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How we determine your percentage of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits

We base your award of benefits on how long you served on active duty and certain other factors. You can start using your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits while you’re still on active duty if you’ve served for at least 90 days. Keep reading on this page to find out how much you’re eligible for. Or go to your Post-9/11 GI Bill Statement of Benefits.

Eligibility for 100% of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits

You’re eligible for 100% of the full benefit if you meet at least 1 of these requirements:

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

Eligibility for a percentage of benefits if you served less than 36 months

If you served on active duty for less than 1,095 days (36 months), you’re eligible for only part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit. Find out what percentage of the full benefit you’re eligible for based on the total amount of time you served on active duty (with or without breaks in service):

  • 910 to 1,094 days (30 to 35 months): 90% of the full benefit
  • 730 to 909 days (24 to 29 months): 80% of the full benefit
  • 545 to 729 days (18 to 23 months): 70% of the full benefit
  • 180 to 544 days (6 to 17 months): 60% of the full benefit
  • 90 to 179 days (90 days to 5 months): 50% of the full benefit

VA benefits

  • Education and training

    Apply for and manage your GI Bill and other education benefits to help pay for college and training programs.

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