GI Bill

POST 9/11 GI BILL Marines who are looking to pay for their education through the POST 9/11 GI Bill will receive 100% tuition assistance after 36 months of active duty. Basic eligibility is established with 90 aggregate days of service, and those Marines participating will receive assistance for tuition, fees, books, and supplies. You may be eligible for a monthly housing stipend while on campus, and there's even an opportunity to transfer entitlements to a dependent. MONTGOMERY GI BILL Through the Montgomery GI Bill, Marines receive tax-free assistance toward a college degree. By contributing just $100 per month for one year, you can enroll full or part time. Funds are available after 24 months of active duty, and they can be used for studies at vocational and technical schools, or colleges and universities.

GI Bill benefits are administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and may be used for a variety of programs, including academic degrees, on-the-job training and apprenticeships, non-college programs, licensing and certifications, and testing.

To learn more about the types of programs that can be covered and to apply, visit VA Education And Training Benefits | Veterans Affairs or contact the VA Benefits Advisor in Building 411.

Applying for Benefits

You will need to apply to use your GI Bill benefits through the VA website. Go to How To Apply For The GI Bill And Related Benefits | Veterans Affairs and click the green box that says “Find your education benefits form” to get started.

When applying you will need:

Social Security number
Bank account direct deposit information
Education and military history
Basic information about the school or training facility you want to attend or are attending now

You can expect the VA to process this education claim in about 30 days.

Transfer of Benefits

You may be able to transfer your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits if you are on active duty or in the Selected Reserve and you meet the following criteria:

You’ve completed at least 6 years of service on the date your request is approved, and
You agree to add 4 more years of service, and
The person getting benefits has enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)

To transfer the benefits, you will need to request a Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) through milConnect.

GI Bill Comparison

	Post 9/11 GI Bill	Montgomery GI Bill
When Do I Qualify?	90 days active aggregate service (after 9/10/01) or 30 days continuous if discharged for disability	2 yr. continuous enlistment (minimum duty varies by service, date, branch, etc.)
Maximum # of Benefits	36 months	36 months
Tuition	100% In-State Public Schools Out-of-State/ Private School Max $26,381.37**	Full Time $2210 / month** ¾ Time $1657.50 / month ½ Time $1105 / month
Military Housing Allowance (MHA)	E-5 with dependents (full time) OHA Rate for school location Online Only $916.50 Foreign School $1833	None
Books & Supplies Stipend	$1000	None
How Payments are Made	Tuition: Paid to school Housing stipend: Paid monthly to student Books & Supplies: Paid to student at the beginning of the term	Paid to student
Duration of Benefits	If your release from active duty was before January 1, 2013, there is a 15-year time limitation for use of benefits. For individuals whose last discharge date is on or after January 1. 2013, the time limitation has been removed.	Generally 10 years from last day of active duty
Transferable	Yes	No
Yellow Ribbon Program	Yes	No
Degree Training	Yes	Yes
Non-College Training	Yes	Yes
On-the-Job & Apprenticeship Training	Yes	Yes
Flight Training	Yes (Max $15,075.05)	Yes
Correspondence Courses	Yes (Max $12,831.78)	Yes
Licensing & Certification	Yes	Yes
National Testing Programs	Yes	Yes
Work-Study Programs	Yes	Yes
Tutorial Assistance	Yes $100/month, $1200 Max	Yes, after $600 it affects your entitlement