Puckett & Faraj

What is the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for persons with military service of at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or those who were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.  Your military service record must have been characterized as with an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.  You can receive up to 36 months of benefits for training at an Institute of Higher Learning, and have approximately 15 years following your release from active duty to use the benefits, if you are eligible.   If you served a continuous 36 months or more after 9/11 and you meet all the requirements for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you are eligible for 100% of the funding available.

Benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill

Beginning on or after August 1, 2009, this program will pay eligible individuals tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, a stipend for books and supplies and a one-time rural benefit payment for eligible individuals.  The application form requires that individuals currently eligible for benefits under the Montgomery GI BILL-Active Duty (MGIB-AD), Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) make an irrevocable election from their existing program to the Post-9/11 GI Bill.  Additionally requirements apply, please review the Veterans Administration (VA) website.

Time your Benefits

The VA recently added additional information to their website.  “Normally, your months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill will be equal to the number of months of entitlement you have remaining under the MGIB-AD. However, if you use all of your MGIB-AD benefits, then you may be entitled to a maximum of 12 additional months of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.”  This means you are on active duty and have used all of your MGIB-AD benefits, you could get an additional 12 months of education benefits.

Eligible for a Board for Correction of Military Records

Those separated military members without an honorable discharge should consider whether or not they are eligible for a Board for Correction of Military Records, Board for Correction of Naval Records, or a discharge upgrade.  While not every petition for a records correction or discharge upgrade are granted, the ability to apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill rests on the characterization of your military discharge, your military service record, and amount of time served in the military.

Military Defense Attorneys

Civilian military attorneys can assess your military service record status and provide the legal services to request the upgrade or correction to your records.  Your military service is recognized by the VA as a contribution to our nation and the VA benefits are recognized as entitlement for those that served.   Review your DD Form 214 now to see if you are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.  The Law Firm of Puckett & Faraj, PC, defend the rights of all military members and work to support the fair treatment of our brave men and women.  If you or a member of your family could be eligible for VA benefits because of military service, please call our toll free number for a free consultation, 877-970-0005; or contact us via Email.  Your questions will be answered and all communication is protected by the attorney-client privilege.