The maximum academic year cap for Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition payment at private and foreign schools will increase to $21,084.89 on August 1, 2015. The current maximum academic year cap for private and foreign schools is $20,235.02. An academic year is defined by the VA as August 1 – July 31. Students attending a private or foreign school who have tuition and fees higher than the academic year cap must make up any tuition reimbursement shortfall through personal funds or financial aid.
For public schools, the Post-9/11 GI Bill can cover up to 100% of the in-state tuition and fee charges.
In accordance with The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 public schools must charge all eligible Veterans who have been out of the military for less than 3 years, and their dependents who are using transferred benefits the resident, in-state tuition rate. If schools do not comply with this law by July 1, 2015 they will lose their GI Bill certification, and Veterans attending them risk losing GI Bill benefits. According to the latest information released by the VA, only Georgia and Texas are presently in compliance with that law, although many states are working on legislation to comply.
Schools can choose to participate in the Yellow Ribbon program which can waive a portion of the difference in the tuition GI Bill recipients are charged and the amount covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Prospective students should verify a school’s participation in the Yellow Ribbon program prior to enrolling.
The amount of tuition & fees covered by the GI Bill is determined by a Veteran’s Post-9/11-GI Bill entitlement percentage which is based on the amount of active duty service after September 10, 2001. For example, if a Veteran has served 24 months active duty after September 10, 2001 their GI Bill percentage is 80%. A Veteran attending a public school as an in-state resident with tuition of $10,000 a semester would have 80% of their tuition and fees or $8,000 paid by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Veterans who have served more than 36 months active duty receive 100% of the entitlement percentage. Active duty time for the Post-9/11 GI Bill can also include Title 10 mobilizations for reservists & guard members.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill also pays recipients a Monthly Housing Allowance which is based on the military’s Basic Allowance for Housing an E-5 with dependents would receive. The GI Bill Monthly Housing Allowance is adjusted annually on August 1 to keep track with the Basic Allowance for Housing rate but it will not decrease unless a student changes schools or degree programs.
