The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides education benefits to eligible service members, Veterans, and their dependents or survivors. Federal GI Bill® benefits can be used to pursue your University of Minnesota degree or, in some cases, transferred to eligible spouse or children.
You can learn more about the Federal GI Bill® benefits and the application process by visiting VA.gov’s Education Benefits page or the VA’s Education and Training page.
If you are a Minnesota resident who has exhausted all of their Federal GI Bill® benefits, you may be eligible for the Veteran Education Assistance grant from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
Eligibility and benefits
Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
Eligibility
You may be eligible if you served on active duty after September 10, 2001. Service members must serve at least 36 months on active duty to receive 100% of this benefit. Those with fewer than 36 months of qualifying active duty service can review their benefit eligibility rate on their My VA profile.
What does the benefit pay?
- Up to 100% of tuition and fees directly to the institution.
- A monthly housing allowance based on the school’s zip code.
- Up to $1000 a year for books.
Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for the most up to date information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
Eligibility
National Guard and Reserve service members with a 6 year service obligation may be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR). All initial entry training must be completed before you are eligible.
What does the benefit pay?
A monthly rate directly to the service member based on full-time or part-time enrollment status.
Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
Eligibility
This benefit provides education and training assistance to dependents and survivors of veterans who meet one of VA’s criteria for eligibility.
What does the benefit pay?
A monthly rate directly to the benefit recipient based on full-time or part-time enrollment status.
Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30)
Eligibility
Veterans and active duty service members who have at least two years of active duty may be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD).
What does the benefit pay?
A monthly rate directly to the benefit user based on full-time or part-time enrollment status.
Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)
Eligibility
Veterans may be eligible for Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits if they have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% and a discharge status that is other than dishonorable.
What does the benefit pay?
Payment and coverage for this benefit is determined by each individual’s Vocational Rehabilitation counselor.
Transferring Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits
If you are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and have not exhausted your coverage, you may be able to transfer up to 36 months of benefits to your spouse or dependent children. Once the Department of Defense (DOD) approves the transfer, new beneficiaries can apply for VA benefits and receive their own Certificate of Eligibility.
- The service member must apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
- Once approved for the benefit, the service member must transfer up to 36 months of benefit eligibility to a qualifying dependent using the milconnect portal.
- Once the benefit transfer request is approved, the qualifying dependent must apply for the benefit themselves in order to receive their own Certificate of Eligibility.
GI Bill Enrollment Verification
Students using Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill benefits are required to verify enrollment at the end of each month during the term to continue receiving payments.
- If you’re using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, you can verify your enrollment on VA.gov.
- If you’re using Montgomery GI Bill benefits, you can verify your enrollment on WAVE.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.