If you're looking for a GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility, or your GI Bill Letter, then you're probably planning on using it to further your education. There are few questions that usually come up:
- How do I know my GI Bill eligibility status?
- How do I get my GI Bill certificate of eligibility?
- How long does it take to get my letter?
- What should I do with it after I get it?
I wrote this post to answer these questions and show you the easiest and best way to get all of this accomplished, so that you can start using your GI Bill benefits.
This post will teach you how to get your Certificate of Eligibility, which you will need to enroll in the many different education and training benefits and programs that the VA offers. You will also need this certificate when applying to schools and training facilities, so that they can process your enrollment under GI Bill Veteran program rules.
*Note: The eBenefits portal has changed. Many other blogs describe the steps incorrectly since the user flow has changed on the website. Here are the correct steps:
The Correct Way To Get Your GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility (or GI Bill Letter)?
Go to https://www.va.gov/
Under the “Education” Section, click the link “Check your Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits”
Click the green button “Sign In or Create an Account”
Login with your DS or CAC login
Click the green button “Check Your GI Bill Benefits”
View your GI Bill “Statement of Benefits”/Certificate of Eligibility
Click “Get Printable Statement of Benefits”
How Do I Know My GI Bill Eligibility?
The VA has several programs and benefits that you can apply for depending on your status and qualifications, providing support for both active duty and discharged service members, as well as their dependents.
You may find out which program you are qualified for by clicking this link. Or you can read on below to see the different GI Bill and other benefit categories:
Post 9/11 GI Bill
Active duty service of at least 90 days after September 10, 2001
Montgomery GI Bill
- Active Duty Requirements:
- Active duty service of at least 2 years,
- Was honorably discharged, and
- Has a highschool diploma/ GED/ 12 credit hours in college
- Selected Reserve Requirements:
- A member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserves, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, and
- Has a 6-year service obligation (or a Selected Reserve officer with another 6-year service obligation)
If you do not qualify for these programs, don’t worry!
Aside from the Post 9/11 and the Montgomery GI Bills, the VA offers other assistance programs, such as the following:
- Advanced trainings and certifications for non-degree programs and vocational courses
- Educational assistance programs for guardsmen, reservists, and other veterans
- Educational and career counseling for recently discharged members, and their dependents
- Vocational rehab and employment for those discharged due to a service-connected disability, and their dependents
How Do I Know My Dependent’s GI Bill Eligibility?
Like we just said, your family can also reap the benefits of the GI Bill. The VA has generous provisions for providing assistance to dependents and survivors of active duty, discharged, and deceased service members. Your spouse and/or your children can definitely benefit from these programs!
You can check your dependent’s GI Bill status using the same instructions outlined above.
Aside from the ones we already mentioned, here are two more education benefits that VA offers to dependents and survivors:
Transferred Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits
This program is facilitated by the Department of Defense, which allows active duty and Selected Reserve service members to transfer up to 36 months of unused benefits to their dependents.
- The service member has completed 6 years of service, and has agreed to serve 4 more years
- The qualified dependent is enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
If you need to transfer benefits, or have questions about that, you can get answers on the VA.gov transfer page here.
DEA Program and the Fry Scholarship
These programs are for the dependents of disabled and deceased service members and veterans.
- For the spouse or child of a deceased service member
- The service member died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001, or
- The service member is missing in action/ captured/ detained by hostile or foreign entities in the line of duty, or
- The service member is receiving out-patient treatment for a permanent service-connected disability that is a basis for discharge
- For the spouse or child of a permanently disabled veteran
- The veteran has a permanent service-connected disability, or
- The veteran died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability
How To Apply (so that You Can Get a GI Bill Letter)
Once you have determined which GI Bill program you are eligible to get benefits from, you can now start your application!
Creating an account
To start your application, go to the VA website and log in to your account. If you don’t have an account yet, create one now. You will need to provide your personal information such as name, address, contact details, and Social Security Number.
