Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
Tuition, books, and housing depend on tier, institution, location, and course load; 2026–27 rates run August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027.
About Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
Chapter 33 uses qualifying military service to fund approved education and, depending on the case, living costs while studying.
Full benefits generally require 36 aggregate months of active duty, a qualifying Purple Heart, or separation for a service-connected disability after at least 30 continuous days; shorter service may qualify for graduated tiers. Family transfers, service dates, and entitlement exhaustion have case-specific rules. Confirm that the program and school are VA-approved before enrolling.
Apply through VA.gov using the appropriate form and ask the school’s certifying official to certify enrollment. Compare your Certificate of Eligibility with net costs and ask about Yellow Ribbon if tuition exceeds the cap. Check your rate of pursuit: half-time or less generally excludes monthly housing payments.
Who it serves and what it can cover: Tuition, books, and housing depend on tier, institution, location, and course load; 2026–27 rates run August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027.
How to apply or get help: Apply through VA.gov using the appropriate form and ask the school’s certifying official to certify enrollment. Compare your Certificate of Eligibility with net costs and ask about Yellow Ribbon if tuition exceeds the cap. Check your rate of pursuit: half-time or less generally excludes monthly housing payments. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
Public student financial-aid program