The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a tremendous benefit of service. It offers comprehensive tuition, books, and living expenses that may cover some or all of the cost of college for eligible beneficiaries. The program is pretty simple, but getting started can feel overwhelming. So, how do you start using Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits for college?
1. Get the Certificate of Eligibility
The first step to using Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits is to request a Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Whether the veteran or a family member using transferred benefits, the student will need to create an account at VA.gov to get started. This requires setting up an account with either ID.me or Login.gov.
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Be prepared that if the student is a young adult, they may have trouble authenticating themselves. These services typically draw information from credit bureaus to verify an individual’s identity, and younger adults may not have enough information in the databases. Therefore, it may require a video chat or other extra verification. Many families report that setting up the ID.me or Login.gov account is the hardest part of the process, so allow time for this!
An exception to online application is that children under 18 using transferred benefits can’t set up their own online account. In this situation, the veteran logs in to their VA.gov account and submits a paper VA Form 22-1990e through the AskVA feature.
Once you’ve logged in or downloaded the paper form, complete it with the required information. Make sure you include an accurate mobile phone number for the student, because the VA uses text communication.
You’ll also be asked to provide bank account information for the deposit of the books allowance and monthly housing allowance. The student is supposed to be an owner on this account. Pro tip: if it’s a young adult using benefits, consider opening a dedicated bank account with both the student and parent(s.) This can make money management easier.
2. Receiving the COE
Once you’ve submitted the application, the COE is delivered via snail mail to the address you listed. It may take up to 30 days to arrive. If you are in a remote location, or in a time pinch, you can request electronic delivery of the COE through the VA’s AskVA portal.
The COE will explain how many days of benefits are available to the student and the percentage of benefits they are entitled to receive. It will also indicate if there’s a time limit on the usage of benefits. Verify that this information is accurate to the best of your knowledge; the VA can and does make mistakes.
3. Send the COE to the School
Submit the COE to the educational institution’s School Certifying Office (SCO), using whatever method they request. Most schools request that you send it via email or upload it to the student’s portal.
While you’re chatting with the SCO, ask how the school handles outstanding bills while waiting for the VA to make payments directly to the school. Nearly all schools have a way to hold or freeze the portion of the bill that is awaiting VA payment. Also double-check that there aren’t any other steps that you need to take on the school’s side of things.
4. Pay Any Remaining Bill
While the VA is processing payments for tuition and fees, the school will issue a bill for the total cost of attendance. This may include additional tuition beyond the VA annual maximum rate, room and/or board costs, and any expenses not covered by the VA. The school will expect you to make these payments before the semester starts, though they may offer a payment plan to spread the cost over the semester.
5. Receive Your Books Allowance
The VA book allowance is $41.67 per credit hour, up to an annual maximum of $1000 per academic year (August to July.) The book allowance is typically deposited shortly before the start of classes, into the bank account you listed on your application. However, delays do occur so be sure you have a backup plan to pay for books if the payment doesn’t arrive as anticipated.
One way to know that a deposit is the books allowance is to see if the number is evenly divisible by $41.67.
6. Verify Your Attendance for the Monthly Housing Allowance
Post 9/11 GI Bill students who attend school more than half time are eligible for a monthly housing allowance. The amount of MHA is based on the school’s zip code, the course load, and the student’s percentage of eligibility for benefits.
Monthly Housing Allowance is paid monthly, at the end of the month. It is deposited into the bank account you listed when applying for the COE. This benefit is paid for actual days of the school term, so the first MHA payment will likely be for less than a month. For example, if the school term starts on September 5th, then the September MHA payment will be for 26 days and will be received at the end of September.
The student must verify their enrollment monthly to continue receiving MHA. They will receive a text message each month asking them to verify their continued enrollment. If the student fails to verify enrollment for two consecutive months, MHA payments will stop.
Getting started with the Post 9/11 GI Bill isn’t hard, but the steps aren’t crystal clear. Understanding what you need to do, and when to do it, will make the process less stressful. With all the other stresses of applying to and starting college, it’s nice to know that you understand one part of the process!
