VA Educational Benefits

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) helps you pay for school or job training. If you’ve served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33).

Post-9/11 GI Bill® Eligibility

You may be eligible for education benefits if you meet at least one of these requirements.

At least one of these requirements must be true:

  • You served at least 90 days on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) on or after September 11, 2001, or
  • You received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or
  • You served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break in service) on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability, or
  • You’re a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or service member

Note: If you’re a member of the Reserves who lost education benefits when the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) ended in November 2015, you may qualify to receive restored benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.

How to Apply

  • Veterans who wish to use their VA educational benefits for the first time should apply online at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/ and complete a Form 22-1990 - Application for Educational Benefits, to receive a Certificate of Eligibility.
  • If educational benefits have previously been used complete a Form 22-1995 - Change of Program or Place of Training, online at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/ to receive a Certificate of Eligibility.
  • Submit the following items to the Rice University Office of the Registrar:
    • Certificate of Eligibility
    • Certificate of Release of Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214)
    • Official academic transcripts from previously attended colleges and/or universities
    • VA Information Sheet
    • VA Degree Plan

Students enrolled or interested in enrolling in a degree program offered through the Jones Graduate School of Business, please visit https://business.rice.edu/military/benefits for important steps on applying to use your VA education benefit.

Information on Tuition and Fees, Housing, Books and Supplies under Post-9/11 GI Bill® Study Abroad Programs is available.

Please be advised that in order to receive additional funding through the Yellow Ribbon Program you must be at 100% eligibility as defined by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

For more information, please visit the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) page on the VA website.