Do you have GI Bill benefits, but feel that college is not right for you? Well, many people don't know that the GI Bill is available for training for technical or vocational training. This type of training is called non-college-degree training by the VA
What is a Non-College-Degree Institution?
What exactly is a non-college-degree institution? Well this category of school includes trade schools, vocational schools, and specialized skill training schools. A few examples include:
- HVAC repair
- truck driving
- emergency medical training
- barber/beautician school
- computer network administrator
- auto repair
- gunsmithing
What Kind of GI Bill Benefit Can You Get at a Non-College Degree Institution?
The payment amount varies depending on the GI Bill program you are utilizing and the type of non-college-degree school you are attending. Normally, your monthly benefit is based on the amount of time you spend in training each month. The VA measures this type of school differently than they measure a regular college. For a regular college, the VA bases your payment on the credit hours you are enrolled in each term; for a non-college-degree program the VA bases your payment on the number of clock hours your are attending each week.
This difference is important, since most technical programs normally require a certain combination of classroom training and hands-on learning. For GI Bill purposes full-time training is 18 clock hours/week if classroom instruction predominates and 22 clock hours/week if shop practice predominates.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, for programs offered at public non-degree granting schools, you receive the actual net costs for in-state tuition. For private schools you get the lesser of the actual cost or the national maximum amount.
Monthly housing allowance is paid based on the location of the school. Up to $83 per month is available for books and supplies.
See our Post-9/11 GI Bill Rates page for details.
The Fry Scholarship pays the same benefits as the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
All Other GI Bill Programs
VA pays a monthly rate that varies depending on which GI Bill program you are entitled to and how long your qualifying military service was.
View current payment rates for the Active Duty Montgomery GI Bill.
View current payment rates for the Guard/Reserve Montgomery GI Bill
View current payment rates for Dependents Education Assistance (DEA)
Keep Up With Your Education Benefits
Whether you need a guide on how to use your GI Bill, want to take advantage of tuition assistance and scholarships, or get the lowdown on education benefits available for your family, Military.com can help. Subscribe to Military.com to have education tips and benefits updates delivered directly to your inbox.
