What Exactly is a Trade School?

A trade school is a vocational or technical school that provides industry-specific technical skills. Attending a trade school can take anywhere from 10 weeks to 2 years, and results in a diploma, trade certificate, or associate degree. 

Trade schools aim to prepare you for a specific job in your chosen trade or industry. Some of the most lucrative careers you can get into when you attend a trade school include:

• HVAC repair
• Carpentry
• Floral Design
• Jewelry Design
• Cosmetology
• Medical Assistance
• Billing and Coding
• Massage Therapy
• Veterinary Technology
• Automotive Service Technician
• Web Development (Coding School)

Since trade schools are short course programs with an open enrollment and a non-traditional education, you get a lot of hands-on experience on your own pace, and can finish your trade-specific education and training in a short span of time.

Moreover, trade schools are relatively affordable, with an average cost of $33,000.

Once you finish your program, you can start working immediately and earn a median salary of $35,720 (or even twice that amount, depending on the field you choose to enter).  

However, $33,000 is still not a small amount, and can leave a significant dent on your finances. But, don’t worry! This is where your GI Bill benefits come in. If you’re wondering...

Can I Use the GI Bill for Trade School?

Absolutely yes. The GI Bill is a wonderful option for attending trade school.

With just a high school diploma or a GED, you can get admitted into most trade schools.

There are two options that you can choose from when pursuing your trade school education:

Non-college degree program

This educational benefit can be used by active duty service members, veterans, and eligible dependents. The VA will pay for tuition costs, as well as provide a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) and a yearly stipend for books and supplies. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Using Your GI Bill for Non-College Degree Programs. 

This is a great option if you want a career in HVAC repair, truck driving, or emergency medical training, to name a few.

On-the-job training/ apprenticeship

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On the other hand, the apprenticeship program is only for veterans and their dependents. The VA will pay a monthly stipend equivalent to your applicable MHA...

...and, since this program means training directly under an employer, you will also receive a salary during your training, proportional to your skill level.

Through this program, you can pursue a career in fields such as plumbing, firefighting, and hotel management. Many veterans have used the GI Bill to attend the Police Academy.  

*Spouses using transferred benefits are not eligible for this benefit.

Furthermore, if the trade you want to pursue requires you to have a license or certification, you can also use the GI Bill to pay for up to $2,000 in licensing and certification tests after you complete your trade school training.

Pro-tip: Use the WEAMS Search Tool (or our easier-to-use Explore tool) to look for VA accredited schools, employers participating in the on-the-job training program, and covered licensing and certification tests.

What benefits you can get for attending trade school depends on the following factors:

• The GI Bill program you are receiving benefits from,
• The type of program you are attending,
• Your eligibility percentage, and
• Your rate of pursuit or training level

First, let's go over the different GI Bill programs that you can use for trade school.

What GI Bill Program am I Eligible For?

There are two GI Bill programs that cover trade school education and training- the Post 9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill. First, you want to figure out which GI Bill you have. Each program has its own eligibility criteria and payment rates, which we will discuss below.

Additionally, the VA also offers a Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E), which provides career counseling and assistance in resume building.

It also gives special assistance for veterans with disability looking to integrate successfully into civilian life.

Post 9/11 GI Bill

Are you eligible? The minimum requirement for eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill is 90 days of active duty service on or after September 10, 2001 (or 30 consecutive days, if you were discharged due to a service connected disability).

Your eligibility percentage goes up the longer you serve in the military. Use this table as a guide in determining how much benefits you are eligible for:

What is a GI Bill Non-Degree Program?

A non-college degree program is a type of education that focuses on special topics and provides applied knowledge and skills training without resulting in a degree.

These types of programs are offered to both undergraduate and postgraduate students seeking to widen their knowledge and skills set.

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Because these are shorter and more specialized programs compared to typical college degrees, they are a great way to improve your resume and broaden your opportunities in advancing your career without spending 2 to 4 years (or more, especially if you are not studying full time) in college.

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These types of programs can be at universities and colleges, as well as trade schools, vocational schools, and skill training schools. Using the GI Bill to attend trade school is a great way to "fast track" your way to a great paying job. 

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However, these do not include flight school, correspondence school, on-the-job training, and licensing and certification programs, which the VA classifies as separate categories, and provide different payment rates and qualification metrics for each. An example of on-the-job training is using the GI Bill to attend the Police Academy. 

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If you are interested in finding more information about these other programs that you can use your GI Bill benefits for, you can check out these links:

• GI Bill for Flight School (which includes using it for helicopter school)
• On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeships
• GI Bill for Licensing and Certification

As long as you are enrolled in a VA approved program and school, and you have remaining entitlement benefits, you can take advantage of the many benefits in pursuing your non-degree education.

