What is the Post 9-11 GI Bill?

As of August 1, 2011 the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs' GI Education Enhancement Program changed the calculations for the tuition and fee coverage to grant a maximum of $17,500 per academic year to Vets, which is pro-rated based on one’s months of service from September 11, 2001 forward.

Your Certificate of Eligibility will indicate what percentage of the $17,500 you may receive. Some Graduate program’s tuition can be covered in full by the GI Bill alone and do not require 100% eligibility of the Yellow Ribbon program. See “Sample Tuition Calculations.”

How to Apply

1. Apply on-line at http://www.gibill.va.gov/apply-for-benefits/. There is no limit to the number of GI Bill eligible students the College may admit, however, there is a limit to the amount of Yellow Ribbon grants offered by Saint Mary’s (see Post 9-11 Yellow Ribbon).
2. The VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility (This may take a few weeks to receive from the VA)
3. Send, fax, email or bring in a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility to:

Julia Odom (jodom@stmarys-ca.edu )
(925) 631-4214
Registrar's Office
Saint Mary's College of California
P.O. Box 4748
Moraga, CA 94575-4748

Because the percentage varies for each student, the examples below are based on 60% eligibility ($19,198.31 x 60% = $11,518.96). The samples do not include potential fees. Any fees assessed in a year will be covered with the remaining GI Bill grant or if used up, by the student. Note: The VA will not award unused portions of your grant nor will the grant roll over for future years.

Undergraduate: Based on full-time enrollment for Fall and Spring term

1.  $19,870 (Fall term tuition charges)
2.  $11,518.96 (Ch.33 contribution for 60% eligibility)
3.  $8,351.04 (balance)
4.  +$19,870 (Spring term tuition charges)
5.  $28,221.04 (Remaining balance to be paid by student)

Graduate Kinesiology: Based on enrollment in a minimum of 6 units per trimester (three trimesters per academic year)

1.  $11,518.96 (Ch.33 contribution for 60% eligibility)
2.  -$7,416 (Fall term tuition charges)
3.  $4,102.96 (Ch. 33 benefits remaining to use)
4.  -$7,416 (Spring term tuition charges)
5.  $3,313.04 (Remaining balance to be paid by student)
6.  +$4,944 (Summer term tuition charges)
7.  $8,257.04 (Total balance, excluding fees, to be paid by student)

Graduate Business: Based on enrollment in a minimum of 8 units per quarter (four quarters per academic year).  This example is for the Executive MBA program.

1.  $11,518.96 (Ch.33 contribution for 60% eligibility)
2.  -$9,800 (Autumn quarter tuition charges)
3.  $1,718.96 (Ch.33 benefits remaining to use)
4.  -$9,800 (Winter quarter tuition charges)
5.  $8,081.04 (Winter balance to be paid by student)
6.  +$10,000 (Spring quarter tuition charges)
7.  +$10,000 (Summer quarter tuition charges)
8.  $28,081.04 (Total balance to be paid by student in one academic year)

Graduate Education: Based on enrollment in Core Certificate, Credential, or Masters Programs.  $840 per unit is the standard tuition charge for a Grad. Ed. program.  

1. $11,518.96 (Ch.33 contribution)
2. -$7,875 (Fall term tuition charges)
3. $3,643.96 (Ch.33 benefits remaining to use)
4. -$2,625 (Jan term tuition charges)
5. $1,018.96 (Ch. 33 benefits remaining to use)
6. -$7,875 (Spring term tuition charges)
7. $6,856.04 (Spring balance to be paid by student)
8. +$5,250 (Summer term tuition charges)
9. $12,106.04 (Remaining balance to be paid by student)

 BA in Leadership (BALOS)

1. $11,518.96 (Ch.33 benefits Contribution)
2. -$4,920 (Fall Term tuition charge)
3. $6,598.96 (Remaining Ch.33 benefits)
4. -4,920 (Winter Term tuition charges)
5. $1,678.96 (Remaining Ch.33 benefits)
6. -$4,920 (Spring Term tuition charges)
7. $6,598.96 (Remaining balance to be paid by student)

MA Leadership

1. $11,518.96 (Ch.33 benefits Contribution)
2. -$5,724 (Fall Term tuition charge)
3. $5,794.96 (Remaining Ch.33 benefits)
4. -$5,724 (Winter Term tuition charges)
5. $70.96 (Winter balance to be paid by student)
6. +$5,724 (Spring Term tuition charges)
7. $5,794.96 (Remaining balance to be paid by student)