The Post-9/11 GI Bill is one of the most significant benefits available to veterans, providing financial support for education and training.
Effective August 1, 2024, through July 31, 2025, the updated 2025 Post-9/11 GI Bill pay rates and charts will help veterans make the most of their VA education benefits under Chapter 33.
Whether you’re looking to attend a university, pursue vocational training, or complete an apprenticeship, here’s a detailed breakdown of the latest GI Bill pay rates and how to maximize the VA education benefits you’ve earned for your service to our country.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- Eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits: Veterans may qualify for full or partial Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits based on their active-duty service time. Those who served at least 36 months or received a Purple Heart are eligible for 100% of the benefit, while those who served less than 36 months are eligible for a percentage ranging from 50% to 90%, depending on their length of service.
- Covered Programs: The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers a variety of education and training programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, vocational and technical training, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and certification tests. It also provides benefits for online learning, co-op training, and work-study programs.
- Tuition, Fees, and Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA): The GI Bill covers full tuition at public institutions and up to $28,937.09 for private or foreign institutions. The MHA is based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents, with a maximum of $2,355 for foreign institutions and up to $1,177.50 for online-only learners.
- Additional Payments and Support: Veterans may receive up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies, a one-time $500 rural relocation grant, and eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program for tuition exceeding the covered amount. There is also up to $100 per month for tutorial assistance and opportunities for VA-related work-study programs.
Do I Qualify For Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits?
You may qualify for VA education benefits if you meet at least one of the following criteria.
At least one of these must be true:
- You served at least 90 days on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) on or after September 11, 2001, or
- You received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or
- You served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break in service) on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability, or
- You’re a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or service member
Note: If you’re a member of the Reserves who lost education benefits when the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) ended in November 2015, you may qualify to receive restored benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
What Programs Are Covered By Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits?
You can utilize your GI Bill benefits in a variety of ways to further your education and career training, including but not limited to:
Work toward a degree with these benefits:
- Payments to help get undergraduate and graduate degrees
- Tuition Assistance Top-Up
- Tutorial assistance
- National tests and prep courses
Train for a specific career, trade, or industry with these benefits
- Payments to help get vocational or technical training and non-college degrees
- On-the-job training and apprenticeships
- Entrepreneurship training
- Flight training
- Licensing and certification tests and prep courses
Work while you study with these benefits
Take classes from home with these benefits
Note: If your school changed to online classes because of COVID-19, we continued paying GI Bill benefits from March 1, 2020, to June 1, 2022. This ended on June 2, 2022. If your school doesn’t offer approved online classes, you’ll need to return to in-person classes to continue receiving GI Bill benefits.
2025 Post-9/11 GI Bill Pay Chart
Time on Active Duty to Percentage of Full Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
| Time Spent on Active Duty | Percentage of Full Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1,095 days or more (36 months+) | 100% |
| 910 to 1,094 days (30 to 35 months) | 90% |
| 730 to 909 days (24 to 29 months) | 80% |
| 545 to 729 days (18 to 23 months) | 70% |
| 180 to 544 days (6 to 17 months) | 60% |
| 90 to 179 days (90 days to 5 months) | 50% |
Tuition and Fees (August 1, 2024 – July 31, 2025)
| Type of Institution | Maximum Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Institution (e.g., State University or Community College) | Net Tuition and Mandatory Fees (In-state rates may apply) |
| Private Institution | $28,937.09 |
| Foreign Institution | $28,937.09 (USD) |
| Non-College Degree Programs (e.g., HVAC, Truck Driving, EMT, Beautician) | $28,937.09 |
| Flight Training Programs | $16,535.46 |
| Correspondence Schools | $14,055.13 |
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)
| Criteria | Monthly Housing Allowance |
|---|---|
| In-Person Courses (U.S.) | Based on E-5 with Dependents BAH for your school’s ZIP code |
| Online-Only Courses | Up to $1,177.50 (50% of national average) |
| Foreign Institution | Up to $2,355.00 (National average) |
Money for Books and Supplies
| Type of Benefit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | Up to $1,000 per academic year |
| One-time Rural Relocation Grant | $500 (If relocating from a highly rural area) |
Additional Payments
| Program | Benefit Amount |
|---|---|
| Yellow Ribbon Program (for tuition exceeding maximum) | Varies by institution |
| Tutorial Assistance | Up to $100 per month (Max $1,200 total) |
| VA Work-Study Program | Part-time employment related to VA work |
On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeships
| Benefit Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | Up to $1,000 per year |
| Monthly Housing Allowance | Prorated based on hours worked, calculated using BAH for E-5 with dependents |
Benefit Payments for Test Fees and Prep Courses (August 1, 2024 – July 31, 2025)
| Type of Test | Amount Covered |
|---|---|
| Licensing and Certification Test Fees | Up to $2,000 per test |
| Prep Courses | 1 month of entitlement for every $2,348.36 |
| National Tests | No limit on reimbursement |
How Much Does The GI Bill Pay Per Month?
