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Last updated: October 28, 2026. Checked against official sources; reviewed when they change.
Short answer: You may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) if you served at least 90 days on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, or meet one of VA’s other tests below. At the maximum level it covers the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees, plus money for housing and books, according to VA’s Post-9/11 GI Bill page.
Who qualifies for the Post-9/11 GI Bill
VA says at least one of these must be true:
- You served at least 90 days on active duty, all at once or with breaks, on or after Sept. 11, 2001.
- You received a Purple Heart on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service.
- You served at least 30 continuous days on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability.
- You are a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying veteran or service member.
Some service does not count
VA treats certain periods as non-qualifying, including time as a service academy cadet or midshipman and service that counts toward a Defense Department Loan Repayment Program, ROTC scholarship or academy graduation obligation.
Veterans who also earned the Montgomery GI Bill may get more. Under the Rudisill decision, VA says those with two or more qualifying periods of active duty, or 56 months or more of service, may qualify for up to 48 months of combined benefits instead of the usual 36. VA says it reviews entitlement automatically.
What the GI Bill pays for
| Benefit | What VA says it covers |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | Full public, in-state tuition and fees at the maximum level; capped rates for private and foreign schools, updated yearly |
| Monthly housing allowance | Paid if you are in school more than half-time, based on the cost of living where the school is |
| Books and supplies | A stipend up to a yearly maximum |
| Tutoring | Help paying a tutor if you are struggling with coursework |
| Tests | Repayment for national exams and certain licensing and certification tests and prep courses |
| Work-study and rural moves | Paid work while enrolled; a one-time payment for some students moving from very rural counties |
The benefit can also pay for vocational training, apprenticeships and on-the-job training, flight training, entrepreneurship training and distance learning. To keep receiving the housing allowance, VA says you must verify your enrollment every month.
Do GI Bill benefits expire?
It depends on when you left active duty. If your service ended before January 1, 2013, benefits expire 15 years after your last separation date. If it ended on or after January 1, 2013, they do not expire, under the Forever GI Bill (the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act).
How to apply for the GI Bill, step by step
- Compare schools. VA recommends checking what you would receive at a given school with its GI Bill Comparison Tool.
- Gather your information. VA’s how-to-apply page lists your Social Security number, bank direct-deposit details, education and military history, and basic information about the school or training program.
- Apply. Apply online at VA.gov, or mail VA Form 22-1990 to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Claims Intake Center, PO Box 5215, Janesville, WI 53547. An accredited attorney, claims agent or VSO representative can help.
- Track what is left. Once benefits are awarded, your GI Bill Statement of Benefits shows how much entitlement you have used and how much remains.
Yellow Ribbon, transfers and the Fry Scholarship
The Yellow Ribbon Program can cover higher private or out-of-state tuition at participating schools. Qualified service members can transfer all 36 months, or part of them, to a spouse or child; the Defense Department approves transfers. The Fry Scholarship serves children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after Sept. 10, 2001; see our survivor benefits guide. VA’s STEM Scholarship can add up to 9 months of benefits, or $30,000, whichever comes first, for eligible veterans who have used all their Post-9/11 entitlement.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of service do I need for the GI Bill?
Three months of post-9/11 active duty is the usual minimum. A Purple Heart, a disability discharge or a transferred benefit can qualify you with less time; the eligibility list above has the details.
Does the Post-9/11 GI Bill expire?
Not if your service ended on or after January 1, 2013. If it ended earlier, benefits expire 15 years after your last separation from active duty.
Does the GI Bill pay for housing?
Yes. VA pays a monthly housing allowance if you are in school more than half-time, based on the cost of living where your school is located.
Can I transfer my GI Bill to my child?
Qualified service members can transfer all or part of their 36 months to a spouse or child, and the Defense Department approves the transfer.
What is the GI Bill phone number?
VA’s education hotline is 888-442-4551, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Related on Peter’s World
Sources
- VA: Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
- VA: How to apply for the GI Bill and related benefits
- VA: Helpful VA phone numbers
Additional sources
Not affiliated with VA or any government agency. Peter’s World is an independent information site. This page is general information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Benefits depend on your own records, so confirm details with VA, your state veterans office or an accredited representative such as a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative, attorney or claims agent.
By Peter. Prepared with AI assistance and checked against the official sources listed above.
