Does the GI Bill Pay For Books? A Complete Guide to Getting Money for Textbooks

The GI Bill is one of the most comprehensive education benefits programs in the country, providing eligible veterans, service members, and their families with money to cover the costs of tuition, housing, and other expenses associated with furthering their education. One common question many GI Bill users have is whether the benefit will also pay for textbooks and other course materials. The short answer is yes – the GI Bill does provide money that can be used specifically for buying books, supplies, and equipment needed for classes. However, the details depend on which GI Bill program you are using.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Book Stipends

The Post-9/11 GI Bill also known as Chapter 33 is the most widely used education program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This GI Bill provides comprehensive coverage of in-state tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, and a stipend for books and supplies.

The book stipend is paid directly to the student at the beginning of each academic term. The amount available depends on your rate of pursuit (number of credit hours) and your Post-9/11 benefit eligibility percentage.

Book Stipend Amounts

• For full-time students at 100% benefit level, the book stipend is $1000 per academic year.

• If you are attending school at less than full-time, the stipend is prorated. For example, at 50% benefit level and half-time enrollment, you would receive 50% of the full stipend, equaling $500 for books.

• The maximum book stipend payment per term is $500, even if you are full time. So you would get $500 when the fall semester starts and another $500 at the beginning of spring.

• You can receive a book stipend for each term you attend school at least half time. This means you could get 3-4 stipend payments if taking summer sessions.

• The book stipend resets each academic year, so any unused amounts don’t carry over.

The book stipend is paid automatically along with the tuition and fees and monthly housing allowance. You don’t have to submit receipts or do anything special to get it other than certify your enrollment as normal.

What the Stipend Covers

The Post-9/11 book stipend is fairly flexible in what it can be used for. In addition to required textbooks, you can also spend this money on:

• Classroom supplies like notebooks, paper, pens, highlighters, calculators, etc.

• Computer equipment like laptops, printers, tablets, software programs, etc.

• Other course materials like lab equipment, tools, uniforms, or kits.

• Backpacks, locks, binders, or other organizational items.

Basically, if you need it for your classes, the book stipend can cover it. The only things it won’t pay for are parking, transportation, or non-course related supplies. And unfortunately you can’t pocket any leftover amounts – the stipend must be used for school expenses.

Book Stipend Restrictions

While the Post-9/11 book stipend provides generous coverage, there are a few scenarios where you would not receive it:

• Active duty military – Members on active duty don’t qualify for book stipends or housing allowances under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

• Transferred benefits – The book stipend is not paid if you are using transferred benefits while the original GI Bill owner is on active duty.

• Less than half-time enrollment – You must be enrolled at least half time to receive any book stipend.

• Apprenticeships & OJT – Those in on-the-job training or apprenticeship programs can get stipends for supplies, but not an annual lump sum payment.

• Correspondence courses – No book stipends provided for correspondence or independent study programs.

• Flight training – Book stipends are not authorized for flight training programs.

Outside of those particular situations, if you are eligible for Post-9/11 benefits, you will nearly always get additional money for textbooks and supplies.

Montgomery GI Bill Book Benefits

The other major GI Bill program is the Montgomery GI Bill, which comes in two versions – one for active duty (MGIB-AD) and one for Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR). Unfortunately, neither Montgomery GI Bill program includes a book stipend like the Post-9/11. However, there are still some options to help pay for books under MGIB.

MGIB Monthly Allowances

Both the active duty and Selected Reserve Montgomery GI Bills pay a tax-free monthly allowance directly to the student. For 2022, the monthly rate is up to $2,150 per month for MGIB-AD and $408 per month for MGIB-SR.

This allowance can be used to cover any education-related costs, including textbooks. So you aren’t limited and can use a portion for books if needed.

Increasing Monthly Allowance

For MGIB-AD only, there is a program called the “Buy-Up” that allows you to make additional contributions to increase your monthly allowance.

For an extra $600 in contributions while on active duty, the Buy-Up boosts your monthly MGIB payments by $150 per month ($2,300 total). This extra amount applied over 36 months can really add up, providing over $5,000 in additional funds that give more flexibility in buying books.

MGIB Kicker

Some service members also qualify for a monetary incentive known as a “Kicker.” This adds up to $950 extra to your MGIB monthly payment. The Kicker plus Buy-Up option together ultimately provides $2,450 per month in tax-free allowances under MGIB-AD that can be utilized to pay for textbooks.

Other Helpful Options for Books

Beyond what the GI Bills themselves offer, there are some other options both on and off campus that can help you save money on course materials:

• Many schools have on-campus bookstores, libraries, and textbook rental or sharing programs that offer discounts. Ask your university for details on textbook assistance programs.

• Check online marketplaces like Amazon, Chegg, eBay, or Craigslist for used, rented, or e-book versions. Digital and rental options can be much cheaper than buying new.

• Research your textbooks early and thoroughly compare prices between all retailers, including the campus bookstore. Look for available discounts, coupons, or sales.

• Sell back any unused textbooks you purchased to recoup some of the expense.

• Consider sharing or borrowing books from classmates when allowed. Or keep books from previous terms if the editions haven’t changed.

• Apply for additional scholarships, grants, or tuition assistance programs that could help with book costs.

• Check with local libraries, which may have certain textbooks available to borrow for free.

Using all the resources available both through the GI Bill and beyond can make getting the books you need much more affordable.

How to Get Your GI Bill Book Money

To make sure you receive any book stipends or benefits you qualify for, stay on top of your administrative responsibilities:

• Ensure you have completed all required paperwork and are certified with the VA as eligible for the GI Bill program you want to use.

• Register for classes early and report your enrollment to the VA as soon as possible, at least 30 days prior to the term start. This gives time for book stipends to be calculated and processed.

• Notify your school’s certifying official about any changes to your schedule so stipend adjustments can be made if needed.

• Save and submit receipts for any supplies, equipment, or books you purchase using GI Bill allowances as documentation.

• Carefully track your stipend payments received. Make sure you aren’t exceeding any annual or term limits.

• Contact your VA representative with any questions about book stipend eligibility or when payments will be issued.

With all the education costs adding up, using your benefits to get extra money for textbooks and supplies can make a huge difference in affordability. Now that you know exactly how the GI Bills can help pay for books, you can move forward confidently in pursuing your educational goals.