduced according to the length of time served on active duty (Table 2),
or the actual net cost for tuition and fees for the program of education,
reduced according to the length of time served on active duty (Table 2) and
less certain waivers, reductions, scholarships, and assistance; or
 the amount al owable under the Tuition Assistance “Top-Up” Program (see
“Tuition Assistance “Top-Up” Program”).57
Housing Allowance. Individuals are ineligible to receive a Post-9/11 GI Bil
housing al owance for the period during which they are serving on active duty.58
Books and Supplies Stipend. Individuals enrolled more than half-time while on
active duty receive for each academic term a lump sum stipend for books and
supplies in the amount of $1,000, reduced according to the length of time served
on active duty (Table 2) and according to the proportion of a complete academic
year that such academic term constitutes.59
Individuals Pursuing Apprenticeship or On-the-Job Training More than
Half-Time

Individuals pursuing apprenticeship or on-the-job training (OJT) more than half-time may receive
the following payments for tuition and fees, housing, and books and supplies:60

55 P.L. 116-315 amends the active duty status applicable to benefit payment levels such that active duty pertains only to
active duty for a period of more than 30 days, effective August 1, 2022.
56 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Post-9/11 GI Bill: Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship,”
downloaded from http://www.gibill.va.gov/ on January 8, 2010.
57 Prior to a P.L. 111-377 amendment, which went into effect March 5, 2011, individuals on active duty received
(payable to the IHL) the amount of tuition and fees charged by the IHL, as long as the amount did not duplicate any
amounts received through a DOD T uition Assistance Program. T his amount could exceed amounts charged by the most
expensive public institution in the state. The entitlement period was reduced one month for each month enrolled.
58 38 C.F.R. §21.9625(k) provides that an individual who is released from active duty status begins receiving the
monthly housing allowance for the month following the date the individual is discharged. A P.L. 115-48 amendment
prorates the housing allowance based on the time not spent on active duty during a month, effective for academic ter ms
beginning on or after August 1, 2018.
59 Prior to a P.L. 111-377 amendment, which went into effect October 1, 2011, individuals on active duty did not
receive a books-and-supplies stipend.
60 P.L. 111-377 expanded the eligible programs of education to include apprenticeship and on-the-job training effective
October 1, 2011.
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Tuition and fees. Tuition and fees benefits are general y not paid for
apprenticeship or OJT. Individuals may be eligible for tuition and fees benefits if
the classroom portion of apprenticeship or on-the-job training qualifies for
benefits as a program of education offered by an IHL or non-college degree
school.
Housing Allowance. Individuals pursuing apprenticeship or OJT more than half-
time receive a monthly housing al owance equal to 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, and
20% of the E-5 with dependents BAH where the employer is located for the first
six months, second six months, third six months, fourth six months, and
thereafter, respectively. The housing al owance is further reduced depending on
the length of time served on qualifying active duty (Table 2) and by the
proportion of working/training hours completed each month that is below 120.
Books and Supplies Stipend. Individuals pursuing apprenticeship or OJT more
than half-time receive a books-and-supplies stipend in the amount of $83 per
month, reduced according to the length of time served on active duty (Table 2).
Vocational Flight Trainees Enrolled More than Half-Time
Individuals enrolled more than half-time in programs of education consisting of flight training
that is not at an IHL and that does not lead to a degree may receive the following payments for
tuition and fees, housing, and books and supplies:61
Tuition and fees. Individuals enrolled more than half-time in flight training
receive a tuition and fees benefit equal to the lesser of the vocational flight
training maximum (Table 1),62 reduced according to the length of time served on
qualifying active duty (see Table 2), or the actual net cost for in-state tuition and
fees
for the program of education, less certain waivers, reductions, scholarships,
and assistance. The tuition and fees benefit is paid to the educational institution
after individuals complete the training.
Housing Allowance. Individuals pursuing flight training are ineligible to receive
a housing al owance.
Books and Supplies Stipend. Individuals pursuing flight training are ineligible
to receive a books and supplies stipend.
Correspondence Trainees Enrolled More than Half-Time
Correspondence training differs from distance learning in that individuals in correspondence
training receive lessons by mail or electronical y and have a certain amount of time to complete
and return them for a grade. Individuals enrolled more than half-time exclusively in
correspondence training programs, regardless of the type of institution, may receive the following
payments for tuition and fees, housing, and books and supplies:63

