Thinking about going to grad school? Then, one of the questions on your mind is probably, "Can I use the GI Bill for grad school?" Well, your in luck. If you have remaining GI Bill benefits after earning a bachelor’s degree, you can also use them for a master’s degree. Payments vary based on your length of service, with 36 months of service providing up to 36 months of benefits. For graduate studies, the VA pays based on your school's reported training time. If your school considers 3 graduate hours full-time, the VA will pay accordingly.

Important Information About Using Your GI Bill for Grad School

If you wish to use your GI Bill for your master’s, there are some considerations you’ll need to know:

• You’re covered in accordance with how the school decides to rate your hours. Therefore, if two or three hours worth of classes are determined to be full-time, you’ll receive the full-time rate from the VA.
• If you wish to pursue another degree, you are free to do so, but only if you have GI Bill benefits remaining.
• Different GI Bills operate in their own way. This information is focused on Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. If you have another form of compensation, you may need to speak with the VA and your school’s advisor to learn more.
• Furthermore, each institution and situation is different. Utilizing the resources at your school, and within the VA, is generally a great start for anyone pursuing a graduate degree.
• Each school and program is different; however, there are opportunities in some cases to “double dip” when taking classes. Talk to your advisor about taking master-level classes as an undergraduate that you can use towards your graduate degree before you even start.

How Graduate Programs Are Covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill

Students who qualify for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits can use them to cover their school’s tuition, fees, books for classes, and to pay for housing through an allowance.

Additional Assistance

While using your GI Bill for a master’s program is a great way to save on the expensive costs of education, your benefits may not cover everything.A popular option for the military community facing these issues is to utilize the Yellow Ribbon Program.Available to Veterans and qualifying people within the military community, many universities are Yellow Ribbon Schools, which can help cover some of the costs GI Bills leave behind when pursuing a master’s degree.

Can My Spouse Use the GI Bill for a Master’s Degree?

Your spouse and children can have benefits transferred to them and the same guidelines apply. They can use a GI Bill for grad school, as long as there are still credits available.Related reads:

• Do I Use My GI Bill for Dependents or Myself? What to Consider
• Here’s How Vets Can Use Both Post- 9/11 and Montgomery GI Benefits
• A Legacy of Leadership: U.S. Presidents Who Were Generals

Sources:Undergraduate and graduate degrees, VA. Accessed August 2024. https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/undergraduate-graduate-programs/