Post-9/11 GI Bill beefs up benefits

  • Published
  • By Airman Anthony Jennings
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Airmen and veterans looking to further their education have a new option when making decisions using GI Bill benefits to satisfy their educational goals. 

Here at Eglin, the new Post-9/11 GI Bill has piqued high interest in those seeking to reap the education benefits. 

"People have been coming in nonstop," said Sandra C. Henry, education technician. "We have at least 10 people a day either calling or coming in with questions about the new bill." 

The Post-9/11 GI Bill can be used by veterans and active duty Airmen who have served honorably since September 11, 2001. Claiming the benefit is simple: file an application with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The process takes between four to six weeks. 

There are a few differences between the Montgomery GI Bill and the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. The MGIB pays all fees and tuition to the student. The Post 9/11 tuition and fees are paid directly to the school. If the member is entitled to basic allowance for housing, those payments will be made directly to the student. MGIB does not pay BAH. 

The new bill is based on aggregate service, so the more service the better the benefit. An individual must have at least 36 months of active duty service to receive 100 percent of the full benefit. 

For example, a veteran claiming the benefit after serving 20 months will have 70 percent of applicable tuition, fees, and stipends paid, while an individual who completes 32 months will receive a 90 percent benefit. 

All veterans leaving active duty with service-connected disabilities receive the maximum benefit. 

Another option in the 9/11 bill is the ability to transfer benefits to spouses and children. This transfer option allows Airmen to transfer unused GI Bill benefits to spouses and dependent children registered in the DEERS database. 

This option is only available for qualified Airmen on active duty on or after Aug. 1, with the appropriate retainability. This retention incentive is aimed at encouraging Airmen to remain on active duty for at least 10 years. 

Airmen having MGIB benefits can transfer benefits if they make the irrevocable decision to switch to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. 

However, Airmen are not limited to only one or the other when it comes to their own education. 

Airmen with MGIB benefits may elect to participate in the Post-9/11 GI Bill and have benefits under both programs. 

If they haven't used any of their MGIB benefits, they can use all 36 months of their MGIB benefits with 12 months of the Post-9/11 Bill. If they have used a portion of their MGIB, they can still combine their benefits with the Post-9/11 GI Bill for a 36-month package. 

"Most Airmen are eligible for the MGIB and so will have to decide which program is the best help in attaining education goals," said Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Culverhouse, Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph AFB, Texas, during a Post-9/11 GI Bill webinar. "Generally speaking, they may have the best of what's offered by both the MGIB and the Post-9/11 program. It gives Airmen options, especially if more than one type of program is part of educational goals." 

The Base Education office provides professional counseling and has program details. The VA also has basic program information and is where Airmen, veterans, and transferees go to apply for benefits.