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With military spouse scholarships, the GI Bill kept me absolutely afloat. Without it, I would have had to work full-time to cover all of my college expenses. Corporal Dustin Barfield
US Marine Corps
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Military spouses and dependents can benefit from an increased educational benefit of an Educational Assistance Allowance to help with educational costs of up to $957.00 for full time students.

For the first time in history (as of August 1, 2009), Service members who are enrolled in the Post 9/11 GI Bill program can transfer unused educational benefits to military dependents and spouses, or a combination of the two entities. These benefits become effective immediately upon transfer, and can be valid for use for up to 15 years after the qualified Servicemembers’ end of active duty


Eligible Service members may transfer the total months of unused benefits or the entire 36 months, per individual status through the DoD/DHS guidelines. These benefits must be requested and approved while the Service member is still a member of the Armed Forces. In order to be eligible, individuals must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:


  • A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability in the Armed Forces.
  • A veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence.
  • A Service member missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
  • A Service member forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
  • A Service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability, effective as of December 23, 2006.

Please visit the official VA website for specific information on military dependents benefits and military spouse benefits.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for higher education; housing and can cover fees for books and other educational costs for Service members and their families. It can be used toward graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational and technical training, on-the-job training, flight training, correspondence training, licensing and national testing programs, and tutorial assistance, through approval.

For many eligible participants, the Post-9/11 GI Bill can provide a better solution than other education benefit programs, such as the Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty, Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve and the Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP). However, the decision depends on several factors:

  • The type of education or training individuals require.
  • The amount of benefits received under each program.

Please visit the Post 9/11 GI Bill Website’s Benefits comparison page for specific details that will inform your decision.


Maximum In State Tuition and fees covered for the 2010-2011 academic year under the Post 9/11 GI Bill can be at this link.

Military spouses and dependents can also benefit from an increased educational benefit of an Educational Assistance Allowance to help with educational costs, up to $957.00 for full time students. Details can be found at the following Post 9/11 GI Bill Website link.

Benefits and scholarships are also available for Service members, dependents and spouses through a variety of private foundations under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. One of the leading national organizations is The Pat Tillman Foundation, which provides resources and educational scholarship support to veterans, active service members and their dependents. Please visit the education resources page at the VA's Tillman Scholarship information pagefor more information.

The Tillman Military Scholarsprogram aids all veterans, specifically the ever-growing population of veterans and dependents of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. The foundation has established partnerships with twelve universities around the country that have been recognized for innovative program support services and a proven culture of community for military families. Guidelines for eligibility to become a Tillman Military Scholar are listed below:

  • Veterans and active Service members of both pre- and post-9/11 service
  • Service members who wish to start, finish or further their education, and those who are enrolled as a full-time student at an American institution of higher learning.
  • Service members of all branches of the U.S. military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve.
  • Service members pursuing undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, 2-year, 4-year, public, private, vocational and trade degrees or certifications.
  • Military spouses or dependents of a service member.
The current application for this scholarship year has closed. Information on the 2012-2013 Academic year will be available in January of 2012. Please visit http://www.pattillmanfoundation.org/tillman-military-scholars/apply/ for more information and to apply.

**Please note Gi-Degrees.com is not affiliated the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any US government agency. For more information on the GI Bill, please visit U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' website here.

There are other people out there just like you who had a dream or a goal that they wanted to accomplish, and by using their GI Bill benefits they were able to achieve their goals and take steps to becoming who they aspired to be. In this section, you will be able to read stories and testimonials of how service members like yourself used their education benefits to discover their potential and as well as the many opportunities that are readily available. Everyone has a story or a testament to share, what will yours be? It’s time to get inspired and one day be the one to inspire.

If someone asked me 5 years ago where I’d see myself today, I would have never imagined telling them that I get to travel the world, help people, and make a difference. I joined the U.S. Air Force in 2006 in hopes of being able to see the world and further my career in medicine. Today, I am part of the 35th Fighter Wing Unit stationed in Japan at the Misawa Air Force Base working within the medical group. I received my Registered Nurse (RN) license back in 2005 before I joined the military and have been wanting to pursue my BSN ever since. Luckily for me, I am able study for my BSN online which makes it very convenient for me since I’m overseas. My GI benefits have really helped a lot with the costs of attendance since we all know that nursing programs can be somewhat expensive. Because the GI bill takes care of my tuition, I can focus on my work and studies worry-free. One day, I aspire to be a Nurse Practitioner for the U.S. Air Force and because of my education benefits I know that I’ll be able to reach for the stars and be who I want to be.

Sophia Manuel, Senior Airman U.S. Air Force
(Walden University-Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

Growing up, I never thought that college was for me or more so that it would never be a part of my future. College was never a huge priority in our community because most families couldn’t afford to send their kids to go. When I finished high school, I decided to join the Marines. After 8 years of active duty and discovering what I wanted to do with my life, I decided to enroll in college to study Business Management. My dream is to run a non-profit business that makes computers and other resources available to low-income families in order to give them the same opportunities to better their lives. I am graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business at the end of the upcoming Fall term. None of this would have been possible without my military benefits. The GI bill has opened up a huge window of opportunity for me to go to school and pursue my dream of starting a business. And the best part about it is the fact that when my son grows up, he will never have to worry about whether or not he can go to college because he can and will have every opportunity to go after his dream, whatever that may be.

Edward Julian, Sergeant U.S. Marine Corps
(University of Phoenix, Bachelor of Science in Business-Concentration in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship)

I am a recent graduate from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. College for me was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had since I was able to get the full college experience (i.e. living in the dorms and later getting an apartment, becoming a part of a sorority, among other things). I was fortunate enough to be able to do this without the headache of financial strain. My dad is a retiree from the United State Marines Corps. He served for over 20 years and held a high ranking with the branch. Because of his GI bill benefits, my tuition was completely paid for the entire time I attended and I was also given a monthly allowance for living expenses which I was able to use for rent and books. Currently, my younger sister is attending University of California, Santa Barbara and she is also able to go to school with her tuition and room/board paid for by our dad’s VA benefits. And when our younger brother goes to college in a few years, he too will be able to use these benefits. I plan to go back.

Bianca Lejat, Daughter of a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
(San Francisco State University, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology)

I was an E-6 First Class Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. After 13 years of service, I was honorably discharged due to sustaining a major disability. My transition into civilian life was made easier when I decided to enroll in school to pursue a degree in IT. I am currently attending a local college and will be graduating with my Associate of Applied Science in IT Network Security next summer. My GI bill really saved me the hassle and the worry of paying for school. I am receiving Chapter 33 which pays for my tuition, books, and fees. On top of that, I receive a monthly stipend to help pay for my housing. My daughter will be graduating high school soon and because of the benefits I get from the GI Bill, her education will also be taken care of. I am so lucky to given the opportunity to go to school and later be able to put my daughter through school through my military benefits.

Colin Cornwell, U.S. Navy Veteran
(Heald College, Associate of Applied Science in IT Network Security)
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