Post 9-11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill ® is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. The Post-9/11 GI Bill® will become effective for training on or after August 1, 2009.  (http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp)

Tuition and Fees

The tuition and fees payment is paid directly to the school on behalf of the student when an enrollment certification has been processed. The tuition and fees payment is based on the benefit level, and the reported actual net cost for in-state tuition and fees after the application of any waiver, scholarship, aid, or assistance [other than loans and funds provided under section 401(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965], provided directly to the institution and specifically designated for the sole purpose of defraying tuition and fees.

Monthly Housing Allowance

A monthly housing allowance is paid directly to the student at the beginning of each month for the previous month. The amount paid is based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school (Active duty personnel and spouse of active duty personnel are not eligible for the housing allowance).

NOTE: Individuals only enrolled in distance learning courses will be eligible for a monthly housing allowance equal to 50% of the national average of all Basic Allowances for Housing.

Rate of Pursuit and the Housing Allowance

VA calculates rate of pursuit by dividing the number of credits being pursued by the number of credits considered to be full-time by the school.  The resulting percentage (rounded to the nearest multiple of 10) is the student’s rate of pursuit.

Examples: Full-time is 12 credits, for University of Arizona undergraduate student, so rate of pursuit for:

· 6 credits is 50% (6 ÷ 12 = 50%)

· 7 credits is 60% (7 ÷ 12 = 58% rounded up to 60%)

Rate of pursuit determines whether a student receives or doesn't receive the housing allowance.  To be eligible for the housing allowance, rate of pursuit must be 60% or more.  If rate of pursuit is less than 60%, then the student doesn't receive any housing allowance. (Active duty personnel receiving Chapter 33 benefits or spouses of active duty personnel receiving Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) benefits are not eligible for the housing allowance.) 

Books and Supplies Stipend

A lump sum will be paid directly to the student at the beginning of each semester. At the 100% benefit level it pays $41.67 per credit certified, up to 24 credits for the academic year (08/01/XX to 07/31/XX).   If benefit level is less than 100%, it's based on percentage. (i.e.. 90% benefit level = $41.67 x 90% = $37.50 per credit certified, up to 24 credits for the academic year.

Rural Benefit

A one-time payment of $500 may be payable to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas if they reside in a county with 6 persons or less per square mile (as determined by the most recent decennial census) and either:

1. physically relocate at least 500 miles to attend an educational institution or
2. travel by air to physically attend an educational institution if no other land-based transportation exists

For more information click here.

Yellow Ribbon Program

The University of Arizona IS a Yellow Ribbon School.  Only individuals approved for 100% benefit level may receive funding.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® pays in-state tuition and fee charges at public schools. Out of state students and those attending private or foreign schools may receive additional funds to help cover unmet costs under the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is on a first-come first-serve basis and is limited to 600 undergraduate applicants, 200 graduate applicants, and 200 professional program applicants.

Applications are submitted automatically in the Veteran Certification through UAccess Student based on your residency and Post 9/11 GI Bill® status.

Fry Scholarship

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to the children and surviving spouses of Service members who died in the line of duty while on active duty after September 10, 2001. Eligible beneficiaries attending school may receive up to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level.

Fry scholarship covers the net cost of  in-state tuition and fees after the application of any waiver, scholarship, aid, or assistance [other than loans and funds provided under section 401(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965], provided directly to the institution and specifically designated for the sole purpose of defraying tuition and fees.  Fry Scholarship recipients are NOT eligible for Yellow Ribbon.

Office Locations and Contact Information

UA Main, Phoenix, Online and Distance  Campus Students                               UA South Campus Students

Modern Languages Building, Room 347                                                                   UA Sierra Vista Campus - Groth Hall, Room 107

Phone: (520) 621-9501                                                                                              Phone:(520) 458-8278 or (520) 626-2422                          

Fax: (520) 621-3665                                                                                                   Fax:(520) 458-5823 or (520) 626-2492                               

Email: veterans@email.arizona.edu                                                                          Email: uasouth-vets@email.arizona.edu     

"GI Bill^®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.