Missed the Full GI Bill Benefits? Here’s What You Can Still Claim With 30 Months of Service

The Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill is a game-changer for veterans who served after September 10, 2001, offering a range of education benefits including tuition, housing allowances, and stipends for books. However, the amount of assistance you’re eligible for depends on how long you served. So, what’s the deal if you served 30 months?

Veterans who served for 30 months can expect to receive 90% of the total benefits under the Chapter 33 GI Bill. While this doesn’t cover everything, it’s still a significant chunk of the full benefit, and understanding this can help veterans make the most of the education support available.

What Does 90% of the Full Benefit Look Like?

For veterans with 30 months of active duty service, the benefits break down as follows:

• Tuition & Fees: You’ll receive 90% of the tuition and fees for your school. For example, if your school charges $10,000 a year, you’d get $9,000.

• Monthly Housing Allowance: Based on the Department of Defense’s housing rates, you’ll get 90% of the full allowance. If the full housing rate is $1,500 per month, you’d get $1,350.

• Books and Supplies: You’ll also get a stipend for books and supplies, which is typically $1,000 per year. If you served 30 months, you would get 90% of that, or $900.

What If You Served Less Than 30 Months?

The benefits scale down depending on the number of months served. For instance, if you served anywhere from 24 to 29 months, you’d be eligible for 80% of the full benefit, and those who served less than 6 months would receive only 40% of the benefits. The scale works like this:

• 100% benefits: 36 months or more of service

• 90% benefits: 30-35 months

• 80% benefits: 24-29 months

• 70% benefits: 18-23 months

• 60% benefits: 12-17 months

• 50% benefits: 6-11 months

• 40% benefits: At least 90 days

Why This Matters to You

For veterans who served 30 months, the 90% benefit means you’ll still receive substantial help when it comes to paying for school, living expenses, and buying books. Understanding the specific percentage you qualify for allows you to plan accordingly and make the most of what the GI Bill has to offer.

If you’re a veteran or planning to serve, now is the time to learn more about how Chapter 33 benefits can make your education more affordable. Visit the VA website or reach out to a VA representative to explore your options.