New Post 9/11 GI Bill In Effect

VA News Release

May 1, 2009

VA starts accepting applications for the Post 9/11 GI Bill on May 1, 2009. Individuals with active duty service since September 11, 2001, may be eligible for this benefit and can apply online at www.gibill.va.gov. The program provides tuition and fees, a housing allowance, a books and supplies stipend, and the option to transfer these benefits to family members under certain circumstances. By law, the new benefit is effective August 1, 2009. For more information, visit the GI Bill website or call 1–888–GIBILL–1 (1–888–442–4551).

Veterans may also contact the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, Education Division, at 404-656-2306. Veterans who qualify under previous GI Bill provisions are especially encouraged to find out how the new options could affect them.

Factors to consider when deciding if you should apply for Chapter 33 benefits.

1. Which benefit pays you more?

• What Chapter 33 tier are you eligible for?

• Are you receiving other aid? Does that pay tuition and fees? (HOPE, Scholarship etc)

• Does your type & level of training qualify you to get Housing allowance.

• What is your planned level of enrollment for the term.

2. What type of training are you enrolling in?

• Online? To receive Housing Allowance at least one class must be at a class room and you must be enrolled at over half time.

• Covered under Chapter 33? NCD, Flight, Correspondence, and OJT/Apprenticeship are not covered

3. How many months of MGIB-AD Chapter 30 do you have remaining?

If you have entitlement remaining under MGIB-AD, the number of months of the Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement you will be eligible for will be equal to the number of months remaining under MGIB-AD. However, if you exhaust all of your MGIB-AD entitlement, then you may be entitled to an additional 12 months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

4. Comparison available at www.gibill.va.gov.