Using the GI Bill® for trade school: a checklist
For veterans and eligible family members choosing a certificate, diploma or other non-college degree (NCD) program in a skilled trade.
- Get your Certificate of Eligibility. Apply for education benefits at VA.gov/education/how-to-apply. It shows your benefit and eligibility percentage.
- Choose the benefit that pays more for you. Post-9/11 pays tuition to the school plus a housing allowance; Montgomery pays a flat monthly rate to you. Compare both in VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool. Some choices are irrevocable.
- Confirm the exact program is approved. Search the school in the Comparison Tool (VA.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool). Approval is by program and location.
- Read VA's caution flags on the school's profile, such as Heightened Cash Monitoring or accreditation issues, and ask the school about them.
- Check the license path. CDL: the school must be on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry. HVAC: EPA Section 608 certification. Barber and cosmetology: state board hour requirements. Electrician: state licensing hours.
- Know what VA pays (Post-9/11, Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027). Net tuition and fees up to $30,908.34 a year for NCD programs; monthly housing based on E-5 with dependents BAH at the training ZIP if you train more than half time (not on active duty); books up to $83 a month. Montgomery 3-year full-time rate: $2,601.00 a month (from Oct 1, 2026).
- Budget for the gap. Ask for the total cost in writing. Anything above VA's cap is yours to cover. VA can pay back approved licensing or certification test fees, up to $2,000 per test.
- Meet the School Certifying Official before you sign an enrollment agreement. The SCO reports your enrollment to VA. Problems later? Use VA's GI Bill School Feedback Tool.
Sources: VA, Non-college degree programs; VA, Post-9/11 GI Bill rates; VA, Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty rates; VA, Licensing and certification tests; VA, GI Bill Comparison Tool; FMCSA, Entry-Level Driver Training; EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. Links at veterantradeschools.com/guides/does-gi-bill-cover-trade-school/
Independent resource, not a government publication; not affiliated with or endorsed by VA. Figures from VA.gov, retrieved October 23, 2026; rates change each year. Confirm details on VA.gov and with the School Certifying Official. GI Bill is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. Free to copy for non-commercial counseling use. Program finder: veterantradeschools.com