The New GI Bill

SNHU is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon program. There is no student enrollment cap for those participating in this program. Please visit the VA website for further information on the Yellow Ribbon program.

Benefit Allowance: Applicants who are interested in discovering what benefits they are allowed through the New GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon program please follow the steps below:

Go directly to the VA website and apply for education benefits.
VA will process your application.
VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility stating your Chapter benefits and the percentage of benefits.
You must send a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to SNHU

Please read your Certificate of Eligibility carefully to know what educational benefits you are entitled to receive.

Who

Veterans who have served after 9/11 can opt to use the current MGIB, but cannot change once they've started. Those that have used some, but not all, of their MGIB-AD Active Duty entitlement may opt to use the Post 9/11 GIB for the remaining months of entitlement.

Those that have not, fall under the previous Montgomery GI Bill program.

Qualifications

Meet one of the following:

Active Duty service members who have served more than 90 days after September 10, 2001;
Retired and separated service members who have served on active duty more than 90 days after September 10, 2001;
Service members and Reserve and National Guard members who have been activated for more than 90 days after September 10, 2001 or (See chart A)
Service members who were discharged after completing a minimum of 30 consecutive days of qualifying service after September 10, 2001 and who the VA determined were discharged for a service-connected disability (See chart B)

Comparison of New GI Bill

While the Post-9/11 GI Bill may be a better solution than any other education benefit program for some veterans, there are other factors that should be considered when choosing the best VA education benefits.

To compare the benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the MGIB-AD, visit: GI Bill Benefit Comparison

Benefits

Meet one of the following:

Direct payment to schools.
Tuition benefits up to the highest cost in-state tuition for undergraduate programs.
Housing allowance.
Book stipend.
May be transferred to Military Family members.

For some (depending on existing state benefits, scholarships, fellowship, and other tuition opportunities) it might be beneficial to stay with the MGIB.

Chart A
GI BILL Benefit Levels

Veterans must have discharged under honorable conditions.

The benefit level is based on the individual's length of qualifying service:

36 months or more will receive 100% tuition benefits
30 days consecutive service and discharged for service-connected disability will receive 100% tuition benefits
30-36 months receive 90% tuition benefits
24-30 months receive 80% tuition benefits
18-24 months receive 70% tuition benefits
12-18 months receive 60% tuition benefits
6-12 months receive 50% tuition benefits
3-6 months receive 40% tuition benefits

Monthly housing allowance and the books and supplies stipend are reduced in the same manner as the tuition benefits.

Chart B
The following types of active duty time do not qualify toward the service eligibility requirements:

NOAA, PHS, or Active Guard Reserve time under title 32 ROTC and Service Academy contract period
Service terminated due to defective enlistment agreement
Service negotiated for loan repayment
Entry level and skill training (for those serving less than 24 months of active duty service)

Challenges

Veterans who study half-time or less, or are enrolled in a distance education program are eligible for only the tuition benefits.

Application Process:

www.gibill.va.gov to determine if a school's programs are approved.
Complete VA for 22-1990 (Application for Education Benefits). This can be mailed to the office listed on the application or filed online at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp

MGIB-AD

Benefit increase, as of August 2008, to $1321 per month (from $1100).
Apprenticeship program and vocational education up to $990.75 per month

Reserve Service Members

May still use MGIB-SR

$317 monthly for up to 36 months to cover education expenses with a six year commitment to Selected Reserve or National Guard
Apprenticeship & vocational programs up to $269.45

There are state programs also available that offer more options for Reservists and National Guardsman. These vary by state.
http://www.gibill.va.gov/gi_bill_info/rates.htm

For more information on the new GI Bill, please see the following helpful resources:

New GI Bill Overview on Military.com
Post-9/11 GI Bill Factsheet
Post-9/11 GI Bill Frequently Asked Questions