Education & Training Benefits

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits for service members who served at least 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001. The benefit level scales based on your time served:

What It Covers (at 100%)

• ✓Tuition & fees — Paid directly to the school, up to the full in-state tuition rate at public schools, or a capped amount for private institutions
• ✓Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) — Equal to the BAH rate for an E-5 with dependents at your school's ZIP code (only for students attending more than half-time)
• ✓Books & supplies stipend — Up to $1,000 per year
• ✓One-time relocation allowance — $500 for rural veterans

No expiration: As of the Forever GI Bill (2017), the Post-9/11 GI Bill no longer expires for service members who separated on or after January 1, 2013.

If you elected the Montgomery GI Bill and paid the $1,200 buy-in during your first year of service, you are eligible for up to 36 months of education benefits. The current monthly rate is approximately $2,518 (as of 2026, adjusted annually) for full-time enrollment.

Should you switch to the Post-9/11 GI Bill? In most cases, the Post-9/11 GI Bill provides better benefits because it pays tuition directly and includes a housing allowance. You can make an irrevocable election to switch. Compare both before deciding.

Formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E), this program helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain suitable employment. It can provide:

• ✓Career counseling and planning
• ✓College or vocational training (tuition, fees, books paid in full)
• ✓Monthly subsistence allowance during training
• ✓Job placement and resume assistance
• ✓Self-employment support and business startup assistance
• ✓Independent living services for severely disabled veterans

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a partnership between the VA and participating schools to cover tuition that exceeds the GI Bill's cap. The school agrees to waive a portion of the excess tuition, and the VA matches that amount. This can make expensive private universities completely free.

Eligibility: You must be eligible for 100% of the Post-9/11 GI Bill (36+ months of active duty service) or be a Purple Heart recipient or Fry Scholar. Dependents using transferred benefits also qualify if the service member meets the criteria.

SkillBridge lets active duty members participate in civilian industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during their last 180 days of service. You keep your military pay and benefits while gaining hands-on civilian experience. Hundreds of approved employers participate.

This is separate from the GI Bill and does not use any education benefits. Start the application process 6-8 months before your planned separation date.

Your GI Bill can be used at approved trade schools, vocational programs, and coding bootcamps. These programs often lead to high-paying careers in 12 months or less.

GI Bill-Approved Coding Bootcamps

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  General Assembly — Software engineering, data science, and UX design immersives. GI Bill approved at many locations.
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  Coding Dojo — Full-stack development bootcamp with multiple locations. GI Bill approved.
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  Galvanize — Data science and software engineering immersive programs. Partners with the VA.
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  VetTec — The VET TEC pilot program ended in April 2024. Congress reauthorized it in December 2024, but new funding has not yet been made available as of 2026. Check VA.gov for the latest status.

Trade & Vocational Programs

• ●HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing — High-demand trades with median salaries of $50,000-$75,000+
• ●CDL/Trucking — Many states offer expedited CDL licensing for military drivers
• ●Aviation (A&P License) — Military aircraft mechanics can fast-track their FAA certifications
• ●Welding — Short programs with strong employment outcomes, especially in energy and manufacturing