Changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill

October 2011 - Navy
by LCDR Mark J. Soss

Between 1 August 2011 and 1 October 2011 many of the new changes to the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act ("GI Bill") will go into effect. The changes will significantly impact benefits to veterans, active duty and reserve service members, and their eligible family members. Additional legislation is currently pending in Congress that may bring more changes to the GI Bill.

GI Bill benefits are based upon the following eligibility chart:

PERCENTAGE OF BENEFITS	ACTIVE DUTY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
100%	36 or more total months; or 30 or more consecutive days with disability related discharge
90%	30 total months
80%	24 total months
70%	18 total months
60%	12 total months
50%	6 total months
40%	90 or more days

The following summarizes how the GI Bill changes will impact the education benefits of specific groups of Post-9/11 GI Bill eligible students.

Active Duty

Active duty service members and transferee spouses will receive their tuition and fees prorated based on the eligibility tiers (40%-100%). This is a significant change as the proration previously only applied to veterans. Active duty service members who enrolled after 4 January 2011 in a private school will be limited to $17,500 a year in tuition and fees. In contrast, those enrolled at a public school will be limited to the in-state tuition and fees rate. The Yellow Ribbon Program may still be utilized for out-of-state fees and costs above the cap. This change became effective on 1 March 2011.

Active duty service members and their spouses may also receive a books and supplies stipend. This change goes into effect on 1 October 2011.

Veterans

Veterans will receive their tuition and fees prorated based on the eligibility tiers (40%-100%). Veterans who enrolled after 4 January 2011 in a private school will be limited to $17,500 a year in tuition and fees. In contrast, those enrolled at a public school will be limited to the in-state tuition and fees rate.

National Guard Members

National Guard members, mobilized under Title 32 orders on-or-after 11 September 2001, are now eligible for GI Bill benefits. Additional qualifying Title 32 mobilization(s) (for the purpose of responding to a national emergency) will further increase the member's percentage of eligibility. The change is effective as of 1 August 2009, but not payable until 1 October 2011.

On-line Students

Students furthering their education through on-line education or distance learning will be eligible for a housing allowance beginning 1 October 2011. The allowance equates to one-half the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents (approximately $673.50 in 2011). The allowance will be prorated based on the number of credits being taken.

Other Training Opportunities

Individuals enrolled in a non-college degree, on-thejob and apprenticeship training program will be eligible for tuition and fees similar to any other veteran. They may also receive up to $83 per month for books and supplies.

Individuals enrolled in a flight program will have their academic year tuition and fees capped at the lesser of the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the school or $10,000. Students pursuing correspondence training will be limited to the lesser of actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the school or $8,500. These changes become effective 1 October 2011.

Housing Allowance and Book & Supply Stipend

Each student's housing allowance will be based upon the following: (1) the monthly basic allowance for housing (BAH) payable for a military member with dependents in pay grade E-5 residing in the same ZIP code for the school where the individual is enrolled; (2) the number of school credits being taken; and (3) the number of months of post-11 September 2001 active-duty service. This amount will be rounded to the nearest tenth (75% would receive 80% of the BAH rate). Students will no longer receive benefits during school breaks (spring or winter break). Active duty service members are also not eligible for a housing stipend. These changes became effective on 1 August 2011.

Each student's book and supply stipend is capped at $1,000 a year. Each student's stipend will be prorated based on: (1) the number of school credits being taken; and (2) the number of months of post-11 September 2001 active-duty service. The stipend will be received in a lump sum payment in the first month of each quarter, semester, or term and will be based upon the fraction of the whole academic year that the quarter, semester, or term represents. This stipend will be available to active duty and their eligible dependents after 1 October 2011.

Licensing, Certification and National Placement Exams

Effective 1 August 2011, students will be eligible for reimbursement of the cost of one or more license or certification test taken. This includes national exams used for admission to an institution of higher learning (SAT, ACT, GMAT, LSAT). However, one month of education benefits will be charged, rounded to the nearest whole month, for each $1,460 in reimbursements.

College Fund Benefit

Individuals who are eligible for the College Fund (Chapter 30) or Reserve Kicker (Chapter 1606) will remain eligible under the GI Bill. The benefit will be paid monthly as an increase to a student's housing stipend instead of as a lump sum at the beginning of each school term. This change became effective on 1 August 2011.

Additional Eligibility Changes

Members of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Public Health System (PHS) are now eligible to transfer their entitlement to eligible dependents. Concurrent use of transferred benefits from more than one individual is also prohibited. This change becomes effective on 1 October 2011.