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What Kind of GI Bill Benefits Can You Get for Non-College Degrees?

Your GI Bill educational benefits can pay for your tuition costs, and provide you with a monthly housing allowance, as well as a stipend for books and supplies. How much you can get depends on several factors, namely:

• The GI Bill program you are qualified to receive benefits from,
• The duration of your service as an active duty service member,
• The type of school or learning institution you are attending, and
• Your rate of pursuit

For non-degree programs, the VA determines your rate of pursuit based on the number of clock hours you are attending each week (as opposed to enrolled credit hours you are enrolled in if you are attending a degree program).

The VA considers full-time training for non-degree programs as:

• 18 clock hours per week, if your classes are mostly in a classroom setting, or
• 22 clock hours per week, if your classes are mostly practical application such as shop practice

Here are the benefits that you can get for the Post 9/11 GI Bill and other GI Bill programs for a non-degree program:

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Post 9/11 GI Bill Non-Degree Benefits

If you are receiving benefits from the Post 9/11 GI Bill, the VA can pay:

The full in-state tuition costs of your non-degree education if you are attending a public school, or up to  $24,476.79 per academic year if you are enrolled in a private school.

Again, how much you can actually receive are dependent on the factors we mentioned above. The payment for your tuition costs are sent by the VA directly to your school.

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You are also entitled to receive a monthly housing allowance depending on the location of where you are taking most of your classes, as well as up to $83 per month for books and supplies.

These are paid to you directly every month via mailed checks or through direct deposit.

These benefits and rates are also applicable to qualified recipients of the Fry Scholarship. You can check out the current rates here.

Other GI Bill Programs

For all the other GI Bill programs such as the Montgomery GI Bill (both Active Duty and Selected Reserve), the Reserve Educational Assistance Program, and the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program, the VA pays a certain amount of your tuition on a monthly basis, again depending on your eligibility. 

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There are different rates for each GI Bill program, which you can check on the VA Rate Tables, which is updated each academic year.

You can also find out how much you can get depending on the school you want to attend by using the GI Bill Comparison Tool.

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Types of Non-Degree Programs that Qualify for the GI Bill?

There are a lot of accredited non-college degree programs that you can use your GI Bill benefits on. Many veterans are interested in using their GI Bill to get Tactical Training...this is also possible. From being a chef to a dog trainer, and even to an emergency medical technician, you have unlimited options.

These include:

• Automotive Diagnostics
• Barber/Beautician School
• Bible College
• Computer Training
• Cosmetology School
• Culinary College
• Dog Trainer
• EMT Certification
• Fire Academy
• Gemological Institute of America
• HVAC Certification
• Hospitality
• Interior Design
• Massage Therapy
• Maritime Institute
• Nursing
• Occupational Training
• Truck Driving/School
• Vocational Schools

Is the field you are interested in not on the list? 

Don’t worry! You can use the WEAMS tool, or our GI Bill Approved Search Tool to search for all VA approved non-degree programs (and more). You can also check out whether the school you want to attend is accredited by the VA by using this School Locator.

Once you are ready to start receiving GI Bill benefits for taking up a non-college degree program, just follow these simple steps:

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How Can I Apply for Non-Degree Programs that are Eligible Under the GI Bill?

In order to receive educational benefits for your non-degree program, here are what you should do:

1. Make sure that you are eligible to receive GI Bill educational benefits, and which GI Bill program you are eligible to receive benefits from. Generally this is called your Certificate of Eligibility for your GI Bill Benefits, or COE. 
2. Fill out the appropriate application form. Be ready to provide the following information:

• Your basic personal and contact information
• Your Social Security Number
• Your education and military history
• Your bank account direct deposit information
• Basic information on the school or institution you are attending
• You can find your application form as well as other instructions here.

3. Once you submit your application, simply wait for 30 days in order for your application to be processed. You should receive your approval letter in the mail. Or, if the VA needs more information in order to process your application, they will notify you via mail as well.

You can also apply by mail. To do this, call the GI Bill hotline at 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (888-442-4551), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m to request a copy of the application form, which will be sent to you via mail.

Once you receive it, fill it out and sent it to the nearest VA regional claims processing office. You can search for the nearest processing office in your area by clicking through this link.

Alternatively, you can also apply in person by going to the nearest VA regional claims processing office, or with the help of an accredited representative. Click here to get help in filing your application. 

That’s it! Studying and opening doors of opportunity for veterans like you has never been easier through the help of the GI Bill.


Want to find out about the 29,000+ amazing opportunities that you can use your GI Bill benefits on? Check out our huge database here: milversity.com/explore

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