Work and education: GI Bill, VR&E and finding a job

GI Bill options

The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers tuition, a housing allowance and a books stipend, with the amount tied to how long you served. The Montgomery GI Bill is a different, older program with different rules, and you generally cannot use both at once.

Benefits can sometimes be transferred to a spouse or children, but transfer usually has to be requested while still serving. If you are still in uniform, ask now rather than later.

• Yellow Ribbon can cover costs above the tuition cap at participating schools.
• The school's certifying official is the person who actually reports your enrollment to VA.
• Training does not have to be a degree. Apprenticeships, certificates and licensing tests can be covered.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31)

VR&E is for veterans with a service-connected disability that creates an employment handicap. It can pay for training and provide counseling toward a specific employment goal, and in some situations it is more generous than the GI Bill.

Because the two interact, talk to a counselor before you spend GI Bill months.

Finding work

Federal hiring preference, state workforce programs, and veteran-focused nonprofits all exist alongside VA. Hiring events and skills translation help are usually free.

If you are starting a business, the Veterans Business Outreach Centers provide free counseling and training.