Attention all military members. If you are using a the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may now be considered an in-state student.
Regardless of how long you've lived in the state, where your license was issued or where you own property.
On July 1, schools were required to comply with the Section 702 of the Veterans Access, choice and Accountability Act of 2014. The rule mandates that the VA will not make payments to schools if qualifying Veterans and their dependents are charged rates higher than those charged to resident students.
The act is meant to protect military families' tuition benefits from being taken away by schools who overcharge them for performing military service and being constantly on the move from state to state, unable to establish residency.
Still, not every GI Bill recipient will qualify. Here are the rules:
- Students must be receiving tuition assistance through the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty.
- Student (military member of family member) must live in the same state as the school and enroll within three years of discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more
- Students who initially meet the requirements will remain qualified to receive in-state tuition as long as they remain continuously enrolled at the school, even if they are outside the 3-year window or enroll in multiple programs
- States are required to ensure all public institutions of higher education are offering in-state tuition and fees to qualifying individuals. This includes the military member as well as spouses, including same-sex spouses and children (biological, adopted, pre-adoptive and stepchildren).
Schools that do not comply will stop receive payment from the VA for all Post-9/11 GI Bill students.
Have questions? Think you are being overcharged? Let the VA know.
Contact the VA specifically about this provision by emailing: Section702.Vbavaco@va.gov
The VA will continue to post updates about the Post-9/11 GI Bill on its website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
Or call with your questions at 1-888-GIBILL-1
