Benefit Comparison
For many eligible participants, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is a better alternative than other education benefit programs, such as the Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty, Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve and the Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP). However, this decision depends on several factors, including the type of education or training you plan to take and the amount of benefits received under each program.
To see case studies showing the difference between the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty) click here.
To see case studies showing the difference between the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill (Reserves) and the REAP program click here.
What type of training do you plan on taking?
Types of training that can be taken under current GI Bill benefits include college (undergraduate, graduate), certificate programs, on-the-job training, apprenticeship training, flight training, and non-college degree courses. The Post-9/11 GI Bill can only be used for programs taken at a college or university.
To see a breakdown of which types of training are covered under each GI Bill click here.
If you are eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill and other GI Bill benefits such as the Montgomery GI Bill you will be required to make an irrevocable choice of which benefit you wish to receive. If, however you switch training programs AND you have eligibility under more than one type of GI Bill you MAY be able to change which GI Bill you draw depending on your eligibility.
For example: you have eligibility under the Post 9/11 GI Bill and the Selected Reserve GI Bill. You can get a degree in electrical engineering under the Post-9/11 GI Bill at a community college, then you can enroll in an apprenticeship program with the electrician’s union under the Selected Reserve GI Bill and receive Journeyman certification.
How much money will you get under each benefit?
The monetary issue is most likely a very important factor you will consider before selecting a benefit. While you may think you will receive more money under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, that will not always be the case.
Under the Post 9/11 GI Bill you may receive:
- a tuition & fees payment (paid directly to the school) not to exceed the tuition & fees at the most expensive state Institution of Higher Learning (IHL)
For a listing of the maximum tuition & fees for each state click here
- a monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. This amount is based on the ZIP code of the location of the school you are attending
To determine the BAH for your ZIP code click here (link goes to a non-VA website)
- an annual book stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment
- you may also receive a one-time rural benefit payment of $500.00 if you reside in a county with 6 persons or less per square mile (as determined by the most recent decennial census) and:
- either physically relocate at least 500 miles to attend an educational institution or
- travel by air to physically attend an educational institution if no other land-based transportation exists
Under all other GI Bill programs:
- you will receive a monthly payment at a rate set by Congress that does not vary based on your expenses.
To see a breakdown of the monetary benefits under the various GI Bills click here.
Factors to consider:
- In some locations the costs of college and housing (which you would receive payment for under the Post-9/11 GI Bill) are less than the payment you would receive under the Montgomery GI Bill.
- In some states veterans do not have to pay tuition at selected state colleges. The Post-9/11 GI Bill may then pay only the housing benefit and the book stipend. (Since you have no tuition costs the Post-9/11 GI Bill will not pay the college any tuition.) Your payments under other GI Bill programs such as the Active-Duty GI Bill may be higher in these cases. Click here to see other GI Bill rates.
- If you are eligible for a college fund under other GI Bill programs, you will continue to receive your college fund payments. Rather than receiving them monthly, you will be paid a lump sum payment each quarter, semester, or term that you are enrolled.
- If you participated in the $600 buy-up under the Montgomery GI Bill or REAP you will not receive that additional benefit under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
Different amounts payable based on time served.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill payment is based on the amount of service completed after September 10, 2001. Your tuition & fees payment, housing allowance, and book stipend are all based on this percentage. You will receive a larger benefit if you served more active duty or mobilization time.
To see a breakdown of the amount payable based on service completed after September 10, 2001 click here.
For an explanation of the various types of training click here.
| Type of Training | Post-9/11 GI Bill | Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty | Montgomery GI Bill-Reserves | REAP |
| IHL in residence 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| IHL online only & Distance/Internet Training | Yes 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NCD 5 | See note 5 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| OJT & Apprenticeship Training | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flight Training | No 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Correspondence | No 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Licensing & Certification | Yes4 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| National Testing Programs | No 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Entrepreneurship Training | No 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Accelerated Payment | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Co-op Training | No 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Work-Study Program | Yes 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tuition Assistance Top Up | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Tutorial Assistance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
1 Degree programs and certificate programs offered by an IHL are approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. An IHL is defined as an Institution of Higher Learning – or a degree granting institution. Certificate and diploma programs offered by institutions that do not grant degrees are not covered.
2 If you are enrolled entirely in an online or distance learning program your payment is limited to the tuition & fees not to exceed the tuition & fees at the most expensive in-state Institution of Higher Learning (IHL). You will not receive the housing allowance.
3 If your training is offered at an IHL you may be eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
4 Limited to one test.
5 Non College Degree (NCD) program. An NCD program offered at an IHL is approved. If offered at other than an IHL it is not approved
Reminder: The Post-9/11 GI Bill is only payable at an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL), you are only eligible for GI Bill benefits for other types of training if you have eligibility under other GI Bill programs such as the Active Duty GI Bill, Reserve GI Bill, REAP, or VEAP. You should contact your Education Service Officer or the VA for more information.
For active-duty personnel, the following table applies:
| Active Duty Completed after September 10, 2001 | Percentage of Maximum Amount Payable |
| At least 36 months | 100% |
| At least 30 continuous days on active duty and discharged due to service-connected disability | 100% |
| 30 months to 36 months | 90% |
| 24 months to 30 months | 80% |
| 18 months to 24 months | 70% |
| 12 months to 18 months | 60% |
| 6 months to 12 months | 50% |
| 90 days to 6 months | 40% |
For reservists, the following table applies:
| Post-9/11 Service | Percentage of Maximum Amount Payable |
| At least 36 cumulative months | 100% |
| At least 30 continuous days on active duty and discharged due to service-connected disability | 100% |
| At least 30 cumulative months | 90% |
| At least 24 cumulative months | 80% |
| At least 18 cumulative months | 70% |
| At least 12 cumulative months | 60% |
| At least 6 cumulative months | 50% |
| 90 aggregate days | 40% |
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