61 P.L. 111-377 expanded the eligible programs of education to include flight training from non -IHLs effective October
1, 2011. Statute establishes the payment amounts for “ flight training (regardless of the institution providing such
program of education),” but VA has indicated that it is not implementing the described payment amounts for degree
programs that consist of flight training at IHLs.
62 T he maximum of $10,000 for the academic year beginning August 1, 2011, increases annually thereafter according
to the average increase in undergraduate tuition in the United States as determined by ED.
63 P.L. 111-377 expanded the eligible programs of education to include correspondence training effective October 1,
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Tuition and fees. Individuals enrolled exclusively in correspondence training
more than half-time receive a tuition and fees benefit equal to the lesser of the
correspondence training maximum (Table 1),64 reduced according to the length
of time served on qualifying active duty (see Table 2), or the actual net cost for
tuition and fees
for the program of education less certain waivers, reductions,
scholarships, and assistance. The tuition and fees benefit is paid to the
educational institution after the individuals complete the training.
Housing Allowance. Individuals pursuing correspondence training exclusively
are ineligible to receive a housing al owance.
Books and Supplies Stipend. Individuals pursuing correspondence training
exclusively are ineligible to receive a books and supplies stipend.
Individuals Enrolled More than Half-Time in Programs of Education Offered
by Non-college Degree Schools65

Non-active duty individuals who are enrolled more than half-time at a non-college degree school,
referred to by statute as a certificate or non-col ege degree program at an institution or
establishment other than an IHL that is not on-the-job, apprenticeship, flight, or correspondence
training, may receive the following payments for tuition and fees, housing, and books and
supplies:66
Tuition and fees. Individuals enrolled more than half-time in non-college degree
schools receive a tuition and fees benefit equal to the lesser of the private school
maximum (Table 1), reduced according to the length of time served on
qualifying active duty (see Table 2), or the actual net cost for in-state tuition and
fees
less certain waivers, reductions, scholarships, and assistance. The tuition and
fees benefit is paid to the educational institution each academic term.
Housing Allowance. For individuals pursuing a program of education in-
residence, the monthly housing al owance is equal to the E-5 with dependents
BAH where the educational institution is located (or the location where the
individual physical y participates in a majority of classes for initial enrollments
on or after August 1, 2018).67 The al owance is reduced according to the length of
time served on qualifying active duty (see Table 2) and in proportion to the rate
of pursuit. Individuals pursuing a program of education through distance learning
receive 50% of the amount received by individuals pursuing a program of
education in-residence.
Books and Supplies Stipend. Individuals enrolled more than half-time in non-
college degree schools receive a books-and-supplies stipend in the amount of $83
per month paid to the individuals for each academic term, reduced according to
the length of time served on qualifying active duty (see Table 2).

