The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays up to 100 percent of tuition for up to 36 months for active duty service members, veterans, and their dependents in some cases. While most expenses are covered at in-state public universities, students attending out-of-state, private, or international schools are left with unpaid tuition bills after earning the national limit, which is $25,162.14 per academic year for the 2020 school year.
The scheme allows higher education agencies to enter into matching arrangements with the US Department of Veterans Affairs to help offset unpaid tuition bills. Institutions put up a certain amount of money to offset any costs that exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill charge on each student. The Department of Veterans Affairs would then balance the sum up to a limit of 50% of the student’s unpaid tuition bill.
What is the GI Bill Graduate Program?
To learn how the Veterans’ GI Bill works, it’s worth going back in time to see when and why it was created. During WWII, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and members of Congress debated how veterans could be more prepared to return to civilian life while also trying to boost the economy.
The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act signed into law in 1944, founded new hospitals, provided low-interest mortgages, unemployment insurance, and career counseling, and added new school benefits. By 1956, more than 7 million veterans had received some form of GI Bill benefit.
While the GI Bill has evolved over the years, it continues to provide thousands of men and women with access to an education they would not have received otherwise.
How is the Post-9/11 GI Bill® helpful for Graduate Students?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides tuition coverage to those who served in the military for more than 90 days after September 10, 2001. The duration of your benefit plan is determined by the amount of your active service. The Post-9/11 GI Bill® is the most available source of educational coverage for many veterans, so it’s a good place to start when applying for yours.
The events of 9/11 necessitated an expansion of the original GI Bill. Today’s GI Bill includes a slew of perks aimed at thanking our service members and veterans for their sacrifices and easing their integration back into civilian life. Beneficiaries, including children aged 18-33 and spouses, can also use the GI Bill to finance the following:
- Tuition & Supplies
- Home Loan Guarantees
- Monthly Housing Allowance
- Career Training
How much money will graduate students get from the Post 9/11 GI Bill?
The GI Bill covers all tuition and fees at the in-state rate for students attending public colleges and universities, but it does not apply as much to students attending private or for-profit institutions.
If the GI Bill does not offset the whole amount of your education, see if your school participates in the Yellow Ribbon program. This is an agreement reached between schools and the VA to split tuition costs that are not paid by the GI Bill, reducing or eliminating the cost that students will bear on their own.
The program is now only open to veterans and living dependents of service members, although it will be extended to cover active-duty troops in August 2022.
Who qualifies for the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
Individuals must satisfy at least one of the following requirements to be qualified for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, according to the VA:
- Served at least 90 days on active duty (consecutively or intermittently) on or after September 11, 2001; or
- Received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and was honorably discharged after some years of service; or
- Served for at least 30 days (no breaks) on or after September 11, 2001, and was honorably discharged with a service-connected disability.
Certain qualifying military veterans will be able to transfer their benefits to family members. The United States Department of Defense defines the qualifying requirements and policy for transitioning Post-9/11 GI Bill® education benefits.
Armed forces members may use the milConnect website to nominate, alter, or revoke a Transfer of Entitlement request. Individuals who have resigned or divorced are ineligible to be appointed as a transferee.
How to apply for Post 9/11 GI Bill as a Graduate Student?
You can apply for GI Bill benefits online or in person at a VA regional office near you. You may also call 1-888-GI BILL-1 and request that the VA mail you an application.
The application process is straightforward, particularly if done online. The form will request information about your military history, educational history, and the school you wish to attend.
It even requests your Social Security and bank account numbers, so make sure you have those on hand. (While tuition and fees are paid directly to the schools, accommodation and textbook allowances are paid directly to you.)
If you are concerned about the procedure, you should speak with the school certifying official at your college. This person either works in the registrar’s office or the financial aid department at the school and will be able to guide you through the application process.
What is the eligibility for the GI Bill certificate?
When you apply for benefits, the VA will give you a certificate of eligibility outlining just what you are eligible for. When you enroll, you will present this paper to your school.
If your tuition payments are still late, your certificate of eligibility serves as evidence that payment is on the way, which means your school cannot charge you late fees or enforce any conditions if there is an outstanding balance on your account due to no reason of your own.
Keep in mind that the VA can take some time to give you a certificate of eligibility. In the meantime, you can keep track of things by logging into your eBenefits account.
What is the Yellow Ribbon Graduate Program?
Yellow Ribbon is an add-on bonus to the Post-9/11 GI Bill that is distributed to those who have applied, are eligible, and have been awarded to help close the difference between the annual limit and full-time tuition and required fees. It does not cover “everything.” Caps are available for both the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program.
