Browse 2026 GI Bill planning pages for all 50 states.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) is administered by the VA and pays the same way in every state: full in-state tuition and fees at any public school, plus a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) tied to the school's ZIP, plus a $1,000/year books-and-supplies stipend. The dollar amounts depend on (1) which school you attend, (2) the school's ZIP for MHA, and (3) your eligibility tier (typically 100% after 36+ months of post-9/11 active service).
What varies by state is what you can stack on top. Several states run their own veteran tuition benefits that activate after federal benefits are exhausted, or that cover dependents. The biggest ones can match or exceed Post-9/11 GI Bill value across a 4-year degree.
| Benefit Component | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Tuition & fees (public school) | 100% of in-state tuition and fees, paid directly to the school. |
| Tuition & fees (private school) | Up to a national cap (adjusted annually). Yellow Ribbon participating schools can match the difference. |
| Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) | Equivalent to E-5-with-dependents BAH for the school's ZIP code. Online-only enrollment receives half the national average. |
| Books & supplies stipend | Up to $1,000 per academic year, paid proportionally with enrollment. |
| One-time relocation | $500 for veterans relocating from highly rural areas to attend school. |
| Total months | Up to 36 months of benefits at the 100% tier. |
Several states run veteran-specific tuition benefits that complement the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill. The list below names the largest programs by total benefit value and dependents-eligibility scope. Each program has eligibility requirements (typically: state residency at time of enlistment, honorable discharge, certain years of service); verify with the state's veterans commission before enrolling.
| State | Program | What it Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | Hazlewood Act | Up to 150 credit hours of tuition exemption at Texas public colleges. Legacy provision transfers unused hours to a child under 26. |
| Illinois | Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG) | Full tuition and certain fees at Illinois public universities and community colleges for eligible veterans. |
| New York | Veterans Tuition Award (VTA) | Up to full SUNY undergraduate tuition for eligible combat veterans pursuing approved programs. |
| California | CalVet College Fee Waiver | Tuition fee waiver at CSU, UC, and California Community Colleges for eligible dependents of disabled or deceased veterans. |
| Florida | Scholarships for Children & Spouses of Deceased / Disabled Veterans | Tuition and fees at Florida state universities and community colleges for eligible dependents. |
| Massachusetts | Public Service Scholarship / Categorical Tuition Waiver | Tuition waiver at Massachusetts state universities for eligible veterans. |
| Other states | Various | Most states run smaller programs (e.g. Operation Recognition diplomas, state-funded scholarships, in-state tuition for active-duty stationed in the state). Check your state's veterans commission. |
For private schools or out-of-state tuition that exceeds the Post-9/11 GI Bill cap, the Yellow Ribbon Program lets schools match the gap. The school contributes a set dollar amount; the VA matches it. Yellow Ribbon participation is school-specific, not state-specific — a Texas resident attending an Ohio Yellow Ribbon school benefits the same way an Ohio resident does.
Search the VA's Yellow Ribbon participants list to see exact match amounts at each school for the current year. Some elite private schools cover the full gap; most cover a portion.
Yes. The federal benefit follows you to any approved school in any state. State stacking programs (Hazlewood, IVG, etc.) are tied to state residency, not where the school is located.
If you take only online classes, MHA is paid at half the national average. If even one class is in-person on a traditional campus, MHA is paid at the school's ZIP code rate (full E-5-with-dependents BAH).
State stacking programs (Hazlewood in Texas, IVG in Illinois, etc.) typically activate after federal benefits are exhausted. They are designed to extend your usable months at a state public school.
Yes, under the Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) program — but you must transfer while still on active duty and serve an additional 4-year obligation. State programs like Hazlewood Legacy have separate dependent-transfer rules.