2011.
64 T he maximum of $8,500 for the academic year beginning August 1, 2011, increases annually thereafter according to
the average increase in undergraduate tuition in the United States as determined by ED.
65 A non-college degree school is an educational institution that does not offer a standard college degree (see footnote
36).
66 P.L. 111-377 expanded the eligible programs of education to include certificate and non-college degree programs at
non-IHLs, effective October 1, 2011.
67 T his provision was enacted by P.L. 115-48.
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Individuals Enrolled Half-Time or Less
Individuals enrolled half-time or less in any program of education and regardless of the active
duty status may receive the following payments for tuition and fees, housing, and books and
supplies:
Tuition and fees. Individuals enrolled half-time or less are eligible for a tuition
and fees benefit of the actual net cost for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the
institution less certain waivers, reductions, scholarships, and assistance, but not
more than the amount for which the individuals would have been eligible if
enrolled more than half-time in a program of education at an IHL.68
Housing Allowance. Individuals enrolled half-time or less are ineligible to
receive a housing al owance.
Books and Supplies Stipend. Individuals enrolled half-time or less may receive
a books-and-supplies stipend that is a percentage of the maximum stipend of
$1,000 per year, reduced in proportion to their rate of pursuit. The percentage of
the stipend is determined by the length of time served on active duty (Table 2).
Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program Payments
In cases in which an IHL’s tuition and fees are not fully covered by the tuition and fees payment
benefits, the IHL may voluntarily enter into a Yel ow Ribbon Program agreement with VA to
match an equal percentage of some portion of the remaining tuition and fees. Yel ow Ribbon
Program agreements benefit participants enrolled in private IHLs and those enrolled in public
IHEs and charged as out-of-state students.
The Yel ow Ribbon Program covers a portion of the tuition and fees that exceed the base Post-
9/11 GI Bil tuition and fees benefit. The Yel ow Ribbon Program payment is paid equal y by the
IHL and VA. The program al ows IHLs to enter into agreements with VA to match a certain
amount of the tuition and fees not already covered by the basic Post-9/11 GI Bil . Each IHL must
establish the number of eligible individuals it is wil ing to support and how much it is wil ing to
contribute for each individual. VA regulations al ow IHLs to specify their support by each sub-
element: college or professional school; and by student status: undergraduate, graduate, or
doctoral. Several IHLs have variously agreed to support between one and an unlimited number of
eligible students for an amount from $50 per semester to the maximum amount needed by the
student (see text box below for an example of how the Yel ow Ribbon program works).VA
regulations also limit the program to domestic IHLs and foreign branches of domestic IHLs.
The program is available only to participants who are at the 100% benefit level, including Marine
Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship recipients, transferees at the 100% benefit level,
and Purple Heart recipients.69 Servicemembers on active duty and their spouses are not eligible.70
As long as the IHL remains in the Yel ow Ribbon Program, individuals admitted under the
program who maintain satisfactory progress wil continue to be supported under the program.

68 Prior to a P.L. 111-377 amendment, which went into effect August 1, 2011, individuals enrolled half-time or less
received (payable to the IHL) the amount charged by the IHL, but not mor e than the amount the individual would have
been eligible t o receive if enrolled full-time.
69 P.L. 115-48 expanded availability to include Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship recipients and
Purple Heart recipients, effective August 1, 2018.
70 P.L. 115-48 expands availability to include active duty servicemembers at the 100% benefit level and the spouses of
active duty servicemembers at the 100% benefit level, effective August 1, 2022.
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Example of Yellow Ribbon Program Payments
Participant: A Post-9/11 GI Bil eligible veteran with 36 months of qualifying active duty service may choose to
enrol as a ful -time law student at the private ABC University in Washington.
University charges: ABC University defines ful -time attendance as 30 credit hours per year and charges
$35,987.00 ($1,177.00 per credit hour for tuition * 30 credits for ful -time attendance + $677.00 per year in fees)
in AY2017-2018.
Base Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition and fees benefit: For individuals at the 100% benefit level attending private
IHLs in programs of education leading to a degree, the tuition and fees benefit is the lesser of $22,805.34 in
AY2017-2018 or the “actual net cost for tuition and fees” for the program of education less certain waivers,
reductions, scholarships, and assistance. Assuming the Post-9/11 GI Bil eligible veteran does not receive waivers,
reductions, scholarships, or assistance, the base Post-9/11 GI Bil tuition and fees benefit is $22,805.34 (the lesser
of $22,805.34 and $35,987.00).
Unpaid balance: $13,181.66 ($35,987.00 - $22,805.34)
Yellow Ribbon Program Agreement: Maximum of $6,000.00 per law student per year for seven law students.
Yellow Ribbon Program Payments: If the veteran in this example is one of the seven students eligible for the
Yel ow Ribbon program at ABC’s law school, VA is to match the university’s payment up to $6,000 per year for a
total maximum benefit of $12,000.00 ($6,000.00 * 2). Since the maximum benefit is less than the unpaid balance,
VA is to make a Yel ow Ribbon payment of $6,000.00 and ABC is to make a Yel ow Ribbon payment of $6,000.00.
Out-of-pocket cost: $1,181.66 ($13,181.66 - $12,000.00)
Total Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits: VA wil have paid $28,805.34 ($22,805.34 in basic tuition and fees benefit +
$6,000.00 in Yel ow Ribbon payments) on behalf of the veteran. Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits wil provide the veteran
a total of $34,805.34 ($28,805.34 from VA + $6,000.00 from the university) for tuition and fees.
Tutorial Assistance
Individuals are entitled to payment, not to exceed $100 monthly and up to a maximum of $1,200
over the course of the entitlement period, for tutorial assistance provided the IHL certifies that the
individuals need tutoring to pass a course(s) required for the approved program of education. The
maximum tutorial assistance is not reduced depending on the length of qualifying active duty
service. Tutorial assistance does not reduce the entitlement period and does not reduce other
benefit payments.
Licensing and Certification Test Fees
A fee of up to $2,000 may be reimbursed for each approved licensing or certification test as long
as the payment does not exceed the individual’s remaining Post-9/11 GI Bil entitlement or the
test fee.71 The benefit is available regardless of whether individuals pass the test. For tests taken
in AY2018-2019 and beyond, the entitlement charge is prorated based on the amount of the test
fee in relation to the monthly test fee entitlement charge rate ($2,172.71 in AY2021-2022).72

