Does the Post 9/11 GI Bill Cover Trade Schools?
Q: Does the Post 9/11 GI Bill cover trade schools yet?
A: Generally speaking no, unless your trade course is taught by an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL), then it might be covered by Chapter 33 – the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The reference made in the VA Certifier’s Handbook under Education and Training Available Under Chapter 33 says “Under chapter 33 all programs must be offered by a degree-granting institution of higher learning (IHL) and approved for chapter 30. Approved programs include undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and non-degree programs approved at the IHL”.
The key is the non-degree programs must be approved for Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)) and taught at a degree-producing school, so that leaves out vocational, technical and other trade-like schools because they do not teach a degree-producing course.
The current Post 9/11 GI Bill Reform Package in legislation probably won’t change that either as it addresses on-the-job and apprentice training programs, but no mention of trade, technical, license or certification programs. Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill) is a good choice for these types of non-degree programs.