Members of the military make many sacrifices to protect our country. While service members may enlist for honor and patriotic duty, the U.S. does have laws in place offering them extensive benefits — most prominently, the GI Bill, which has helped cover the cost of higher education for millions of veterans and their family members.
The GI Bill has existed in several different iterations since its creation in 1944, but, ultimately, its purpose has remained the same: to provide military veterans with a better life and more opportunities. That means mitigating the many costs associated with schooling and training.
If you’ve served in any branch of the U.S. military and are interested in a graduate program — or are the family member of a veteran — you should consider the benefits associated with the GI Bill, which can drastically cut the costs of a degree and potentially cover it altogether.
In particular, a master’s degree sets you up for an advanced position and more competitive salary. So, if you can enroll in a graduate program without taking any significant financial risks, it’s a win-win situation!
Below, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the GI Bill.
What Is the GI Bill?
The GI Bill is a program that helps pay for school for qualifying veterans and their family members. It “covers college and university tuition, online and part-time schooling, licensing and certification courses, vocational training and trade school, entrepreneurship training, and flight school,” according to the U.S. Army.
The first version of the GI Bill was enacted in 1944 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help military members returning from World War II get back on their feet. It gave millions of veterans financial assistance for housing, health care and of course, college education, setting them — as well as the rest of the country — up for greater economic success. The GI Bill’s introduction contributed to an education boom, with the number of degrees awarded by U.S. colleges and universities more than doubling between 1940 and 1950, according to the National Archives.
Since then, the GI Bill has been repeatedly extended, offering assistance for those who served in the Vietnam War, the Korean War and, most recently, for military members who served on active duty on or after 9/11.
The current version of the bill continues to provide financial support so veterans can pursue education and career training. This money may go toward tuition, classes, books, housing and more.
Who Qualifies for the GI Bill?
In general, if you’re an “active-duty service member or veteran, a member of the National Guard or Reserves, or a qualified survivor or dependent,” you are likely eligible for the GI Bill, according to Veterans Affairs.
Your benefits and eligibility do vary based on which particular GI Bill you fall under, though. Here are the different iterations of the GI Bill, according to the VA.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill: People who served on active duty at least 90 days (does not have to be continuous) after Sept. 10, 2001; people who served at least 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001 and were discharged over a service-connected disability; or anyone who received a Purple Heart after Sept. 10, 2001.
The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD): People who served at least two years of active duty and were 1) honorably discharged 2) have a high school diploma, GED or 12 hours of college credit and 3) didn’t initially decline enrollment in the MGIB-AD.
The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR): Members of the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Reserves, Army National Guard and Air National Guard who have either agreed to serve six years in the selected reserve or are officers in the selected reserve in addition to their initial service obligation. They must also have completed initial active duty for training (IADT), gotten a high school diploma or GED before finishing IAD and stayed in good standing while in the reserve unit.
There are changes to eligibility over time, so you can check your status on the Veterans Affairs website.
But the GI Bill doesn’t only cover veterans. It may also provide financial aid for family members. People who haven’t used all their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits may have the option of giving these benefits to a spouse or child instead. If someone is killed, goes missing in action or is disabled while serving in active duty, it’s also possible their direct family members will receive GI Bill benefits.
Can the GI Bill Be Used for Online Graduate Degrees?
The GI Bill is a great way for veterans to cover the cost of graduate school, especially online graduate programs. The amount of money each person receives, however, is dependent on many factors. For example, those who are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill may be able to have the entire tuition rate covered, while those who are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill instead receive a fixed monthly rate to cover education costs, according to the VA.
Still, the majority of veterans will be able to receive financial assistance that handles a large portion of tuition costs. Considering online graduate programs are often more affordable than on-campus ones (as students do not have to account for housing, commuting, parking and more), that funding can go farther. Plus, some institutions like USC have online graduate programs that cost the same for in-state students as they do for those who live out of state.
Of course, even if you’re obtaining a master’s degree virtually, you still need books and other supplies. The GI Bill may partially or fully cover the costs of your school supplies, too, regardless of how you’re obtaining your degree.
One thing to keep in mind is that the GI Bill does offer reimbursement for housing costs, so you will likely receive a reduced rate if you’re attending classes online. Still, you can avoid relocating to a new place and paying moving costs if you pursue your graduate degree virtually.
It’s important to remember the GI Bill doesn’t apply to every graduate school or program — they must be properly accredited and approved by the VA. USC, for example, offers online graduate programs that are eligible for GI Bill benefits.
Does USC Offer Military Benefits?
USC prides itself in supporting and offering financial assistance to veterans. Not only does it have both online and in-person programs that are eligible for GI Bill assistance, but it also boasts dedicated programs tailored to former service members, including a Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) program and a Master of Social Work (MSW) track for aspiring military social workers.
The Veterans Resource Center assists former service members as they attend USC and network with other veterans, while the Student Veterans Association helps them thrive in their studies. Plus, the Veterans Success Program at USC can help students before they even begin their journey with the university. The three-day program, which is entirely free for veterans, allows people to meet faculty and other students, brush up on their writing skills and pick up tips to excel in the USC environment.
With USC’s support for current and former military members, whether through financial aid or community building, it might just be the right place for you.
Learn more about online graduate programs at USC today.