Last Updated on 09/03/2026 by Ethan Sawyer
Written with Bob Dannenhold (Collegeology/Application Navigation).
As a veteran, you’re entering higher education with a set of life experiences, perspectives, and benefits unlike those of any other student on campus. College offers fantastic opportunities for you to take advantage of—and this guide will help you do that.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill: What You Need to Know
The Post-9/11 GI Bill made more than two million service members eligible for the most generous veterans’ education entitlement program since World War II. Unlike the original GI Bill, the amount of support you receive varies based on the location of your school and the type of degree you’re pursuing.
What the Post-9/11 GI Bill Covers
- All public school in-state tuition and fees
- Private and international school costs up to $29,920.95 annually (as of 2025)
- The cost of standardized tests like the SAT, GMAT, LSAT, and CLEP
Most veterans are entitled to 36 months of eligibility, or 48 months if participating in more than one program.
The Yellow Ribbon Program can also help cover out-of-state fees, some private school fees (at participating institutions), and costs above the annual cap.
All of these benefits are transferable to eligible dependents—spouses and children—while you’re still on active duty. The dependent must be enrolled in DEERS (Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System) at the time of transfer. Find more information at www.tricare.mil/deers.
For state universities, benefits are calculated based on the highest in-state tuition rate. If you’re not a state resident, the difference may be waived or covered by Yellow Ribbon funding. These benefits apply to both undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as vocational and technical programs—but check in advance on exactly what is covered for your specific situation.
Questions to Ask About Your Benefits
Before committing to a school, ask the Department of Veterans Affairs or the schools you’re considering:
- Which Post-9/11 GI Bill tier or payment rate am I eligible for?
- Which benefit offers the greatest compensation to me and my family members?
- Is the type of education or training I’m seeking covered?
- Am I using other education benefits that might be affected by my decision?
- Will I need to take online or distance learning credits?
- Is there a deadline for completing my degree or training?
- Am I eligible for a Transfer of Entitlement?
- Do I have entitlement remaining under another VA education program?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education phone line is a great place to start: 1-888-442-4551. They’ll spend as much time as needed to answer every question you have.
Ten Tips for Veterans Applying to College
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re returning from service with an impressive set of skills and experiences—but the college application process may be unfamiliar territory, especially if you went straight into the military from high school. Reach out. Ask questions.
- Be ready to shift your mindset. In the military, following orders and operating within a command structure is everything. College will ask something different of you: think of yourself as a student, approach the world with curiosity and questions, and expect to challenge ideas rather than simply accept them.
- Get involved before you apply. Consider volunteering or taking on a low-stress job before starting the application process. It gives you a chance to interact with new people and new responsibilities without the pressure of academics—and it might give you something meaningful to write about in your personal statement.
- Involve your loved ones. Your spouse, partner, or a close friend can be an important source of support during the admissions process. Invite them to campus visits or meetings with admission officers. Shared context makes the process less isolating.
- Explore test-optional options. If standardized tests like the ACT or SAT feel daunting, call the admission office at schools you’re interested in to ask whether they waive the requirement for returning veterans. Most schools in the U.S. are now test-optional anyway—search “test optional schools 2026” for a current list.
- Connect with the veterans resource center. Once you’ve identified schools you’re applying to, reach out to the on-campus veterans resource center. Connect with current students who have served. Find out what support, community, and benefits guidance is available.
- Look into military credit. An increasing number of colleges now award credit toward degrees based on military training, coursework, and occupational specialty. Depending on your degree program, you may be able to apply military experience toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. This is coordinated through the American Council on Education.
- Use your military experience in your personal statement. Think about where you were intellectually and emotionally when you joined the armed forces, how your service has shaped you, and where you want to go. That arc—before, during, after—can make for a compelling personal statement.
- Think of college as another transition. You may have spent years learning how to operate in the military but had only a week of “civilian transition training” to unlearn it. Be patient with yourself. There are resources—linked below—that have helped many veterans navigate this adjustment.
- Remember: college is a new experience, and that’s okay. You’ve done hard things. You can do this too.
Further Resources
- Website for Education Benefits
- Yellow Ribbon Program information
- Student Veterans of America
- Financial aid for children of military service members and veterans
- American Council on Education (college credit for military service)
- Transfer Guide: Understanding Your Military Transcript and ACE Credit Recommendations
- Joint Services Transcript
- Service to School
- VA Benefit Comparison Chart (GI Bill Comparison Tool)