71 Prior to a P.L. 111-377 amendment, which went into effect August 1, 2011, individuals were eligible for a fee of up
to $2,000 for one approved licensing or certification test. T he maximum fee was not reduced depending on the length
of active duty service. T he fee did not reduce the entitlement period and did not reduce other benefit payments under
the Post -9/11 GI Bill.
72 Prior to P.L. 115-48, for AY2017-2018 and earlier, each test regardless of the reimbursement amount reduced an
individual’s entitlement by a minimum of one month. T he monthly test fee entitlement charge rate is established in 38
U.S.C. §3315 as the equivalent entitlement charge of $1,460 for the academic year beginning August 1, 2011, and
increased annually thereafter according to the average increase in undergraduate tuition in the United States as
determined by ED.
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Neither the benefit nor the entitlement charge depends on the length of qualifying active duty
service.
National Tests
Individuals may receive reimbursement for a national test for admission to an IHL, a national test
providing an opportunity for course credit at an IHL, and a national test that evaluates prior
learning and knowledge and that provides an opportunity for course credit at an IHL.73 The
maximum benefit for a test is the individual’s remaining Post-9/11 GI Bil entitlement. The
entitlement charge is prorated based on the amount of the test fee in relation to the monthly test
fee entitlement charge rate ($2,172.71 in AY2021-2022).74
Relocation and Travel Assistance
Individuals who reside in rural counties and who either relocate a distance of at least 500 miles to
pursue a program of education or must travel by air to attend an IHL are entitled to a single
payment of up to $500. The relocation assistance does not reduce the entitlement period, does not
reduce other benefit payments, and is not reduced depending on the length of qualifying active
duty service.
Advance Payments
VA guidance and policy documents indicate that advance payments are not available under the
Post-9/11 GI Bil .75 In general, an advance payment is the first partial and first full month of the
housing al owance and may be available only to individuals who are planning to enroll more than
half-time and who have not received educational assistance benefits in 30 days or more. Advance
payments are sent to the educational institution for disbursal to the student within 30 days of the
start of the academic term.
Supplemental Assistance
Military service branches may provide various incentives to recruit and retain high quality
individuals in the Armed Forces. Eligible recruits and servicemembers may be given a choice of
one of several incentives such as cash bonuses. Enlistment kickers, affiliation kickers, and
reenlistment kickers are based on the criticality of skil and/or unit or the length of service
commitment and are realized when the individuals use their GI Bil benefit.76 The expected
benefit amount is deposited into the DOD Educational Benefits Trust Fund until the individuals