Your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are based on how long you served on active duty, along with other key factors.
Eligibility for 100% of Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
You are eligible for 100% of the full benefit if you meet at least one of the following criteria:
- You served on active duty for a total of at least 1,095 days (36 months).
- You served on active duty and received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001.
- You served on active duty for at least 30 continuous days and were discharged due to a service-connected disability.
Eligibility for Partial Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
If you served less than 36 months on active duty, you’re eligible for a percentage of the full benefit.
The percentage is determined by your total active-duty service time, known as your “eligibility tier.”
Here’s the breakdown of how much you’re eligible for:
- 30 to 35 months (910 to 1,094 days): 90% of the full benefit
- 24 to 29 months (730 to 909 days): 80%
- 18 to 23 months (545 to 729 days): 70%
- 6 to 17 months (180 to 544 days): 60%
- 90 days to 5 months (90 to 179 days): 50%
Note: The rates provided here reflect 100% of the benefit. If you’re eligible for a percentage, simply multiply the listed rates by your percentage to calculate your exact yearly payment.
Full GI Bill Pay Rates for School and Training Programs (Effective August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025)
Post-911 GI Bill Tuition and Fees Coverage
The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers tuition and fees by paying your school or training program directly.
The amounts listed below represent the maximum payments available for this academic year.
If you qualify for a percentage of the full benefit, simply multiply the listed amount by your percentage to determine the maximum amount covered for your program.
Here’s how the tuition and fee coverage break down based on the type of institution:
- Public Institutions (e.g., state universities or community colleges): The GI Bill will pay the net tuition and mandatory fees in full. You might even qualify for in-state tuition rates at public schools, regardless of where you live.
- Private Institutions: The maximum coverage for tuition and fees is $28,937.09 per academic year.
- Foreign Institutions: For those attending institutions outside the U.S., the maximum tuition and fee coverage is also $28,937.09 (in U.S. dollars).
- Non-College Degree Programs: Programs like HVAC training, truck driving, EMT, or cosmetology school will be covered up to $28,937.09 per academic year.
- Flight Training Programs: Non-degree certificate or rating programs for flight training are covered up to $16,535.46 per academic year.
- Correspondence Schools: Programs typically completed by mail or online at your own pace are covered up to $14,055.13.
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)
If you’re eligible, the GI Bill also provides a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) to help cover your living expenses.
MHA is paid at the end of each month and is prorated based on:
- The percentage of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits you’re entitled to, and
- The number of credits or clock hours you’re enrolled in.
You’re not eligible for MHA if:
- You’re currently on active duty,
- You’re a spouse using transferred benefits while the veteran is on active duty,
- You’re attending school half time or less,
- You’re enrolled in correspondence or flight training, or
- You’re on a school break.
For in-person courses in the U.S., MHA is calculated based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for an E-5 with dependents.
The VA uses the 2024 rates to determine your MHA payments from August 1, 2024, through July 31, 2025.
Note: To find out how much MHA you may be eligible for, use the Defense Department’s BAH lookup tool. You’ll need the ZIP code for your school to calculate the specific amount.
