| The new Post-9/11 GI Bill became effective August | | | | stipend for most veterans up to $1,000. |
| 1, 2009, and is considered the greatest expansion of | | | | Special Provisions: If you intend to study at a school |
| benefits for veterans since the first GI Bill was | | | | where the tuition rate is higher than the highest |
| passed after World War II. It brings greater financial | | | | in-state rate, you may be eligible for additional funding |
| assistance for veteran education, the potential for a | | | | under the Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP). To qualify, |
| monthly housing stipend, additional cash for pricier | | | | colleges must participate in the YRP and the veteran |
| schools, and even the potential to transfer benefits | | | | must apply for the special benefit. You may also be |
| to family members. Eligibility begins with just 90 days | | | | eligible for a one-time relocation allowance of $500 if |
| of service, and quickly reaches 100% of benefit after | | | | you are relocating from a rural area to attend school. |
| 36 months of active duty. At Education Connection, | | | | Monthly Housing Stipend: Eligible veterans will receive |
| we stand ready to assist you in learning more about | | | | a monthly stipend equal to the E-5 with dependents |
| the GI Bill education benefits to help you maximize | | | | BAH rate for the zip code in which the school is |
| their use for you and your family. | | | | located. To be eligible, the veteran must study on a |
| Eligibility: Military members who served on active duty | | | | more-than-half-time basis, and the program must |
| on or after September 10, 2009 for at least 90 | | | | include some level of in-residence study (100% online |
| aggregate days are eligible for 40% of the benefit | | | | school programs are not eligible). |
| (the minimum amount), and those who served 36 | | | | Transferability: Probably one of the most exciting and |
| cumulative months will receive 100% of the benefit | | | | innovative elements is the potential to transfer |
| (the maximum amount). All others are somewhere in | | | | benefits to GI Bill dependents, both spouses and |
| between, with one notable exception. Veterans who | | | | children. The Department of Defense is authorized to |
| served at least 30 continuous days on active duty, | | | | allow individuals who, on or after August 1, 2009, |
| and who were discharged due to a | | | | have served at least 6 years in the Armed Forces |
| service-connected disability, receive 100% of the | | | | and who agree to serve at least another 4 years in |
| benefit. | | | | the Armed Forces to transfer unused entitlement to |
| Coverage: The new Post-9/11 GI Bill provides money | | | | a spouse. Once members have reached their 10 year |
| for tuition and fees capped at the highest in-state | | | | anniversary they may choose to transfer the benefit |
| tuition rate for the state in which the school is | | | | to any dependents (spouse, children). |
| located. It also provides an annual book and supply | | | | |