Who Can Use GI Bill Benefits?
If you’ve served after 9/11, there’s a good chance you qualify for GI Bill benefits.
You May Be Eligible If:
- You served at least 90 days of active duty (with or without breaks) on or after September 11, 2001.
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You received a Purple Heart after 9/11 and were honorably discharged—no matter how long you served.
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You served 30 continuous days on or after 9/11 and were honorably discharged due to a service-connected disability.
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You’re the spouse or dependent child (age 18–26) using benefits that a qualifying Veteran or service member transferred to you.
What Doesn’t Count?
There are a few situations where your service may not count toward GI Bill eligibility, like:
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Being assigned by your branch to a civilian school for courses similar to civilian classes.
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Serving as a cadet or midshipman at a service academy.
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Doing initial skills or training only in the Guard or Reserves under Title 10, Section 12103(d).
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Being called to duty under certain sections of Title 10 or Title 14 that don’t qualify.
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Serving in the National Guard full-time for reasons outside of organizing, recruiting, or training under Title 32, Section 502(f).
⚠️ Heads up: If your only period of service started on or after August 1, 2011, and you qualify for more than one VA education benefit, you’ll need to choose just one to use.
Why Hybrid Programs Make It Possible
The good news is that to get a higher MHA, you don't need to be fully on-site. You can choose to enroll in hybrid programs, which allow you to balance your study, work, and life.
Benefits of Hybrid Programs
VA-Approved and MHA-Eligible:
Many hybrid programs are fully VA-approved, so you can use your GI Bill benefits and still receive financial support for both tuition and housing.
Overall, hybrid programs are an ideal option for veterans who want career development, educational growth, and financial support, without sacrificing their current lifestyle.
Flexiblility:
Most hybrid programs combine online lectures with occasional in-person sessions, making it easier to keep working, care for your family, or manage other responsibilities.
In addition, you can attend a school in a high MHA zip code without needing to live near campus full-time, helping you save on rent and commute.
More Interaction and Support:
Hybrid formats still give you access to on-campus resources, peer networks, and faculty, without the full-time classroom commitment of a traditional program.