Post 9/11 GI Bill

The VA started accepting applications for the Post 9/11 GI Bill May 1, 2009. Certificates of Eligibility will be issued for eligible applicants, and the VA will begin making payments on August 1, 2009. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill will become effective for training on or after August 1, 2009.

Under the Post 9/11 GI Bill you may receive:

  • cost of tuition & fees directly to the school not to exceed the maximum in-state tuition & fees at a public Institution of Higher Learning
  • a monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents according to the location (zip code) of the school.
  • an annual book and supply stipend of up to $1,000.
  • you may also receive a one-time rural benefit payment of $500.00 if you reside in a county with 6 persons or less per square mile (as determined by the most recent decennial census) and:
    • either physically relocate at least 500 miles to attend an educational institution or
    • travel by air to physically attend an educational institution if no other land-based transportation exists

The maximum basic benefit is earned after serving an aggregate of 36 months of active duty service or after 30 days of continuous service for those individuals who were discharged for a service-connected disability. Individuals serving between 90 days and 36 months of aggregate active duty service will be eligible for a percentage of the maximum benefit.

WARNING: Before you elect to change from the Montgomery GI BILL-Active Duty (MGIB-AD), Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) to the new Post 9/11 GI Bill please contact the Kenosha County Veterans Service Office. Once you change the decision is irrevocable.

For additional Post 9/11 GI Bill detail, please contact the Kenosha County Veterans Service Office at 262-605-6693 or visit the Education and Training page. Further information will be forthcoming to discuss the impact of the Wisconsin GI Bill.