What is GI bill?

The GI Bill is also known as the Serviceman's Readjusted Act. President Roosevelt signed this law on June 22, 1944. Learn more about GI Bill.

TCM Staff

27th December 2019

The term GI Bill refers to any Department of Veterans Affairs education benefit attained by members of Active Duty, chosen Reserve and National Guard armed forces and their families. 

As of October 16, 2012, “GI Bill” is a federally registered trademark owned by VA. 

Nature of GI Bill

Through the Veterans Administration (VA), the bill provided grants for college and school tuition, low-interest mortgage, small-business loans, hiring opportunities, job training, and unemployment benefits.

This act includes full disability and medical coverage to all who have served in the armed forces.

The GI Bill has many programs and each is administrated differently reckoning on an individual's eligibility and duty status.


Benefits of GI Bill

The GI Bill gave World War II servicemen and servicewoman numerous alternatives and advantages. The individuals who wished to proceed with their training in school or vocational school could do as such educational cost-free up to $500 while likewise accepting a typical cost for basic items stipend.

On-the-job training and apprenticeships, as well as licensing and certification reimbursement, are included. Flight training, correspondence training, work-study programs, tuition, and tutorial assistance also are covered.

The government ensured credits for veterans who borrowed cash to buy a home, business or ranch. These advances empowered crowds of individuals to surrender city life and move to mass-created, "cutout" homes in the suburbs. This departure from real urban communities would help shape America's financial and political scene for quite a long time to come

GI Programs

Currently available major GI Programs are:

Fry Scholarship

Reserve and Guard Montgomery GI Bill

Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA)

Post- 9/11 GI Bill

Vocational Rehabilitation and Education Program

Active Duty Montgomery GI Bill


Training Programs

Apart from these above-mentioned benefits, there are various other benefits provided through several types of training programs:

College degree programs including Associate, Bachelor, and advanced degree programs

Correspondence Training

Flight Training

Licensing & Certification Reimbursement

National Testing Programs such as SAT, CLEP, AP, etc

On-the-job/Apprenticeship Training    

Tuition Assistance Top-Up

Tutorial Assistance

Vocational/Technical Training including non-college degree programs

Work-study programs


9/11 GI Bill

  • This bill provides benefits for those who have served active duty for 90 days or more after September 10, 2011. This bill provides education benefits and these benefits are dependent on how much active time they have served.

  • This bill provides full tuition fee, housing allowance, and $1,000 per year for books and other supplies

  • Eligible military servicemen can transfer their unused benefits to family members

  • They will also get benefits of the Yellow Ribbon Program


Fry Scholarship

  • Also known as The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

  • Provides benefits to the spouses and children of the servicemen who died during active duty in the line of duty after September 10, 2001

  • An eligible beneficiary can receive 36 months, 100% tuition fee benefit


Reserve and Guard Montgomery GI Bill

  • Also known as The Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

  • This is available to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Reserves, and the National Guard.

  • Benefits worth over $11,000

  • This benefits can be used for College degree, co-op training, certificate programs, license, and certification test, and more.


Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA)

  • Eligible for Son, Daughter, and Spouse of, a veteran who died or is disabled as the result of service. 

  • This program offers 45 months of educational benefits

  • These benefits can be used for Certificate and Degree programs, on the job training and apprenticeship


Vocational Rehabilitation and Education Program

  • Under Chapter 31 of the GI Bill, if you have VA Disability rating and an employment handicap then you are eligible for this Program

  • Here you are entitled to vocational rehabilitation & employment services

  • On job training would be provided

  • The period of eligibility within which the service has to be used is 12 years


Active Duty Montgomery GI Bill

  • This bill helps service men and veterans meet their educational and training cost, with monthly benefits

  • A benefit of over $69,000 in cash and various other benefits 


Forever GI Bill

  • The ‘Forever’ GI Bill will allow military veterans to pursue educational opportunities for life, although how it will affect you personally depends on when you were discharged

  • The Forever GI Bill phases in a variety of changes over time. The most recent changes are at the top, with older provisions toward the bottom of this article

  • There is also a section of listing pending changes scheduled for later dates and a group of changes to the GI Bill that are already in effect


Conclusion

This GI Bill assumed a necessary job in forming America post-World War II. With the assistance of this Bill, a great many people had the option to get their ideal higher education, a few of whom may never have managed it generally.

The bill also assembled America's working class, despite the fact that it deserted a few minority veterans. It's been quite a few years since President Roosevelt marked the main GI Bill, yet it keeps on engaging and empower veterans and their families to accomplish their objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 1.1) How many years does the GI Bill pay for?

    For the GI Bill, you can avail the benefits for 15 years from your last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days.

  • 2.2) For how long can the veteran use the GI Bill?

    After you start using your GI Bill, you have to use the benefits within 10 years.

  • 3.3) Can I transfer my GI Bill?

    Yes, you can transfer your GI Bill to your spouse or your children. These benefits can only be used for educational purposes.

  • 4.4) Can I get back my money from the GI Bill?

    Yes, you can get your refund. It has certain limitations such as: If you have not used any of your GI Bill benefits, then you can receive the entire $1,200 as a refund. But, if you have used even 1/3 of your benefit then you are eligible to receive $800 as a refund.

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