The Post 9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after Sept. 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. Full tuition and shop fees are covered for veterans who have received a 100% rating for the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. The full four-year program at ACBA uses 36 months of Post 9/11 GI Bill®; students with less than 36 months remaining should speak with the Financial Aid Office about possible extensions to their remaining months through the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship.

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is available for those who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. MGIB encompasses both the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (Chapter 30) and the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606). Under Chapter 30, Active Duty members enroll and pay $100 per month for 12 months and are then entitled to receive a monthly education benefit once they have completed a minimum service obligation. Under Chapter 1606, a reservist must be actively drilling and have a six-year obligation in the Selected Reserve to be eligible.

For the purposes of determining your Basic House Rate, you are considered to be an E-5 with dependents stationed in the same ZIP code as your school (29403). This means you can either look up a basic DoD pay chart, or use the Defense Department BAH calculator to determine how much you can expect to be paid every month. Keep in mind that this rate could be lower if you have less than 100% Post-9/11 GI Bill® eligibility or if you’re not a full-time student. Post-9/11 BAH Rates are also prorated by how much of the month was spent in classes. This means during summer externships, don’t expect a July payment, and if Spring classes don’t start until mid-January, you’ll see a February payment that is half of the normal rate.

All veterans must submit any previous transcripts to ACBA before beginning classes. Transcripts will be reviewed by the Office of the Registrar with any transferable courses awarding transfer credits. It is a VA requirement that all colleges review any previous transcripts. All Veterans are eligible to obtain a transcript from JST. These transcripts include all training you have participated in during your service and serve as a way to transfer in potential elective credits.

ACBA works closely with a local Charleston veteran advocacy center called the Palmetto Warrior Connection. PWC helps veterans find housing, employment, and work with their benefits. Veteran students with additional questions should take advantage of the resources at PWC.

Veterans also receive a books and supplies stipend from the VA during both the Fall and Spring semesters. For more information, contact ACBA’s Veteran Services or call 843-577-5245.