VA School Benefits 2025: Eligibility, Application and Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits

VA School Benefits 2025: The GI Bill (primarily Post-9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 33) + other VA educational programs help veterans, active duty service members, reservists, National Guard, and in many cases their dependents, to pay for college, technical or vocational training, certificates, licensing/certification tests, etc.

These benefits can include:

• Tuition & fees (sometimes fully covered, especially for public/in-state schooling)
• Housing allowances (if enrolled more than half time)
• Money for books/supplies
• Additional benefits: work-study, licensing/certification test payments, tutorial assistance, etc.

There are also special programs for dependents/spouses, and programs for those with service-connected disabilities (e.g. VR&E).

Post-9/11 GI Bill: Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility depends on which benefit, your service history, discharge status, etc. Some of the major criteria:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33): You must have served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, have an honorable discharge, and meet one of the service criteria (e.g. at least 90 days of aggregate active service, or 30 continuous days if discharged due to disability, or other qualifying circumstances).
• If using benefits as a dependent (spouse/child), there are separate rules and separate forms.
• Some benefits (e.g. Montgomery GI Bill, Selected Reserve) have their own eligibility rules.

One important update: Under the Forever GI Bill (Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act), if you were discharged on or after January 1, 2013, your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits do not expire, you can use them anytime. For earlier service, there may still be a deadline.

Also, there has been a recent decision (the Rudisill decision) that affects entitlement if you have more than one qualifying period of active duty, possibly allowing additional months of benefits.

What You Should Prepare Before Applying?

To make the process go smoother, gather the following:

1. Your personal and identifying information include Social Security number, bank account information for direct deposit, and contact/address information.

2. Educational history like information about schools attended, transcripts, etc.

3. Periods of service, releases (e.g., DD-214), times of active service, and the type of separation. These crucial informations are necessary

4. Data about the educational institution or training course for which you prepare. Title, location, and the status of the school in regard to the GI Bill should be there.

Moreover, it is advised that you utilize resources offered by the VA, such as the GI Bill Comparison Tool, to find institutions and forecast your benefits for various choices. This keeps you from unexpected situations.

Chapter 31 VA Benefits 2025: Everything You Need to Know About Rehabilitation Plans

VA School Benefits 2025: How to Apply for Post-9/11 GI Bill?

Options and detailed steps about how you apply are:

1. Complete the appropriate VA form

VA Form 22-1990 is used by veterans, service members, and eligible individuals when filing a claim for educational benefits.

In case you are the child or spouse of the veteran, and you are applying for a program such as Dependents’ Educational Assistance, then VA Form 22-5490 could be the one you need.

2. Application submission

Generally, it is by far the quickest way to submit an application online via the VA.gov website. The signing in (typically via ID.me or an alternative approved method) is necessary.

Printed and mailed to the regional VA processing office is the preferred way of some people.

Drop-off at the VA regional office with VA staff is another option you could consider.

In addition, you can reach out to accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) or attorneys if you need assistance in filling out forms.

3. Get COE

Upon approval of your application, VA issues a Certificate of Eligibility. This certificate indicates the program under which you qualify for the benefits and shows up the extent of the benefit that you will be entitled to.

4. Work with your school to get the enrollment certified

Locate the school personnel authorized to certify (this is usually the Registrar or Financial Aid office). They will determine whether your program/training qualifies for benefits, etc.

Fill out the necessary application forms, which may require transcripts from previous institutions.

5. Enrollment / Monthly Verification, if required

Some benefit programs sign up as needing the monthly verification of enrollment made for the monthly housing allowance or any other part of the benefit. Thus, do not forget to complete the necessary steps if you want to keep getting the payments.

What Happens After You Apply?

The VA typically takes about 30 days to process education benefit claims once everything is submitted.

If the VA needs additional documents, they will notify you. You’ll usually be asked to send the extra paperwork (e.g. proof of service, transcripts).

When approved, the VA will provide you the COE. Then your school certifies your enrollment, and payments start going either to you (for stipend/housing) or to the school (tuition/fees) depending on the benefit.

Tips to Maximize Your Benefits

1. Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to compare schools, understand what the GI Bill will cover vs what you’ll have to pay.

2. See if your educational institution is part of the Yellow Ribbon Program: If your tuition goes beyond what the Post-9/11 GI Bill is covering, especially in the case of a private or out-of-state school, then the Yellow Ribbon will help pay for the rest.

3. Make sure your information is accurate and up-to-date: If you’re switching schools or changing programs, you’ll need to fill out a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (VA Form 22-1995 or the like). If not, you might be losing your rights or experiencing waiting times.

4. Know thoroughly about the deadlines and the enrollment status that are important: The difference between full-time and half-time, drop deadlines, etc., can influence your benefits (housing allowance, stipend, etc.).

5. Keep every piece of document safe: Discharge papers, transcripts, and correspondence with the VA, etc., are all important in case of an inquiry later on.