I Am Using My Dad’s Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits, Do I Have To Use Them In the State He Retired In?

Hi DeAnna, That is a really good question, I’m surprised I haven’t been asked it before.  I am assuming that you have already been approved for your dad’s Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, or the transfer of benefits is in the works.  The answer to your question is you can use the benefits in any state you wish to use them in.  One thing to keep in mind however, if you attend a school in a state where you are not a resident, you may have to pay out of state tuition.  The Post 9/11 GI Bill will cover tuition costs for the highest costing undergraduate tuition at a state supported school for an in-state student. 

So as an example, let’s say you live in Alabama, but want to attend the University of Florida.  I am going to pull figures out of the air here, but let’s say that Florida State University has the highest tuition for a state supported undergraduate program, and for an in-state student that tuition is $400 a credit hour.  The Post 9/11 GI Bill will cover your tuition at the University of Florida for up to $400 a credit hour, and any amount over that figure that you may have to pay for being an out of state student, you will be responsible for.  There is a listing of the maximum tuition covered per state on GIBill.com’s site.

You may be able to get some of the tuition difference covered if you pick a school that is participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program.  If the school is participating in the program, and you are approved for the program by the school, they will pay a portion of the overage not covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill, and the VA will match the amount the school contributes.  Good luck, and thanks for the great question!