Airmen, veterans can now apply for new GI Bill

  • Published
  • By Maj. Beth Kelley Horine
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  (Editor's Note: This is part three of three in a three-part series discussing the new GI Bill.) 

The Department of Veterans Affairs opened its doors for accepting Post-9/11 GI Bill applications May 1. All Airmen and former Airmen with at least 90 days of active-duty service since Sept. 11, 2001, can choose to apply for education benefits, which begin Aug. 1, 2009 under the new GI Bill law. 

POST-9/11 GI BILL VS. MGIB 

Airmen and veterans who currently have the Montgomery GI Bill and meet the eligibility requirements for the Post-9/11 GI Bill may apply to convert to the newer bill as of May 1, for a program start date of Aug. 1, 2009. This is a one-time, irrevocable conversion. Currently, approximately 187,000 Airmen are eligible to make the switch, if desired. 

"For most eligible veterans, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is a better alternative than the Montgomery GI Bill," said Mr. Hawthorne. "Deciding which GI Bill to use depends on several factors, including the type of education or training you plan to take, the location of your school, and the amount of benefits received under each program." 

Individuals converting to the Post-9/11 GI Bill from the MGIB generally will be limited to the amount of remaining months of MGIB entitlement. However, if all MGIB benefits have been used (36 months), individuals are still eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and can receive an additional 12 months of benefits (48 months total, combined between two GI Bills, allowed under law).

The VA serves as the primary resource for information on all GI Bill education benefits. Airmen can find Air Force specific information on the AFPC "Ask" site by clicking on the Post-9/11 GI Bill spotlight link; or call the Total Force Service Center at 1-800-525-0102.
Additional Guidance can be found at the following: 

For more details, call the Total Force Service Center at 1-800-525-0102 or visit the Post-9/11 GI Bill spotlight link on the "Ask" AFPC Web site. 

To apply or for details on what the Post-9/11 GI Bill offers, visit the VA's Web site, www.gibill.va.gov. 

VA's Post-9/11 GI Bill: www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH33/CH33_Pamphlet.pdf 

Department of Defense GI Bill site: www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/