G.I. Bill Beyond Bah | Beyond Bah | Perks, Programs & Extensions

What you don’t know! Extensions, add-ons, and Allowances

TAPs and TRS do not teach you about a few of the extensions, add-ons and allowances you are eligible for when using the GI Bill. The GI Bill is one of the best and most underutilized VA programs. Most beneficiaries know that it gives you the opportunity to get a college degree or post-graduate degree for virtually nothing. However, there is much more to the GI Bill, and if you don’t do a detailed search on the VA website, you might miss it. We will discuss some of the bonus features of VA Education services, who is eligible,  and how to take advantage of them. But first, let’s go over the basics.

What is the GI Bill?

The GI Bill comprises different educational and resource programs that enable qualified service members to further their education or get on-the-job training. The program is run by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and it helps veterans and their families cover part or all of their learning costs. If you were on active duty after September 10, 2001, you could apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. This program has the most benefits, particularly when it comes to program extensions. Other GI Bills are Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) and Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR).

Being eligible for the VA education benefits is pretty straightforward. As long as you served continually and had an honorable discharge, you’re good to go. If you have a dishonorable discharge, you may appeal the process or get a discharge upgrade. Once you have received admission to the college or training program, you should apply for GI Bill via mail, in person, or online. Complete and submit VA Form 22-1990 as well as DD-214. You will have 60 days to complete your application, but we suggest you finish it as quickly as possible. You can download your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) immediately, on VA.gov.

What Are The GI Bill Benefits?

The perks of the GI Bill depend on eligibility. Unlike other services like VA disability claims, the assessment criteria are more transparent:

1. 100 percent: 36 months or more, or at least 30 continuous days and discharged due to service-connected disability
2. 90 percent: At least 30 months, less than 36 months
3. 80 percent: At least 24 months, less than 30 months
4. 70 percent: At least 18 months, less than 24 months
5. 60 percent: At least 12 months, less than 18 months
6. 50 percent: At least 6 months, less than 12 months
7. 40 percent: At least 90 days, less than 6 months

From the criteria above, you can see why some service members elect to serve for a little longer. While getting help with tuition for 6 months is still something, it won’t help much towards a four-year degree.

If you have 100% eligibility, then you can access any of these:

• Full tuition and fees if attending a Public School as an in-state student; or
• Up to $26,042.81 per academic year for a private or foreign IHL; or
• Up to $14,881.59 for vocational flight school; or
• Up to $12,649.34 for a correspondence school; or

You can also combine any of these as long as you still have time left. For example, you can use your GI Bill towards a two-year master’s program, then add one year of vocational flight school. Tuition and fees are paid directly to the institution.

Besides tuition, you are also eligible for:

• Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) – MHA is equal to a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents, or $1,900 if you’re in a foreign school
• Books/Supplies stipend – you will get $1,000 for each year of study
• Rural benefit – if you are relocating from a highly rural area, you can get a one-off payment of $500

These other benefits will be paid to you usually after you have paid out of pocket. For example, MHA for January will be paid at the beginning of February. These benefits are also given automatically with your application. If they aren’t, you should contact the VA to get the process started. It is not uncommon for the first MHA to come months into your program, so be prepared for that financial inconvenience.

What Happens If The GI Bill Benefits Aren’t Enough? The GI Bill lapses after 36 months, which is just enough for a four-year degree (holidays don’t count). If you need more time depending on the program you are applying for, or the benefits aren’t enough to cover your costs, you can apply for extensions.

If you are attending a private university, chances are the $26,043 you’ll get in 2022/2023 won’t be enough. In that case, you should apply for The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be used in conjunction with your education benefits.

Besides federal aid, you can get an extension via some other VA programs.

Programs That Offer Extensions to Your GI Bill

Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC)

VET TEC is a program by the Department of Veteran Affairs that connects veterans with training providers in the computing world. You can access training from companies like Google and Tesla. 

To be eligible for this, you must already have VA Education benefits and have at least 1 day of entitlement left, and be accepted into a program. VET TEC offers training in computer software, computer programming, data processing, information science, and media applications.

You also get to keep your MAH with VET TEC. You can apply for the VET TEC program extension online, equal to VA Form 22-0994.

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

If you are in a high-demand Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) field, the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship can help you extend your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. You must be enrolled in a STEM undergraduate degree or already have one and are working towards a teaching certification to be eligible.

Apply for this extension within the last 6 months of your GI Bill benefits. You can also apply if you have exhausted your benefits. This scholarship can extend your benefits for 9 months or give you $30,000.

At the moment, these are the only STEM undergraduate programs eligible:

• Agriculture science or natural resources science
• Biological or biomedical science
• Computer and information science and support services
• Engineering, engineering technologies, or an engineering-related field
• Health care or a health-care-related field
• Mathematics or statistics
• Medical residency (undergraduate only)
• Physical science
• Science technologies or technicians

It takes roughly 30 days for your application to be processed. Note that those with 100% GI Bill eligibility have a higher chance of success.

You can apply for the Rogers scholarship here or fill out and mail VA Form 22-10203.

Yellow Ribbon Program 

If you are attending a private university or out-of-state, this is one program that can help. The Yellow Ribbon Program can help you cover the tuition costs beyond the GI Bill. This is one of the strictest extensions to apply for, but it is worth it.

For starters, you need to be at the 100% benefit level and meet at least one of the following:

• You served at least 36 months on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) and were honorably discharged or
• You received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or
• You served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break) on or after September 11, 2001, and were discharged or released from active duty for a service-connected disability, or
• You’re a dependent child using benefits transferred by a Veteran 
• You’re a Fry Scholar (eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program on or after August 1, 2018)

The college or institution may also have criteria to meet:

• Your school is an institution of higher learning, and
• Your school offers the Yellow Ribbon Program, and
• Your school hasn’t offered the Yellow Ribbon benefit to more than the maximum number of students in their agreement with us, and
• Your school has certified your enrollment with us and provided Yellow Ribbon Program information.

If you qualify, your IHL will determine how much money they want to contribute towards your education, and the Yellow Ribbon Program will match it.

This is one extension you must apply for before you start school. You should apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program at the same time that you submit your COE to your college.

Other Programs

There are a handful of programs that can help you get a bit of extra money if you need it. The tutorial assistance program can help you get funding for a tutor. The maximum for this is $100 a month.

To get this benefit, you, your tutor, and your school’s certifying official will fill out the Application for Individualized Tutorial Assistance (VA Form 22-1990t).

You can also access Tuition Assistance Top-Up, but that program will affect your GI Bill benefits, so only use it with expert help.

Conclusion

The GI Bill is a terrific program with a pathway for every kind of learner seeking formal education or On-the-Job training. If you want to make the most of your GI Bill, we recommend speaking to a professional before you begin.

Get in touch with a member of our team to find out what you are eligible for.