73 P.L. 111-377 allowed reimbursement for national tests effective August 1, 2011. P.L. 115-48 permits reimbursement
for national tests that provide course credit for prior learning at an IHL effective August 1, 2018.
74 Prior to a P.L. 115-48 amendment that went into effect for tests taken in AY2018-2019 and beyond, the entitlement
charge was one month (rounded to the nearest whole non -zero month) for each payment that equaled the monthly rate
for that academic year. T herefore, for AY2017-2018 and earlier, each test reduced an individual’s entitlement by a
minimum of one month. T he monthly test fee entitlement charge rate is established in 38 U .S.C. §3315A as the
equivalent entitlement charge of $1,460 for the academic year beginning August 1, 2011, and increased annually
thereafter according to the average increase in undergraduate tuition in the United States as determined by ED .
75 Regulations provide eligibility requirements for advance payments of the monthly housing allowance. 38 C.F.R.
§21.9680(b)(2); U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, School Certifying Official Handbook, Revision 6.1: August 7,
2020.
76 32 C.F.R. §65.6(b).
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take advantage of the benefit, at which time the benefit amount is transferred to VA for payment.77
The additional assistance, $150–$950, is added to the individuals’ monthly housing al owance. As
a result, individuals who enroll half-time or less or who are serving on active duty are not eligible
because they are not eligible to receive a housing al owance.78 The amount may be reduced
depending on the individuals’ time served on active duty and, for individuals who make an
irrevocable election to receive Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits in lieu of benefits under the MGIB-AD
or MGIB-SR, in proportion to the rate of pursuit.79
Tuition Assistance “Top-Up” Program
The Tuition Assistance (TA) “Top-Up” program was established under the Floyd D. Spence
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (P.L. 106-398) to promote retention.
Under Tuition Assistance Top-Up, Post-9/11 GI Bil -eligible servicemembers receiving TA
benefits on active duty may elect to receive Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits to pay tuition and fees
charges above the amount paid by TA. Individuals may not receive more Post-9/11 GI Bil
benefits than the individuals would have otherwise been eligible. The amount of Top-Up is not
reduced by the length of time served on qualifying active duty. Entitlement is charged one month
for each month enrolled full-time and proportional y reduced based on the rate of pursuit.
Unused MGIB-AD Contributions
Individuals are general y required to make a $1,200 contribution to be eligible for the
Montgomery GI Bil -Active Duty (MGIB-AD) benefits. For individuals who make an irrevocable
election to receive Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits in lieu of MGIB-AD benefits, their unused MGIB-
AD contributions are refunded as an addition to the last Post-9/11 GI Bil monthly housing
al owance once the entitlement period is exhausted. If individuals are not eligible for the monthly
housing al owance or fail to exhaust the entitlement period, the unused MGIB-AD contributions
are not refunded.
MGIB-AD Buy Up Program
Under the MGIB-AD $600 Buy-Up program, servicemembers may contribute up to $600 to the
military service branch in multiples of $20 and receive for every $20 contributed up to an
additional $5 every month (up to $5,400 total) during which the individuals receive MGIB-AD
benefits. Individuals in the Post-9/11 GI Bil forfeit any contributions to the $600 MGIB-AD Buy
Up program.
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
Under the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship, VA is authorized to grant up to an additional
nine months of limited entitlement to selected Post-9/11 GI Bil participants.80 Therefore, an
individual could receive 36 months of Post-9/11 GI Bil entitlement and 9 months of STEM
Scholarship entitlement for a total of 45 months of aggregate entitlement. The scholarship is

