The first GI Bill was passed by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944. It provided students with five hundred dollars per school year to cover tuition and additional compensation for living expenses.

The new GI Bill, often referred to as “Post 9/11 GI Bill,” provides the most lucrative benefits military personnel have seen since the original GI Bill of 1944. Its benefits go into effect on August 1, 2009.

At the moment, the Department of Veteran Affairs is not accepting applications for this bill. College bound veterans should continue following the progress of the bill at www.gibill.va.gov to see when applications are open. The bill will aid in tuition with all college taken after July 31, 2009, the coming fall semester. Applications for the fall term FAFSA have already begun, so the Post 9/11 GI Bill should be available for application in the near future. When applications are open, filling it out online will bear the most immediate return time.

The 9/11 GI Bill covers everything listed below for up to three years after the application is accepted.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for the 9/11 GI Bill?

If you have served for a minimum of consecutive 90 days in the armed forces since September 11, 2001, you may be eligible for the 9/11 GI Bill’s benefits. The amount you are eligible is determined by how much post service has been accumulated since 9/11.

The full benefits are given to veterans that have accrued three years of active duty since 9/11 or were discharged due to a service-connected disability.

The Montgomery GI Bill is considered separate from this one. Previous application to the Montgomery GI Bill is not required to qualify for the 9/11 GI Bill.

What Benefits Does the 9/11 GI Bill Offer?

The GI Bill provides up to 100% of tuition, variable by colleges attended. In addition, it grants up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies. Students that do not attend school full time will receive benefits based upon the amount of units taken.

The amount paid, as mentioned previously, is determined by the amount of time the veteran was in service. Though this varies state-to-state, this is a general guideline: 100% for 3 years; 100% for 30 days with discharge; 90% for two-and-a-half years; 80% for 2 years; 70% for one-and-a-half years; 60% for a year; 50% for half a year; and 40% for 90 days.

There is also a housing stipend available for full-time students that attend campus colleges. Students that enroll in distance learning education do not qualify for this stipend. It varies by the zipcode but averages at $1,200/month. Students that participate in hybrid learning, or distance learning and campus settings, also qualify for this stipend.

Can my Dependents Use My Benefits?

Military veterans that have served at least 6 years and agree to serve another 4 years may provide the benefits of the GI Bill to dependents, such as children and their spouse. The Department of Defense has the rights to stipulate additional requirements for this transfer of eligibility, and the dependent may only use up to 18 months of the benefits.

How is the 9/11 GI Bill Different from the Montgomery GI Bill?

The Montgomery GI Bill offered less than the 9/11 GI Bill. It offered no financial aid for living expenses or books and was limited to $1,321/year for tuition, instead of variable tuition by the college’s demand. It also required an enrollment fee and came with more limitations to the qualification.

The 9/11 GI Bill is meant to be an upgrade in the education offered to military students from the previous GI Bill that has been in effect for the past several decades. This goes along with the plan to further educate America.