Did you know you can use your GI Bill outside the U.S.?
With a few minor differences from using the GI Bill stateside, you can attend a U.S.-based 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 have your tuition paid in full if you are going to a public school. If you are going to a U.S.-based private school, you will have your tuition paid up to the annual maximum amount of $27,120.05 yearly for the 2023-2024 academic year. This amount increases to $28,937.09 in the 2024-2025 school year. 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, and 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, Survivors' and Dependents' Educational 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, attend a foreign school, your tuition will be paid up to the annual maximum reimbursement rate, currently $27,120.05 yearly for 2023-2024 academic year. This amount rises to $28,937.09 in 2024-2025, beginning Aug. 1, 2024. The monthly housing allowance is $2,109.00 monthly for a full-time student for 2023-2024. This amount rises to $2,355 in 2024-2025. 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, and 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, Survivors' and Dependents' Educational 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 Department of Veterans Affairs' information for students wishing to attend foreign schools for helpful tips.
Keep Up With Your Education Benefits
Whether you need a guide on how to use your GI Bill, want to take advantage of tuition assistance and scholarships, or get the lowdown on education benefits available for your family, Military.com can help. Subscribe to Military.com to have education tips and benefits updates delivered directly to your inbox.
