Military

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs launched legislation forming the New Post-9/11 G.I. Bill beginning August 1, 2009.

Approximately 500,000 veterans, service members, and dependents pursue education opportunities under these programs annually.

The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill provides veterans with comprehensive support to start or continue their higher education degree while re-entering the workforce. The bill bases eligibility on the number aggregate days of active duty after September 10, 2001. The benefits provided to veterans are proportionate with the time of service; veterans with a minimum of 30 consecutive or 90 aggregate days can receive support.

The percentage of benefits payable includes costs of tuition, fees, housing allowance, books and relocation costs. The bill bases the costs of tuition coverage as compared to the highest in-state undergraduate at a public institution of higher education. For South Carolina, the VA determined the maximum in-state tuition to be $460 per credit hour and $4,151.50 per term.

Veterans can be eligible for benefits for 15 years from their last period of active duty of at least 90 days. Also, current members of the Armed Forces on August 1, 2009 may have the opportunity to transfer the education benefits to a spouse or dependent children.

Additional veteran support includes the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is designed to help cover costs not included under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (i.e. tuition costs exceed the maximum in-state tuition allotted). Colleges and Universities can volunteer to participate in the Yellow Ribbon program, and the VA will match each additional dollar funded by the schools. Only veterans entitled for 100% benefits payables are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.