Using Your GI Bill Overseas

Did you know that you can use your GI Bill outside of the U.S.?

With a few minor differences from those using the GI Bill stateside, you can go to a college on an overseas military installation using your GI Bill, you can even go to a foreign school off-base with your GI Bill. Let’s look at how it works.

Using Your GI Bill On An Overseas Military Base

• Post-9/11 GI Bill: If you, or a family member using transferred benefits, are attending a U.S. based school on an overseas military base you will be paid almost the same as if you were going to school in the states. You will have your tuition paid in full if you are going to a public (state) school. If you are going to a private school you will have your tuition paid at up to the annual maximum reimbursement rate, currently $22,805.34 yearly, if your tuition at a private school exceeds that amount you must pay the difference out-of-pocket. The housing allowance is based on the BAH for an E-5 with dependents for the school’s main stateside campus. The book stipend is the same as if you were attending school stateside. Remember, if you are on active duty, you won’t get a housing allowance, neither will your spouse. See our Post-9/11 GI Bill page for details.
• All other GI Bill Programs: You will be paid the same as if you were using your GI Bill stateside. If you are on active duty, you will receive payment up to the actual cost of your program. If your school costs more than what the GI Bill would reimburse, you will have to make up the difference yourself. See our Montgomery GI Bill, Dependents Education Assistance, or Fry Scholarship Program pages for more details.
• Tuition Assistance: Works the same as stateside. See our Tuition Assistance page for details.
• Tuition Assistance Top-Up Program: Works the same as stateside. See our Tuition Assistance Top-Up page for details.

Using Your GI Bill To Attend A Foreign School

• Post-9/11 GI Bill: If you, or a family member using transferred benefits, are attending a foreign school you will have your tuition paid at up to the annual maximum reimbursement rate, currently $22,805.34 yearly, if your tuition exceeds that amount you must pay the difference out-of-pocket. The monthly housing allowance is paid at the U.S. average BAH for an E-5 with dependents, currently $1,681.00 for a full-time student. The book stipend is the same as if you were attending school stateside. Remember, if you are on active duty, you won’t get a housing allowance, neither will your spouse. See our Post-9/11 GI Bill page for details.
• All other GI Bill Programs: You will be paid the same as if you were using your GI Bill stateside. If you are on active duty, you will receive payment up to the actual cost of your program. If your school costs more than what the GI Bill would reimburse, you will have to make up the difference yourself. See our Montgomery GI Bill, Dependents Education Assistance, or Fry Scholarship Program pages for more details.
• Tuition Assistance: Not available for foreign based schools.

If you are attending a foreign-based school, you may want to check out the VA’s Information for Students Wishing to Attend Foreign Schools for helpful tips.

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