Four GI Bill programs cover different audiences with very different rate structures. Post-9/11 (Chapter 33) is the highest-value option for most post-2001 veterans — tuition direct to school, location-based housing allowance, books stipend. Montgomery (Chapter 30) pays a flat monthly amount with no use restrictions. DEA (Chapter 35) covers dependents of permanently/totally disabled or deceased veterans. The Fry Scholarship pays like Post-9/11 for children/surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after 9/10/2001.
The most comprehensive education benefit available to veterans who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. Authorized under 38 USC Chapter 33. Covers tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, and a books and supplies stipend.
At least 90 aggregate days of active-duty service after September 10, 2001 — or 30 continuous days if discharged for a service-connected disability. Benefit percentage scales with total active-duty time:
Tuition and fees: paid directly to the school. Public schools: full in-state tuition. Private schools: up to the annual cap (~$27,120.05 for 2025-2026).
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA): equals the E-5 with dependents BAH rate for the school's ZIP code. Only paid above half-time enrollment. Online-only students get a reduced rate.
Books and supplies: up to $1,000 per academic year, paid proportionally per term.
Up to 36 months of entitlement. Under the Forever GI Bill (Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act), no expiration date for veterans who separated on or after January 1, 2013.
Service members can transfer benefits to dependents with at least 6 years of service plus a 4-year commitment to additional service. Submit through the milConnect portal while still in the military.
An older program under 38 USC Chapter 30 that pays a flat monthly rate directly to the veteran. Unlike Post-9/11, MGIB does not pay tuition directly to schools or provide a location-based housing allowance.
Most post-9/11 veterans benefit more from Chapter 33. MGIB may pay more total cash for veterans attending less expensive schools while working — because the flat monthly payment has fewer restrictions on how it's spent.
Under 38 USC Chapter 35. Provides education benefits to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected conditions, or who died from service-connected conditions. Separate entitlement from any transferred Post-9/11 — not a transfer.
Spouses of veterans permanently and totally disabled, or who died from service-connected disability.
Children (ages 18-26, with exceptions) of qualifying veterans.
Surviving spouses who have not remarried.
Up to 36 months of education benefits. Monthly rate ~$1,399 for full-time enrollment (2026). Flat monthly allowance — DEA does not cover tuition directly. No location-based housing allowance or books stipend. Usable for undergraduate, graduate, professional, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training.
The Fry Scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to the children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. Mirrors Chapter 33 at the 100% level — full tuition, E-5 BAH housing allowance, books stipend.
VA Education Call Center: 1-888-442-4551. Compare estimated benefits using the VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool at VA.gov.
For most post-9/11 veterans: the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33). It covers tuition directly, pays a location-based housing allowance (E-5 with dependents BAH), and includes a books stipend. The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) may pay more total cash for veterans attending less expensive schools while working — because MGIB pays a flat monthly amount with no use restrictions.
Tuition is paid directly to the school. For public schools, full in-state tuition. For private schools, up to the annual cap (~$27,120.05 for the 2025-2026 academic year). Yellow Ribbon Program schools voluntarily cover the gap above the cap.
Under Chapter 33, the MHA equals the E-5 with dependents BAH rate for the school's ZIP code. Paid only to students enrolled more than half-time. Online-only students receive a reduced rate (50% of national average BAH).
Yes — if you have at least 6 years of service and commit to 4 additional years. Submit the Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) request through milConnect while still on active duty. Once you separate, you cannot initiate a new transfer.
For veterans who separated on or after January 1, 2013, there is no expiration date (the "Forever GI Bill" under the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017). Veterans who separated before 2013 have a 15-year window.
Fry pays like Post-9/11 (tuition + housing + books) for children/surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after 9/10/2001. DEA pays a flat monthly amount (~$1,399 full-time at 2026) to dependents of permanently/totally disabled veterans or those who died from service-connected disability. Cannot use both — choose one. Fry children must use by age 33; DEA children by age 26.