How to Use Your GI Bill for Certification and Training

Since the first year that veterans could use the GI Bill for certification and training, tens of thousands have utilized their GI Bill or other Veterans Administration (VA) education benefits to attend non-college degree programs, apprenticeships or on-the-job training.

Darrell Roberts, executive director for Helmets to Hardhats—an organization that helps veterans transition into construction industry jobs—says the revised Post-9/11 GI Bill can make apprenticeship training more attractive to veterans since apprentices can receive financial assistance while they learn a craft that offers middle-class wages and benefits.

There are similar stories happening in other industries as well.

Here is how to use your GI Bill For Certification And Training

Non-college degree programs

The GI Bill 2.0 pays for all in-state tuition and fees at public trade schools, vocational schools and certificate programs, and up to $25,162.14 per year at private and foreign institutions. For full-time students, it also pays up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies and a housing allowance equal to BAH for an E-5 with dependents in the ZIP code where the school is based.

On-the-job training and apprenticeship training

Students will receive 100% of the housing allowance during their first six months of training. The housing allowance will decrease every six months until reaching a level of 20% in the third and subsequent years of training. Pays up to $83 per month for books and supplies.

Flight programs

Pays up to $14,378.35 per academic year for vocational flight training. Individuals pursuing flight training through a degree program at a public college or university will receive up to the full in-state cost of tuition and fees, while students at a private college or university will receive the net cost of tuition and fees up to a yearly limit. Only students pursuing flight training through a degree program will be eligible for the housing allowance or book stipend.

Distance learning

You can use the GI Bill for independent and distance learning online. If you’re using your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits while taking only distance-learning courses, they’ll pay a housing allowance based on 50% of the national average.