Does the GI Bill Cover Nursing School?

Does the GI Bill Cover All Tuition Costs?

Your GI Bill may cover all your tuition costs, but it depends on several factors. This includes the type of GI Bill you're using, how many years of service you have, and whether you're attending an in-state public university or a private one. The GI Bill can help you pay for textbooks and housing expenses. If you have leftover benefits, you can transfer those benefits to family members like your spouse or children.

Is the Post-9/11 GI Bill Applicable to Nursing School?

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is good for any major, including nursing school. However, your nursing school needs to be accredited. You can use your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits on an Associate Degree in nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree to help you become a registered nurse (RN). You can use the remaining funds toward a graduate program.

Tips for Using the GI Bill for Nursing School

The education benefits are a huge upside for military service members, but they aren't applied automatically. You'll need to take a few steps to ensure that you can use the GI Bill to pay for your nursing degree program. We've outlined a few steps below.

1. Understand Your GI Bill Type

There are two types of GI Bills: the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30). They offer slightly different benefits for active duty and veteran students. The bill you qualify for depends largely on when you enlisted in the armed forces. Here is a brief explanation of each. Alternatively, you can visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill to learn more.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), offers financial aid to those who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. To obtain this financial assistance, you must meet one of the following requirements:

• served at least 90 days on active duty on or after September 11, 2001
• received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service
• served for at least 30 continuous days on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability
• are a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or service member

The Post-9/11 GI Bill will cover up to 48 months of higher learning expenses depending on how long you served. This includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, and a stipend for housing.

Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is generally for those who enlisted before 9/11. The eligibility requirements for this bill can vary depending on if you're an active duty service member or if you're a member of any of the following reserves:

• Army
• Navy
• Air Force
• Marine Corps
• Coast Guard
• National Guard

The amount of VA education benefits you receive from the MGIB depends on several factors, including your length of service. A full breakdown is available on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

2. Verify Nursing Program Accreditation

To qualify for veteran benefits, the nursing school you choose must be accredited by either a regional or national organization. Regionally-accredited schools are generally preferable, as they must meet more rigorous standards for their higher education, but either will allow you to use your tuition assistance.

To obtain licensure, like an RN license, your nursing program needs to be accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Most colleges list their accreditations on their website.

3. Budget for Expenses

There are a lot of expenses to consider when going to college, and even tuition can vary greatly. Things like the type of school, your state, and whether you study full-time or part-time can all affect tuition costs.

Other costs you should budget for include:

• college or university fees
• textbooks and course materials
• housing
• transportation
• food

These costs can add up quickly, and you must have funding to cover everything.

4. Explore Additional Funding

While GI Bills are a great way for current and veteran service members to pay for their education, not all student expenses are paid. Luckily, programs are available to help students pay for their remaining expenses.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Many colleges and universities participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which helps students cover costs not covered by their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Students can use it for higher out-of-state or private tuition or graduate programs. You must qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100% benefit level to use funds from the Yellow Ribbon Program. You can find a list of participating institutions through the VA's official U.S. government website.

Veterans Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)

Veterans Readiness and Employment is a program for those who have a service-connected disability that limits their ability to work or prevents them from working. It helps veterans explore employment options and address education or training needs. This program covers education and training for veterans to help them find work in a different field but also helps veterans return to their former jobs, find jobs that match their skill sets, or start their businesses.

Military Scholarships

Scholarships are financial aid that does not need to be repaid. Organizations offer scholarships for a variety of reasons, including military service.

There are hundreds of scholarships available to students every year. You can find scholarships using the U.S. Department of Labor's free scholarship finder tool at https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/find-scholarships.aspx or by contacting your financial aid office.

State-Specific Benefits

Several states offer financial aid benefits to military members as grants and tuition waivers. Each state is different, so check to see what your state offers. Additionally, many public universities offer in-state tuition rates to veterans regardless of their state of residence. However, you must be living in that state once classes begin.

5. Coordinate With Your School's Veterans Office

Most schools have veterans' offices to help military members navigate their higher education experience. The advisors working in these offices can help you ensure you're using your full GI benefits. Depending on your school, the veterans' office may also be able to help you with things like choosing the right major and keeping track of your benefits. Check with your college or university to see what's available.

6. Keep Track of Your Benefits

The financial aid that the GI Bills offer is finite, meaning you have a certain amount that you can use. You need to keep track of your benefits to ensure you have enough to cover your needs. If you're having trouble keeping track of your benefits, the VA website can help you check your benefit status. You can also speak to your school's veterans' office for assistance.