Can I Use the GI Bill Outside of Florida?

If you are talking about the federal GI Bill, then yes, you can use it anywhere in the United States, including our territories. As far as having to pay out-state tuition, in most cases yes you will have to.

The two instances I can think of where you would not is if you attend a school in a state having reciprocity with Florida or attend a school in one of six states that don’t charge veterans tuition; those states are Texas, Connecticut, Illinois, Montana, Wisconsin and Wyoming. As each state administers their program a little differently,  check the rules on each states’ website.

As far as out-state tuition, what the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) and Post 9/11 GI Bill pay differs.  With the MGIB, you get a fixed amount (right now, it is $1,368 per month) regardless of your tuition costs and you have to pay all your own costs.

With the Post 9/11 GI Bill, the VA pays your school directly up to the in-state, public school, undergraduate program maximum. If you are paying out-state tuition, you will have to make up the difference between what your school charges and what the VA pays.

If you will have to pay out-state tuition, ask if your school is a Yellow Ribbon school.  If so, the school can pay up to 50% of what the VA does not pay and the VA will pay an equal amount.  This could help you out a lot.

If you are referring to a Florida GI Bill veteran benefit, then you are most likely limited to schools in Florida.