One of the features of the Post-9/11 GI Bill is that the Department of Veterans Affairs will pay your tuition and fees directly to your school. Besides paying your college costs, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay you a monthly housing allowance, which is based on the military's Basic Allowance for Housing, as well as up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies.
Your length of active-duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, determines the amount you'll receive. See our Post-9/11 Overview page for details.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Payments for Colleges and Universities
If you attend a public college or university, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay your full tuition and fees.
If you attend a private or foreign university, the GI Bill will pay your tuition up to an annual maximum amount, determined by Congress. The annual tuition reimbursement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill for private or foreign colleges and universities is $29,920.95 in 2025-2026. An academic year begins Aug. 1.
If you attend a private college or university that is more expensive than the annual cap, you may be eligible for extra payment under the Yellow Ribbon program. To qualify to receive Yellow Ribbon benefits, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- You served at least 36 months of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001.
- You served a minimum of 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001, and were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability.
- You're a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based on a veteran's service under the eligibility criteria listed above
Post-9/11 GI Bill Payments for Non-College-Degree Schools
If you attend a non-college-degree school such as a technical school, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees not to exceed $29,920.95 for 2025-2026.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Payments for Apprenticeships and On-the-Job Training
If you are enrolled in an apprenticeship or on-the-job training program, you may receive a monthly housing allowance (MHA) payable for the ZIP code where your employer is located:
| Training Period | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| First six months of training | 100% of your applicable MHA |
| Second six months of training | 80% of your applicable MHA |
| Third six months of training | 60% of your applicable MHA |
| Fourth six months of training | 40% of your applicable MHA |
| Remaining pursuit of training | 20% of your applicable MHA |
For more information, see our GI Bill Apprenticeship and OJT page.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Payments for Vocational Flight Schools
If you attend a vocational flight school, the GI Bill will pay the actual net costs not to exceed $17,097.67 in 2025-2026.
The cap applies to all classes and/or enrollments that begin during a given academic year, regardless of when they are completed.
For more information, see our Flight Training page.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Payments for National Testing Programs/Licensing and Certification Tests
You can be reimbursed up to $2,000 per test for licensing and certification tests. There is no maximum amount for national testing programs. Your entitlement will be charged one month for every $2,496.26 paid to you in the 2025-2026 academic year.
For more information, see our National Testing Programs page, or our Licensing and Certification page.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Payments for Correspondence Schools
If you enroll in correspondence training, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay the actual net costs not to exceed $14,533.00 for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Monthly Housing Allowance
Your monthly housing allowance (MHA) is based on the military's Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents living in the ZIP code for your school or campus where you are taking the majority of your classes. Increases to the MHA are based on BAH increases and take effect Aug. 1, the start date of the academic year.
The housing allowance is paid at a percentage based on your active-duty service, as listed above.
MHA Rate Exceptions
| Type of School | 2025-2026 MHA Rate |
|---|---|
| Foreign school | $2,338.00 |
| Schools in US territories | E-5 with dependents Overseas Housing Allowance rate for school location |
| Exclusively online training (no classroom instruction) | $1,169.00 |
| Attending classes at ½ time or less | Not payable |
| Active-duty trainee (or transferee spouse of service member) | Not payable |
For more details see our Post-9/11 GI Bill Overview page.
Books/Supplies Stipend
For most training, you will also receive a yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment. See our Post-9/11 GI Bill Overview page for more details.
Keep Up With Your Education Benefits
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