Overview of Both Chapters
The two most commonly used GI Bill programs are the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) and the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30). Both provide up to 36 months of education benefits, but they pay out very differently.
Post-9/11 (Ch. 33)
Pays tuition directly to the school + monthly housing allowance + book stipend. Available to those who served after 9/10/2001.
Montgomery (Ch. 30)
Pays a flat monthly rate directly to you. Requires $1,200 pay reduction during first year of service. Available to those who entered after 6/30/1985.
Important: You can only use one chapter at a time. If you switch from Ch. 30 to Ch. 33, the conversion is permanent — you cannot switch back.
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) Benefits
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most generous education benefit available. At 100% eligibility (36+ months of active duty service after 9/10/2001), you receive:
Tuition & Fees
Paid directly to the school. Covers 100% of in-state public tuition and fees, or up to $30,908.34/year at private schools (Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027).
Monthly Housing Allowance (BAH)
Equal to the E-5 with dependents BAH rate for the ZIP code where your school is located. It varies widely by location and is prorated by your benefit level and course load.
Book Stipend
$41.67 per credit hour, up to $1,000 per year, prorated by your benefit level.
One-Time Relocation Allowance
$500 for rural students who need to relocate.
Eligibility tiers: Benefits scale from 50% to 100% based on cumulative active duty time since Sept. 10, 2001: 90–179 days = 50%, 180–544 days = 60%, 545–729 = 70%, 730–909 = 80%, 910–1,094 = 90%, 1,095+ days (36 months) = 100%. Purple Heart recipients automatically qualify for 100%.
Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) Benefits
The Montgomery GI Bill pays a flat monthly rate directly to you — not to the school. You decide how to spend it.
Monthly Rates, 3+ Years of Service (Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027)
These are VA's posted rates for Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027 (Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026: $2,518/month full-time). Fewer than 3 years of service: $2,110/month full-time. At 1/4 time or less: up to $650.25/month (or tuition, if less). Check va.gov for the current table before you plan around a number.
The $1,200 buy-in: To use Ch. 30, you must have opted in during basic training and had $100/month deducted from your pay for 12 months. If you didn't opt in, you can't use it — but you may still qualify for Ch. 33.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Post-9/11 (Ch. 33) | Montgomery (Ch. 30) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Payment | Paid directly to school | Flat rate paid to you |
| Housing Allowance | E-5 BAH rate (by ZIP) | Included in flat rate |
| Book Stipend | $41.67/credit, up to $1,000/year | None (use monthly rate) |
| Monthly Payout | Varies by ZIP | $2,601 flat (full-time, Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027) |
| Buy-In Required | No | Yes ($1,200) |
| Transferable to Dependents | Yes (with 6-year commitment) | No |
| Yellow Ribbon Eligible | Yes | No |
| Online-Only Rate | 50% of national avg BAH | Same flat rate |
Chapter 30 to Chapter 33 Conversion
If you're currently using the Montgomery GI Bill and want to switch to the Post-9/11, you can — but there are trade-offs.
You'll gain access to the housing allowance, book stipend, and Yellow Ribbon eligibility
Your remaining Ch. 30 months convert to Ch. 33 months
The switch is permanent — you cannot go back to Ch. 30
You will not get a refund of the $1,200 buy-in unless you exhaust all 36 months under Ch. 33
Pro tip: For most veterans attending in-person classes in a mid-to-high cost area, Ch. 33 pays significantly more than Ch. 30. The BAH alone often exceeds the entire Ch. 30 monthly rate.
Which One Is Right for You
Choose Post-9/11 (Ch. 33) if:
- You're attending in-person classes (BAH is the biggest factor)
- Your school's tuition and housing are worth more than the flat Ch. 30 rate
- You want to transfer benefits to a spouse or child
- You're attending a private school that participates in Yellow Ribbon
- You live in a high-cost area (higher BAH)
Choose Montgomery (Ch. 30) if:
- You're taking classes 100% online (Ch. 33 housing drops to half the national average BAH for online-only)
- You're attending a low-cost school in a low-cost area
- You want maximum flexibility with a flat monthly check
- You already paid the $1,200 buy-in and want simplicity
Other GI Bill Chapters
Chapter 35 — Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA)
For spouses and children of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled or who died in service. Provides up to 36 months of benefits if you first enrolled on or after Aug 1, 2018 (45 months if before).
Chapter 1606 — Selected Reserve
For members of the Selected Reserve (Guard and Reserve). Pays a monthly rate ($508/mo full-time, Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027) while you maintain drilling status. Lower payout but available while still serving.
Chapter 1607 — REAP (Discontinued)
The Reserve Educational Assistance Program was discontinued in 2015. If you were using it, remaining entitlement may have converted to Post-9/11.
How to Check Your Remaining Entitlement
- 1
Log in to VA.gov
Go to va.gov and sign in with your Login.gov, DS Logon, or ID.me account.
- 2
Navigate to Education Benefits
Select "Check your remaining GI Bill benefits" under the Education section.
- 3
Review Your Statement of Benefits
You'll see months remaining, percentage of eligibility, and delimiting date (the deadline to use your benefits: none if your service ended on or after Jan 1, 2013, under the Forever GI Bill; 15 years from your last separation if it ended before).
Don't forget: College Decoded's GI Bill Calculator can estimate your total payout including BAH by ZIP code, so you can compare schools before you commit.
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