Required Information
The next step once you have an account is to start your application. Provide all the requested information including your military history, education history, bank account direct deposit information, and basic information about the school or training facility that you want to attend or are attending.
Make sure that all the information you provide is accurate. After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation message.
How To Obtain a Copy Of Your GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility, or GI Bill Letter
It’s best to keep your original copy for your personal records. In any case, whether you are keeping it or have already submitted it somewhere, you will definitely need a copy for the next time you want to use your GI Bill benefits.
*Note: The eBenefits portal has changed. Many other blogs describe the steps incorrectly since the user flow has changed on the website. Here are the correct steps:
Here is how you can get a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility:
Step 1. Go to the VA.gov website here
Step 2: Under the “Education” Section, click the link “Check your Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits”
Step 3: Click the green button “Sign In or Create an Account”
Step 4: Login with your DS or CAC login
Step 5: Click the green button “Check Your GI Bill Benefits”
Step 6: View your GI Bill “Statement of Benefits”/Certificate of Eligibility
Step 7: Click “Get Printable Statement of Benefits” Blue Button (Shown Above)
How Long Does It Take To Get a GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility?
If you’ve already applied for the GI Bill, and have been approved, then getting the letter is instant if you just want to log on and print your GI Bill Letter (Statement of Benefits). See instructions above.
If you haven’t yet applied for the GI Bill:
Then, all you have to do is wait for around 30 days for the results.
The VA will send your Certificate of Eligibility in the mail, but its much quicker to just print it yourself from the online portal. In the case where you get denied, or they need more information to process your application, they will let you know via mail as well.
Notes
- You can also start your application without an account on the VA portal, but you won’t be able to save your progress if you don’t finish your application in one sitting.
- If you want to process your application by mail, request a copy of the application form by calling 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (888-442-4551) anytime from Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm. Send in your accomplished application form to the nearest VA regional processing office in your area.
- You may also process your application in person by going to the VA regional processing office. For a list of regional processing offices, click here.
- If you need help with your application, you can reach out to an accredited representative by clicking this link.
GI Bill Overview
A quick refresher on the GI Bill:
The GI Bill is a legislation implemented by the Department of Veteran Affairs that provides education benefits to veterans and active duty members of the different branches of the Department of Defense.
It provides several avenues for pursuing education and training through different programs, such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill.
Since its implementation in 1944, the GI Bill has provided countless opportunities for eligible recipients in smoothly transitioning to civilian life and opening doors for career advancement.
If you are not receiving GI Bill benefits yet, don’t miss out! Now is the time to enroll in a GI Bill program and reap its benefits. We’ll show you how to apply for the GI Bill benefits.
What can I use my GI Bill benefits for?
Now that you have your Certificate of Eligibility allowing you to use your benefits, you can start using them! From learning yoga, to developing your culinary skills, to becoming a doctor, there is a lot of opportunities for you!
Here is a list of where you can use your GI Bill benefits:
- Undergraduate and graduate degrees
- Non-degree programs
- Vocational courses
- Flight and correspondence training
- Foreign programs
- Licensing and certifications
The GI Bill will provide you with the following, based on your qualifications:
- Tuition assistance
- Housing allowance
- Books and supplies stipend
- Rural benefit
- Tutorial assistance
Here is the best part yet:
You don’t have to choose just one of these things! You can use your GI Bill benefits several times, such as taking two degrees, or getting licensed for different fields. This is as long as you have entitlement benefits remaining.
Just remember, the amount of benefits you can receive depends on your qualifications, such as the amount of time you have served as an active duty service member.
Wondering how you can do that?
It’s simple! You just need to apply to use your benefits each time you are enrolling in a class or training program.
Here is where your Certificate of Eligibility comes in:
Every time you apply for using your benefits, or enroll in a learning or training institution, you will need to submit this certificate.
And there you have it! Start using your GI Bill benefits now, and use them smartly!
For a list of all the things you can use your benefits for, check out all of the 29,000 VA Approved GI bill opportunities here: https://milversity.com/explore/
