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Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

VA and the Post 9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is providing a better future for 773,000 Veterans and their family members. It provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 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.

"This is one of the most important programs helping our Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans reach their educational goals. We're proud this important benefit is making such a big difference in the lives of so many Veterans."
~ Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki

Post 9/11 GI Bill Quick Facts

Since the Post-9/11 GI Bill was implemented on Aug. 1, 2009, VA has provided educational benefits to 773,000 Veterans and their family members, amounting to more than $20 billion in benefits.
Nearly 1 million eligible individuals participated in 2011, a 15 percent increase over FY 2010 and a 71 percent increase over FY 2009.
For the 2012-2013 academic year, 1,770 colleges and universities are supplementing Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits by participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays tuition and fees on behalf of Veterans or eligible dependents directly to the school in which they are enrolled. Eligible participants also receive a monthly housing allowance and up to $1000 annually for books and supplies. The program also allows eligible Servicemembers to transfer their benefits to their spouses and/or children.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.
Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational/technical training, flight training, correspondence training, licensing and national testing programs, entrepreneurship training, and tutorial assistance.

VA Mental Health Program Highlights

Secretary Shinseki salutes Community Colleges helping Vets transition to the private sector

Secretary Shinsheki addressed a joint conference of the Conference of Association of Community College Trustees and the American Association of Community Colleges at the Community College National Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C.

Media Center

From our VAntage Point

Press Release

VA Registers "GI Bill" as Trademark – VA recently completed a media campaign for its call center "Coaching Into Care," a telephone service which provides assistance to family members and friends trying to encourage their Veteran to seek health care for possible readjustment and mental health issues.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Celebrates Start of Fourth Year – VA has expanded its mental health services to include professionals from two additional health care fields: marriage and family therapists (MFT) and licensed professional mental health counselors (LPMHC).
VA Budget Request Tops $140 Billion for Veterans Programs – VA is opening a new Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Las Vegas, with the dedication ceremony.

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