*Reprinted from VA Education and Training, Post 9/11 GI Bill®
'GI Bill®' is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Mor information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Post-9/11 GI Bill® refers to the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 which expands the educational benefits for military veterans. The Act aims to provide funding for 100% of a public four-year undergraduate education to a veteran who has served three or more years on active duty since September 11, 2001.
Eligibility
You may be eligible if you served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after September 10, 2001, or were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability after serving 30 continuous days following September 10, 2001.
The Post-9/11 GI-Bill (Chapter 33) is a very complicated benefit program. It is recommended that you go to the GI Bill® website to learn more in depth information about this program.
Note: Children of a member of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, may be eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits under the Marine Gunnery John David Fry Scholarship Program.
How to Apply
If you have never used these benefits before, you will need to apply to use them.
- Paper
- Application for Educational Benefits, VA Form 22-1990.
- A copy of your #4 page of your DD-214
- Electronic
- Go to the GI Bill® website and select the “Apply for Benefits” link for the online application. When you have completed the form, select the submit button to submit it electronically.
After you have been admitted to the university and have registered for classes, you will need to submit your eligibility letter and DD-214 Form to the School Certifying Official for VA Benefits, Jaime Espinoza.
You will then need to complete the Vet Statement of Responsibility (VSR).
The School Certifying Official, Jaime Espinoza, can be reached at 909-537-7196 or by e-mail at jesinoza@csusb.edu.
What it Pays for
Your tuition and fees (depending on your eligibility percentage) is paid directly to the school. If you are considered an out of state student and paying out of state tuition, the GI Bill® will still pay the school. However, it will only cover up to the cost of in state tuition. New legislation that took effect on January 1, 2016 requires all public schools of higher learning to charge vets (and their dependants) who have been discharged from at least 90 days of active duty within 3 years of enrolling in classes the in-state tuition rate regardless of their residency. For those attending private or foreign schools, tuition and fees are capped at the national maximum rate. If you are attending a private institution of higher learning in AZ, MI, NH, NY, PA, SC or TX you may be eligible for a higher tuition reimbursement rate.
For those attending a more expensive private school or a public school as a non-resident out-of-state student, the 'Yellow Ribbon Program' may be available. CSUSB does not participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program because the tuition and fees are lower than the cap.
Specific costs covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill®
- A monthly housing allowance which equals to:
- The basic allowance for housing (BAH) tied to your eligibility percentage, and your rate of pursuit, payable for the zip code of your school (92407) to a military E-5 with dependents for students pursuing resident training.
- One-half the BAH national average for students training solely by distance learning.
- A Books and Supplies Stipend of up to $1,000 per year or once you have taken 24 units whichever comes first.
- A one-time rural benefit payment if applicable.
For additional information visit the GI Bill post 9/11® website or call 1-800-827-1000.