77 Funding may also be paid from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations.
78 Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Directive-Type Memorandum (DTM) 09-003: Post-9/11 GI Bill, June 22,
2009, Incorporating Change 2, September 14, 2011.
79 P.L. 111-377 reduced the supplemental assistance in proportion to the rate of pursuit, effective August 1, 2011.
80 P.L. 115-48 enacted the Edith Nourse Rogers ST EM Scholarship.
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intended to provide selected individuals extra time to achieve their educational objective in
qualifying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
To be eligible for selection, the Post-9/11 GI Bil participant must have exhausted or almost
(within 180 days) exhausted his or her Post-9/11 GI Bil entitlement. Individuals using transferred
Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits (see the section entitled “Transferees”) are not eligible.81 In addition, to
be eligible the individual must be enrolled in one of the following programs:
 a bachelor’s degree program in a qualifying STEM field or a dual-degree
program that includes a bachelor’s degree in a qualifying STEM field,82
 a teacher certification program following completion of a postsecondary degree
in a qualifying STEM field, or
 a health care clinical training program following completion of a postsecondary
degree, including a graduate degree, in a qualifying STEM field. 83
The qualifying STEM fields are listed in statutory provisions and may be augmented by the
Secretary.
Final y, the aggregate scholarship payments to al selected individuals are limited to $0 in
FY2018; $25 mil ion in FY2019, starting on August 1, 2019; $75 mil ion in each of FY2020
through FY2022; and $100 mil ion in each fiscal year thereafter. If insufficient funds are
available to meet demand, the Secretary may prioritize individuals who require the most credit
hours and individuals at the 100% benefit level. Within these priorities, the law establishes the
order in which the Secretary must prioritize individuals, with those pursuing an undergraduate
degree receiving precedence.84 An individual’s scholarship payments may not exceed $30,000 for
tuition and fees, the housing al owance, and the books and supplies stipend during the additional
entitlement period. An individual in receipt of a STEM Scholarship may be eligible for the
Yel ow Ribbon program but may not receive the VA match. An individual in receipt of a STEM
Scholarship is not eligible for tutorial assistance, test fees, and relocation and travel assistance.
Relationship to Other Programs for Veterans
Combining GI Bill Benefits: 48-Month Rule
Many individuals are eligible for more than one veterans’ educational assistance program.
Individuals who served on active duty after June 30, 1985, may be eligible for the Montgomery
GI Bil -Active Duty (MGIB-AD; 38 U.S.C., Chapter 30). Individuals who are serving in the
Selected Reserve may be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bil -Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR; 10
U.S.C., Chapter 1606). Individuals who have served in the Armed Forces and who are or were the

81 Individuals who lost REAP eligibility as a result of its sunset and who had service credited toward Post -9/11 GI Bill
eligibility are also likely ineligible.
82 As originally enacted, each bachelor’s degree program had to require more than 128 semester (or 192 quarter) credit
hours. Prior to implementation of the Edith Nourse Rogers ST EM Scholarship , P.L. 116-36 amended the requirement
to at least 120 semester (or 180 quarter) credit hours.
83 P.L. 116-315 expanded eligibility for the ST EM Scholarship to individuals enrolled in such dual-degree programs
and health care clinical training programs, effective January 5, 2021. T he clinical train ing programs must be required
for a health care professional to be licensed to practice in a state or locality.
84 P.L. 116-315 made prioritization optional but established a rank priority order of individuals depending on the type
of program: (1st) undergraduate degree, (2nd) teaching certificate, (3rd) dual-degree program, (4th) clinical training
program following an undergraduate degree, and (5th) clinical training program following a graduate degree.
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dependents of servicemembers who were disabled, delayed,85 or died as a result of military
service may be eligible for the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program
(DEA; 38 U.S.C., Chapter 35). Statutory provisions govern how and to what extent benefits from
different programs may be combined and used.
With a few exceptions, veterans and servicemembers with more than one qualifying active duty
service period or event can general y combine educational benefit programs administered by VA
to receive no more than 48 months of educational benefits.86 The 48-month limit may be
exceeded to support veterans and servicemembers through the end of an academic term on a
semester or quarter calendar, or for up to 12 weeks through course completion if on a non-
standard term calendar after half of the course is completed.87 Individuals eligible for the Post-
9/11 GI Bil based on their service and eligible for transferred Post-9/11 GI Bil benefits are not
subject to the 48-month limit.88 Effective October 1, 2013, DEA-eligible individuals who are also
eligible for another GI Bil program may combine benefit programs to receive up to 81 months of
entitlement.89 Receipt of the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship does not count toward the
48-month limit.90
If individuals with a single period of qualifying service make an irrevocable election for the Post-
9/11 GI Bil after using some entitlement under the MGIB-AD, MGIB-SR, or REAP, the Post-
9/11 GI Bil entitlement is equal to the remaining months of entitlement under the other program.
However for service before August 1, 2011, an individual who exhausts benefits under one
program may make an irrevocable election to use the same period of qualifying active duty
service to receive an additional 12 months of benefits (up to 48 aggregate months) under the Post-
9/11 GI Bil . However, benefits cannot be received concurrently under more than one program.

