How To Use FAFSA and the GI Bill To Cover Tuition

One of the major military education benefits that service members receive is tuition assistance. Often, this assistance is through the GI Bill, which helps both active-duty military members and veterans pay for higher education expenses.

FAFSA is a tool that students can use to find financial aid. Keep reading to learn how to use FAFSA and the GI Bill to cover tuition costs.

Can You Use the FAFSA and GI Bill At the Same Time?

FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is an application that all students who need help paying for college should fill out. The GI Bill, meanwhile, is a program that help active-duty service members, veterans, and their dependents can use as a military benefit to pay for college.

You can use both FAFSA and the GI Bill simultaneously to pay for your higher education. The amount you receive from your GI Bill is not affected by your FAFSA; however, the amount you are eligible for through FAFSA may be lower depending on your GI Bill benefits.

Does the GI Bill Pay for Financial Aid?

GI Bills are financial aid programs offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The amount you receive depends on how many years of military service you have completed.

There are two primary types of GI Bills, and both offer educational assistance for tuition costs. The Post-9/11 GI Bill can help you pay for materials and living expenses, in addition to tuition expenses.

Who Can I Contact About Financial Aid and VA Benefits?

If you would like to speak to someone to learn more about your VA education benefits and the different types of financial aid available, there are a few options.

The first is to contact the VA directly. The ask.va.gov site allows you to send a message to the VA. You can also call the VA. Those with questions about the GI Bill should call 888-442-4551, while those with general questions about their benefits, including veteran education benefits, should call 800-827-1000.

Your college or university's financial aid office may also be able to help. Some colleges also have a veterans office to help you navigate using your benefits.

Can the Military Help Me Repay My Student Loans?

Two military branches offer loan repayment assistance: the Army and the Navy. These two branches will help pay off any college loans accrued before service.

The amount of financial assistance you can get depends on which branch you are enlisted in and how many years of service you have. You can learn more about these loan repayment options at GoArmy.com and Navy.com.

Tips for Using the FAFSA and GI Bill for College

College tuition is expensive, and whether you're an undergraduate or graduate student, you'll want to use whatever tuition assistance you can get. If you're a military member, you can use the FAFSA and the GI Bill to pay for your degree program. We've offered some tips below.

Understand Each Program

As we mentioned above, the FAFSA is a financial aid application. It's offered by the U.S. Department of Education, a branch of the federal government.

The FAFSA determines what kind of state and federal aid you're eligible for. Many other types of financial aid, like scholarships, also require you to have filled out the FAFSA. You'll need to fill out the FAFSA every academic year.

GI Bills are exclusively for those currently serving or those who have served in the U.S. military, and sometimes their dependants can take advantage of the education benefits these programs offer.

Determine GI Bill Type

There are two primary types of GI Bills: the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill. Both bills help cover tuition costs, but they differ in several ways.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) is for those who have served on active duty on or after 9/11. The amount you receive depends on the length of your service.

To receive the full benefit, you must meet one of the following requirements:

• You served on active duty for a total of at least 1,095 days (at least 36 months).
• You served on active duty and received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001.
• You served on active duty for at least 30 continuous days (without a break), and we discharged you because of a service-connected disability.

If you qualify for the full benefit, the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at a public school will be covered. You'll also receive a book stipend and a monthly housing allowance.

Many schools also participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. This program offers additional funding to cover costs that the Post-9/11 GI Bill does not cover.

Montgomery GI Bill

There are two types of Montgomery GI Bills. One is for active-duty service members and the other is for selected reserve members.

The eligibility requirements vary depending on whether you're an active-duty or a selected reserve member and how long you've served. Unlike the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill does not offer a housing or book stipend.

GI Bill's Impact on Need-Based Aid

Need-based aid is financial aid given based on what your financial need is. Your financial need is determined based on your Expected Family Contribution, which looks at your or your family's income, assets, and benefits.

The GI Bill is considered an entitlement, not income, so it generally will not impact need-based grants and loans. However, other types of military assistance, like VA disability, will affect your Expected Family Contribution.

Coordination of Benefits

When you fill out your FAFSA, the application automatically determines your eligibility for federal grants and loans. These can be used in conjunction with your GI Bill benefits, allowing your benefits to stretch further.

Federal Grants

Grants are a type of financial aid that generally do not need to be repaid except in specific circumstances. Grants are usually need-based and typically offered by the government or your college or university.

One of the most common grants in the United States is the Pell Grant. This grant awards up to $7,395 to students yearly, although the exact amount you receive will depend on your Expected Family Contribution.

Federal Loans

Student loans are the type of financial aid that you need to repay. These are offered by private companies, but generally, the ones offered by the federal government have better terms and conditions.

There are several different types of financial loans, each with its limits and eligibility requirements. You'll be able to look over the terms and conditions of these loans before choosing to accept them.

Report GI Bill Benefits to FAFSA

FAFSA looks at multiple factors to determine your Expected Family Contribution. Although this metric isn't affected by your GI Bill benefits, you still need to report these benefits on your application.

When filling out the FAFSA, you'll need to include your GI Bill benefits under the section for entitlements. You'll also need to report any income, including child support, and savings and checking account balances.

Consult Financial Aid Office

If you're having trouble coordinating your FAFSA and GI Bill benefits, your school's financial aid office should be able to help. After all, that's what they're there for!

They'll be able to guide you through applying for FAFSA and managing all types of financial aid you receive. You can also reach out to the VA for assistance.