Being a service member, veteran or family member of someone in the military provides some opportunities to pursue your educational goals using military education benefits. One of these is the GI Bill®, a term used for certain Department of Veterans Affairs education benefit programs for eligible servicemembers, veterans, and family members. The benefits are designed to help cover the costs of getting an education or training. Eligibility requirements vary by benefit program.1
Who Qualifies for the GI Bill?
GI Bill qualifications depend on the specific benefit program. For the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), you generally need at least 90 aggregate days of active-duty service after September 10, 2001 to receive at least a partial benefit. Veterans generally must have an honorable discharge to qualify. The percentage of the full benefit you receive generally scales with your total qualifying active-duty service time.1,2
Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility Requirements
Service Requirement
For the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, you generally need at least 90 aggregate days of active-duty service after September 10, 2001. A partial benefit may be available starting at 90 aggregate days, while at least 36 months of active-duty service generally qualifies for the 100% benefit level.1,2
A Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, or a service-connected disability discharge after at least 30 continuous days of service, can also qualify someone for the 100% benefit level.1,2
Discharge Requirement
For veterans, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® requires an honorable discharge. 3
Benefit Tiers by Length of Service
Eligibility and benefit amounts vary according to qualifying service. Visit the VA’s Post-9/11 GI Bill® page for current requirements, benefit percentages and rates.1,2
How Benefit Amounts Are Tiered by Service Time
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® uses benefit tiers based on qualifying active-duty service. Generally, at least 90 aggregate days may qualify you for 50% of the full benefit, while at least 36 months may qualify you for the 100% benefit level.2
Specific payment amounts and rates can change annually, so reference the VA.gov website for current information.
The “Forever GI Bill”: Do Benefits Expire?
For service members whose last discharge was on or after January 1, 2013, your benefits won’t expire. The Forever GI Bill – Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act removed the previous 15-year time limit for using Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits. Those who separated earlier than January 1, 2013 will still have a 15-year time limit, so check your individual benefit status with the VA.1
National Guard and Reserve Eligibility
National Guard and Reserve members may qualify for GI Bill® education benefits depending on their service and the specific benefit program.4
The Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve program may provide education and training benefits to eligible members of the Selected Reserve. Eligibility generally depends on factors such as the member’s service obligation, completion of initial active duty for training, education credentials and continued good standing in a Selected Reserve unit. Visit the VA for current eligibility requirements and payment rates.4
Montgomery GI Bill vs. Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® may provide education benefits to eligible servicemembers and veterans. Eligibility and benefit amounts vary; visit the VA’s Post-9/11 GI Bill® page for current requirements and rates.1,2
The Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty program may help eligible servicemembers and veterans with education and training costs. Eligibility depends on service history and other program requirements. Visit the VA.gov website for current eligibility requirements and payment rates.5
Certain servicemembers may also qualify for additional GI Bill® payments through programs commonly known as a “kicker” or College Fund. Eligibility and payment rules vary by service and benefit program; check with your service branch and the VA for current information.5
Tuition Assistance Top-Up may allow eligible servicemembers to use GI Bill® benefits to help cover certain tuition and fee costs not covered by military Tuition Assistance. Eligibility depends on the applicable GI Bill benefit and Department of Defense Tuition Assistance requirements.6
Transferring GI Bill Benefits to Family
Eligible service members may be able to transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to a spouse or dependent children, subject to Department of Defense service requirements and approval. Transfers generally must be requested while the service member is still serving.7
How to Check Your Eligibility and Apply
The most reliable way to check your GI Bill® eligibility is through VA.gov, where you can apply for education benefits or, if you have already received Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, review your remaining entitlement through your GI Bill Statement of Benefits.1,8
Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients who receive a monthly housing allowance or kicker payments generally must verify their enrollment each month to continue receiving those payments.9
Military education benefits can be confusing and overwhelming. We recommend speaking with an Education Service Officer (ESO) on your base to learn more. At CTU, our dedicated military team is also on hand to help. Our financial aid advisors can help you understand how eligible benefits may apply at CTU. Learn more about being a military student at CTU: coloradotech.edu/military.
Frequently Asked Questions
You typically qualify for a partial benefit with at least 90 aggregate days of active duty after September 10, 2001, and for the 100% benefit level with at least 36 months of active-duty service. A Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, or a service-connected disability discharge after 30 continuous days, can also qualify you for 100%.1,2
Yes. Veterans need an honorable discharge to qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. 3
For many veterans, no. The “Forever GI Bill” removed the 15-year time limit for service members whose last discharge was on or after January 1, 2013; those who separated earlier may still have a 15-year time limit.1
In many cases, eligible service members can transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to a spouse or dependent children, subject to Department of Defense service requirements and approval. Transfers generally must be requested while still serving.7
The most reliable way is through VA.gov, where you can apply for education benefits and, if you have already received Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, review your remaining entitlement through your GI Bill Statement of Benefits.1,8
Next Steps
Interested in going back to school to pursue a degree? Learn more about being a military student at CTU.1 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), at <https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11/> (visited September 24, 2026).
2 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Post-9/11 GI Bill Rates, at <https://www.va.gov/education/benefit-rates/post-9-11-gi-bill-rates/> (visited September 24, 2026).
3 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Compare VA Education Benefits, at <https://www.va.gov/resources/compare-va-education-benefits/> (visited September 24, 2026).
4 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), at <https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-selected-reserve/> (visited September 24, 2026).
5 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD), at <https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-active-duty/> (visited September 24, 2026).
6 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Tuition Assistance Top-Up, at <https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/tuition-assistance-top-up/> (visited September 24, 2026).
7 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Transfer Your Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits, at <https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_transfer.asp> (visited September 24, 2026).
8 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Apply for VA Education Benefits, at <https://www.va.gov/education/apply-for-gi-bill-form-22-1990/> (visited September 24, 2026).
9 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, GI Bill Enrollment Verification FAQs, at <https://www.va.gov/resources/gi-bill-enrollment-verification-faqs/> (visited September 24, 2026).
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 Web site at
www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Colorado Technical University cannot guarantee employment, salary or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states. REQ2262545 09/2026