Frequently Asked Questions

New GI Bill-2009

Q: With the new GI Bill do you still have to verify enrollment wave every month?

A: Right now, there isn't a monthly requirement to verify using WAVE, if you are receiving benefits under the new G.I. Bill. The current G.I. Bill information on WAVE only addresses Chapters 30, 1606, and 1607. The new G. I. Bill is covered by Chapters 33 and 38. Go to Question 22 on Page 3 in the above link for the explanation. However, this could change in the future as more information on the new G.I. Bill becomes available.

Q: Does the new GI Bill offer more money than the old GI Bill?

A: It depends on several variables. The Comparison Chart from the VA does a good job of explaining the difference between the two through the use of case studies. First, choose whether you are on Active Duty or in the Reserves. Then, scroll down the G.I. Bill Information Comparison Chart and choose the the specific education scenario matching your situation. You can see the differences there.

Q: Under the new GI Bill, where does my housing allowance money go?

A: According to the VA's Post 9/11 G.I. Bill Benefit Chart, the Housing Stipend, along with the Books and Supplies Stipend, are paid monthly directly to the Veteran. Once at the benefit chart, scroll down to the Administration of Payment. The housing stipend information is in the second paragraph of that section.

GI Bill Details

Q: I live in California and plan to enroll in an online degree program. The max tuition rates for California are listed as $0.00. Does that mean that none of my tuition is covered because the max rate is zero?

A: No, just the reverse. According to the G.I. Bill information, California does not charge it's residents a per-credit tuition, so there is no tuition to cover. However, fees up to $6,586.54 per term are covered. For a complete by-state listing of what tuition and fees are covered, go to the VA's 2008-2009 Maximum In-State Tuition & Fees Payment Chart.

Q: I've heard that some states don't charge veterans tuition. Is it true? How do I find out if my state does this?

A: Right now, six states offer free tuition waivers at state-sponsored schools, as a way of honoring veterans for their service: Texas, Connecticut, Illinois, Montana, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Because each state administers its programs a little differently, read the info on the rules each state has for its own program.
Because California is one of these states, its tuition reimbursement rate will be listed as $0.00. For a complete by-state listing, go over to the VA's State Tuition and Fees Payment Chart.
Also, only the public schools are free. If you go to a private school, check and see if your school is a yellow ribbon school participant. If it is, the school will cover a portion of your tuition and fees (up to half) with the VA paying an equal amount. You are responsible for any amount not paid by the school and the VA.

Q: My books cost $700 last semester. GI Bill benefits paid for some of it, but I still had a lot to cover. Is there a book top up program like there is for tuition?

A: No there isn't a book top-up program. You may be eligible for a work-study program where you could earn some extra money to defray the left-over book costs. The VA Work-Study Pamphlet has more information as far as how to apply, how much you can earn, what type of work you would do, how many hours you can work, etc. You could also consider applying for grants or scholarships. Also check with your school's financial aid office to see if they have any money sources. Many grants and scholarships go unused each year due to a lack of applications.

Q: What's tutorial assistance?

A: Tutorial assistance is a fancy name for individualized training by a tutor. The cost of a tutor may be covered by the VA when they deem it necessary as part of a rehabilitation program or when extra help is necessary in a subject required for graduation. The tutor has to be qualified and cannot be a relative of the veteran.

Montgomery GI Bill

Q: I'm going to school part-time and am about half way done. Should I finish up under the old GI bill, or should I switch to the new one?

A: You will have to finish up under the old G.I. Bill as you probably are not eligible for the new G.I. Bill. You would of had to serve after September 11, 2001, for new G.I. Bill eligibility. The VA's Chart on G.I. Bill Benefit Comparisons does a good job of comparing all the different G.I. Bills currently in effect. Scroll down to the part on eligibility in the Comparison Table.

GI Bill Schools

Q: I want to move, but haven't decided where yet. Is one state better than another in terms of using my GI Bill benefits?

A: Yes, there is a great variation of both the tuition and fees paid in each state. Per credit tuition varies from $0.00 in California to a high of $1,333.00 in Texas. Per term fees also vary from a low of $470.00 in Mississippi to a high of $43,035.00 in Colorado. The VA's by-state list of tuition and fees is a good resource to see what each state pays as far as per-credit-hour tuition and fees-per-term.

Q: Online classes fit my schedule better, but I was told they were too expensive to be covered by my benefit. Is this true?

A: No, it is not true. According to the VA's G.I. Bill Information on programs, as long as the independent, distance learning or Internet classes are administered through an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL), such as four-year universities, community colleges and advance degree colleges, the same G.I. Bill information rules and rates apply.

Q: The online program I'm looking at is through a private school that offers only online programs. How do I figure out how much is covered?

A: The maximum amount paid by the new G.I. Bill is based on the location of the school (or in this case, their offices) and not your location as a student. Even if it is an online-program-only school, they have an office somewhere. Use the tuition and fee rates for the school's state from the by-state listing to figure out how much the G.I. Bill pays. If tuition and fees for your school are higher than that amount, and your school is a yellow ribbon participant, between the school and VA, they may pay up to what you still owe. Check the yellow ribbon school list to see if your school is on the list and how much they pay.

GI Bill Transfer

Q: My father passed away, but he didn't use his GI Bill. Who do I contact to see if I can use his benefit? Does it expire?

A: If the benefits were transferred, they expire 10 years after the service member's death, or on the date established by the transferer (if one was established), or on the date revoked by the transferer, or on the dependent's 26th birthday. Read more about how family members can benefit from the GI Bill by visiting our DEA for Dependants section, or contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000.

GI Bill Eligibility

Q: I bought into the MGIB around 10 years ago and only went to college for a semester. I'd like to go back to school, but now there's a new GI Bill. Am I eligible?

A: No, you are not eligible for the new G.I. Bill. According to the new G.I. Bill information, to be eligible, you would have had to serve after 9/11 2001, but your old G.I. Bill benefits are still good as long as you are under the 10-year mark. The G.I. Bill Comparison Chart explains it well. Once in the chart, scroll down to the Eligibility section and you can see the different G.I. Bills eligibility criteria.