WASHINGTON, D.C. — Millions of veterans may qualify for additional education benefits under the GI Bill following recent court rulings, prompting federal officials to automatically review eligibility and expand access.
What This Means for You
- Some veterans may qualify for up to 12 additional months of education benefits
- Eligibility reviews may happen automatically without needing to apply
- Total benefits could reach up to 48 months under combined programs
The Department of Veterans Affairs said it is implementing changes after two court decisions that expand how veterans can use benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill, two federal programs that provide funding for education and training.
What the Court Rulings Changed
Under a 2024 Supreme Court decision in Rudisill v. McDonough, veterans with multiple qualifying periods of military service may combine benefits from both programs, allowing up to 48 months of total education support.
A separate 2025 ruling in Perkins v. Collins extended similar eligibility to some veterans with a single qualifying period of service, provided they meet requirements under both programs.
Officials estimate more than 1 million veterans may qualify for additional benefits under each ruling.
How VA Is Responding
The VA said it is taking several steps to ensure eligible veterans receive expanded benefits.
The agency will automatically assess eligibility under the Rudisill decision, eliminating the need for veterans to request a review.
It is also prioritizing reviews for veterans with fewer than three months of benefits remaining who are currently enrolled in school or were enrolled within the past six months.
In addition, the VA is updating its systems to apply the Perkins ruling and plans to review all eligible veterans’ records once those updates are complete.
What Veterans Can Expect
Officials said veterans may receive up to an additional 12 months of benefits, depending on eligibility, with a maximum combined total of 48 months across both programs.
The VA has also been approving initial benefits automatically in some cases while reviewing whether individuals qualify for additional time.
“These court decisions will influence the educational choices of millions of people, and VA is working to ensure Veterans know what they qualify for and how to claim their benefits,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins.
Next Steps
The VA said it will notify veterans if they qualify for additional benefits or if further action is required.
Officials encouraged veterans to monitor communications from the agency as reviews are completed.
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