How much money will a graduate student get from the Yellow Ribbon program?
The Yellow Ribbon Program’s tuition can be very confusing. The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay the National Maximum, which is $25,162.14 for the 2020 academic year, for most veterans attending private school or attending public school as non-resident.
When your benefits exceed the National Maximum, you might be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, but not every school participates. To do so, schools must choose to contribute a certain amount per year, which the VA would match.
Participating institutions often select how many students they may sponsor each year; smaller colleges are most likely to sponsor just 20 veterans, while other larger schools have no cap on the number of students who can participate.
The VA offers a search tool to assist you in locating Yellow Ribbon schools in your region and determining how much they can contribute.
Who qualifies for the Yellow Ribbon program?
- You must be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s full benefit rate.
- You may not be on active duty or the spouse of an active duty member who is using transferred entitlement. Starting in 2020, there will be exceptions to this law
- The Yellow Ribbon Program requires your school to agree to participate.
- Your school must certify your enrollment and provide Yellow Ribbon Program details to the VA.
How to apply for the Yellow Ribbon program as a Graduate Student?
To apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program, follow these steps:
- Submit an application for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. If you meet the requirements, the VA will grant you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
- Apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program at your college or university using the COE. They will review your application and contact you with their opinion.
The Yellow Ribbon Program can be a perfect way to get extra money to deal with the expenses of going back to school.
However, when investigating participating colleges, bear in mind that the amount of money you will earn is predetermined by the school and the VA, and may not cover all of your expenses.
What are the limitations on Yellow Ribbon benefits for graduate students?
Eligibility for Yellow Ribbon benefits does not guarantee complete tuition assistance in any program at a participating institution.
Check with your school to see if there are any administrative restrictions on your particular curriculum or degree.
In addition to these restrictions, the school must continue to be a Yellow Ribbon school for each academic year in which you enroll as a student. Your school will be able to validate your Yellow Ribbon eligibility and access for the next academic year.
Certain tuition expenses will never be covered by Yellow Ribbon benefits, even though the student attends a participating institution. Study abroad tuition, room, and board, and other penalties incurred as a result of late admission, parking permits, or any violations by the student are examples of non-eligible college expenses.
The Yellow Ribbon Program provides increased financial assistance to veterans enrolled in expensive colleges and college activities.
This assistance is in addition to the basic services offered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill, but veterans do not expect this service to fund the bulk of their undergraduate or graduate tuition at either university.
Rather, it is important to consult with both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the individual school to decide the precise amount of benefits available.
Differences between the GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Graduate Program
| GI Bill Graduate Program | Yellow Ribbon Graduate Program | |
| Purpose and Scope | Originally established as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act in 1944, the GI Bill provides a range of benefits including tuition coverage, home loan guarantees, and career training for veterans. The Post-9/11 GI Bill, specifically, offers tuition coverage for veterans who served after September 11, 2001. | This is an additional component to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, designed to help cover the gap between the GI Bill funding limits and the actual tuition costs, particularly at private or more expensive institutions. |
| Eligibility | Eligibility is based on service duration and conditions (such as serving for at least 90 days post-9/11, receiving a Purple Heart, or being honorably discharged with a service-connected disability). Benefits can also be transferred to family members under certain conditions. | To be eligible, students must qualify for the full benefit rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Active duty members or spouses using transferred benefits were initially ineligible, although this policy was set to change in 2020. |
| Tuition Coverage | It covers all tuition and fees at in-state rates for public institutions, but its coverage is more limited to private or for-profit institutions. | This program steps in when GI Bill benefits reach their cap, particularly in private schools or for out-of-state tuition in public schools. Participating institutions and the VA share the cost that exceeds the GI Bill cap. |
| Application Process | Veterans can apply online, in person, or by phone. The process requires details about military, educational history, and personal information. | Applicants first need to secure eligibility under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and then apply separately for the Yellow Ribbon Program at their institution. |
| Financial Limits and Restrictions | The benefits are subject to certain limits, such as the national maximum for private schools. | The amount of additional funding varies by institution and is determined jointly by the school and the VA. It has its limitations and doesn’t cover all expenses like study abroad fees, room and board, etc. |
| Benefit Transfer | Allows for the transfer of benefits to family members under specific conditions. | Initially, it was not available to active-duty troops or their spouses, but this was set to change in 2020, indicating some level of transferability or extended eligibility. |
| Additional Features | Besides tuition, it includes benefits like a monthly housing allowance and career training. | Primarily focused on bridging the tuition gap and does not explicitly include additional features like a housing allowance or career training. |