85 A servicemember is delayed if the person is listed as missing in action, captured in the line of duty, or forcibly
detained as a result of active duty service.
86 In 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the 2019 United States Court of Appeals for
Veterans Claims decision that individuals with more than one period of separately qualifying service could not be
required to irrevocably relinquish benefits attributable to one period of service to receive benefits attributable to a
different period of service and could not be limited to 36 months of aggregate entitlement if the individuals do not
exhaust entitlement under one program attributable to one period of service before receiving benefits under a different
program attributable to a different period of service (meaning such individuals with more than one period of separately
qualifying service could receive entitlement under both programs subject to a 36 -month cap on utilization of each of the
two separate programs and a 48-month cap overall). Rudisill v. McDonough, 4 F.4th 1297, 1304-05 (Fed. Cir. 2021).
Aggregate educational assistance may not exceed 48 months under the following programs: Chapters 30, 32, 33, 34, 35,
and 36 of T itle 38 U.S.C.; Chapters 106a, 1606, and 1607 of T itle 10 U.S.C.; Section 903 of the Department of Defense
Authorization Act, 1981 (10 U.S.C. 2141 note); the Hostage Relief Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 5561 note); and the Omnibus
Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4801).
87 Carr v. Wilkie, 961 F.3d 1168 (Fed. Cir. 2020) is effective beginning June 11, 2020, and also applies to cases
currently on appeal with the Board of Veterans Appeals or still appealable to VA (those decided within one year of date
of decision: June 11, 2020). Email from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration,
Education Service to Stakeholders, Important GI Bill Update: 48 -Month Rule, October 28, 2020.
88 38 C.F.R. §21.9750(m).
89 As enacted by the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-154),
the allowance of 81 months of entitlement applies only to entitlement that was not exhausted prio r to October 1, 2013.
90 P.L. 116-315 established this exclusion.
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Relationship to the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program
(VR&E)
Post-9/11 GI Bil -eligible individuals who receive benefits from the Veteran Readiness and
Employment Program (VR&E), formerly known as the Vocational Rehabilitation and
Employment Program, are eligible for an alternative subsistence al owance.91 VR&E is an
entitlement program that provides job training and related services to veterans with service-
connected disabilities. VR&E participants receive a subsistence al owance based on the number
of dependents, type of education or training pursued, and rate of attendance. Effective October 1,
2020, the regular subsistence al owance for full-time training at an IHL is $955.92 monthly for
individuals with two dependents.92 Individuals eligible for both VR&E and the Post-9/11 GI Bil
may choose to receive the regular subsistence al owance or the E-5 with dependents BAH for the
zip code in which the rehabilitation program is located.93
VR&E benefits are typical y limited to 48 months, though the benefit period can be extended
under certain circumstances. Veterans who use VR&E benefits prior to using any VA educational
assistance benefits such as GI Bil benefits may be eligible for up to 48 total months of
educational benefits. However, the use of educational benefit entitlement before VR&E reduces
the 48-month VR&E entitlement availability.94
Relationship to Unemployment Compensation for
Ex-Servicemembers (UCX)
Post-9/11 GI Bil -eligible individuals may also be eligible to receive Unemployment
Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX), which provides income support to former active
duty military personnel or reservists who were recently released from active duty while they
search for work. Individuals may not establish Post-9/11 GI Bil and UCX eligibility based on the
same period of service. Individuals receiving a Post-9/11 GI Bil al owance are prohibited from
receiving UCX, unless the individuals are otherwise entitled to UCX; are receiving Post-9/11 GI
Bil benefits based on their own service or through the Fry Scholarship; are not receiving Title 10
retired pay; and were discharged from the Armed Forces or Commissioned Corps of NOAA under
honorable conditions, but did not voluntarily separate.95
Participation and Cost
The Post-9/11 GI Bil is an appropriated entitlement program, meaning the entitlement spending
is funded in annual appropriations acts. While the funding is provided in the annual
appropriations acts, the level of spending for appropriated entitlements is not controlled through
the annual appropriations process. Instead, the level of spending for appropriated entitlements is