How Does the VA Determine Your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)?
Your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is primarily based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-5 with dependents, but additional factors are considered to calculate your exact payment.
Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
Percentage of Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits:
Your eligibility for MHA is tied to the percentage of benefits you qualify for under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
This percentage, also known as your eligibility tier, is based on the length of your active-duty service.
The longer you served, the higher the percentage of MHA you’ll receive.
- For example, if you’re eligible for 80% of the full benefit, you’ll receive 80% of the standard MHA rate.
Rate of Pursuit (Enrollment Status):
The number of credits or clock hours you take each term also affects your MHA.
This is referred to as your rate of pursuit.
- To calculate this, divide the number of credits you’re enrolled in by the number of credits your school considers full-time. For example, if you’re taking 9 credits in a term where 12 credits are considered full-time, your rate of pursuit is 75%.
- To qualify for MHA, your rate of pursuit must be greater than 50%.
Online-Only Classes:
If you’re enrolled solely in online or distance learning courses, your MHA will be based on 50% of the national average for housing allowance.
Location-Based Housing Allowance:
If you’re attending in-person classes, your MHA is determined by the ZIP code of the campus where you attend the majority of your classes.
This is called a location-based housing allowance.
- Main Campus: The primary teaching location of your school.
- Branch Campus: A separate campus in a different ZIP code with its own budget, administration, and degree programs.
- Extension Campus: May or may not be in the same ZIP code as the main or branch campus, but it shares the same resources and does not offer its own degree programs.
Note: Active-duty service members and their spouses using transferred benefits are not eligible for MHA.
Pro Tip: To estimate your MHA, you can use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to see what you may qualify for based on your specific school location and enrollment status.
Book and Supply Stipend
You may be eligible for up to $1,000 annually to cover the cost of books and supplies.
This payment is based on the number of courses you’re enrolled in and your eligibility tier.
Relocation Assistance
For veterans living in highly rural areas, the Post-9/11 GI Bill offers a one-time payment of $500 to help with moving expenses if:
- You live in a county with fewer than 6 people per square mile, and
- You must relocate at least 500 miles to attend school, or
- You need to travel by air to attend school due to lack of ground transportation options.
Added Payments and Support
If your tuition exceeds the maximum covered amount, you may qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program, which helps cover extra costs.
In addition, if you need help with coursework, you may be eligible for up to $100 per month (up to $1,200 total) for tutorial assistance.
Veterans can also take advantage of the VA Work Study Program for part-time employment while studying.
Benefit Payments for On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeships
For veterans pursuing on-the-job training or apprenticeships, the GI Bill offers the same books and supplies stipend (up to $1,000) and MHA payments.
Your MHA is prorated based on the number of hours you work each month, and is still calculated using the BAH rates for an E-5 with dependents.
Test Fees and Prep Courses
The GI Bill covers up to $2,000 for qualifying licensing and certification test fees.
For prep courses to prepare for these tests, the entitlement charge is based on the amount covered—$2,348.36 per month for prep course fees.
There’s no limit on the reimbursement for national tests, such as SATs or LSATs.
How to Get More Help
If you have questions about your eligibility or the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you can:
- Call the VA’s GI Bill Hotline at 888-442-4551 (TTY: 711) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or
Additional Information About GI Bill Education Benefits
Find out if you can get education benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill:
Find and compare schools that are approved for VA education benefits:
If you’re getting Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, you may qualify for more money for school through the Yellow Ribbon Program:
Conclusion & Wrap-Up
The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers substantial benefits, but understanding how to navigate the various payment rates and eligibility criteria is critical.
If you qualify, make sure to take full advantage of the educational opportunities and financial support available to you through this incredible program.
Whether you’re just starting school or considering a new career path, your service has earned you this right—use it to build the future you deserve.
By staying up to date on the 2025 Post-9/11 GI Bill pay rates, you can ensure you’re maximizing the benefits you’ve earned.
Stay informed, stay focused, and keep striving toward your educational and career goals!
About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