91 For more detailed information on the VR&E program, see CRS Report RL34627, Veterans’ Benefits: The Veteran
Readiness and Em ploym ent Program
.
92 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E): Subsistence Allowance Rates,”
press release, Last updated: October 8, 2020, https://www.benefits.va.gov/VOCREHAB/
subsistence_allowance_rates.asp.
93 T his provision went into effect August 1, 2011, as a consequence of P.L. 111-377.
94 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, “Important GI Bill Update: VA will not
count Chapter 31 against GI Bill education benefits,” Let ter to Students, April 7, 2021.
95 Section 560 of P.L. 114-92.
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based on the benefit and eligibility criteria established in law, and the amount provided in
appropriations acts is based on meeting this projected level.
Obligations for the Post-9/11 GI Bil increased from $5.5 bil ion in FY2010, the first full year of
implementation, to a high of $11.6 bil ion in FY2016 before declining to an estimated $9.7 bil ion
in FY2022 (Table 3). Participation has increased from over 350,000 in FY2010 to a high of over
790,000 in each of FY2014-FY2016 before decreasing to an estimate of almost 625,000 in
FY2022. On average, in FY2010 participants received almost $14,500 each in benefits, and
participants in FY2022 are estimated to receive almost $15,500 each. Participation data by
program of education are not currently available.
Table 3. Post-9/11 GI Bill Obligations, Participation, and Benefit Amount per
Participant: FY2009-FY2022
Average Benefit
Obligations
per Participant
Fiscal Year
($ in thousands)
Participationa
($)
2009b
162,053
34,393
4,712
2010
5,542,843
365,640
14,466
2011
7,656,490
555,329
13,871
2012
8,476,227
646,302
13,080
2013
10,184,499
754,529
13,465
2014
10,754,649
790,408
13,606
2015
11,234,014
790,507
14,167
2016
11,583,408
790,090
14,661
2017
11,056,959
755,476
14,636
2018
10,673,744
708,069
15,074
2019
10,748,939
714,346
15,047
2020
10,108,335
657,927
15,364
2021 (estimate)
9,688,949
613,877
15,783
2022 (estimate)
9,672,178
624,686
15,483
Source: President’s Budget Submission, Volume III Benefits and Burial Programs and Departmental
Administration, FY2011-FY2022.
a. Participants include veterans, servicemembers, and dependents. Participants may receive benefits in more
than one year and from more than one program in the same year.
b. Since the program went into effect on August 1, 2009, two months before the end of FY2009, the data do
not reflect the ful year.


Author Information

Cassandria Dortch

Specialist in Education Policy

Congressional Research Service

26

The Post-9/11 GI Bill: A Primer



Disclaimer
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Congressional Research Service
R42755 · VERSION 21 · UPDATED
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