FACT SHEET FOR VETERANS: GI Bill® Benefits for Apprenticeship Programs

Have you a served in the military and now looking to start an exciting new career?

The Federal Government has made available a number of resources to assist service members and veterans into high-skill, good paying jobs in Registered Apprenticeship.

FACT SHEET FOR VETERANS: GI Bill® Benefits for
Apprenticeship Programs
If you are eligible for GI Bill benefits, you may use those
benefits while you are training in an apprenticeship
program. Apprenticeship training is completed while
working for an employer. 

Apprenticeship program
participants receive wages from an employer and GI Bill
benefits at the same time.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Apprenticeship Program. 

Eligible
Veterans pursuing training under an apprenticeship
program will receive a monthly housing allowance
(MHA) in addition to their apprenticeship wages. The
MHA issued will be a percentage of the Department
of Defense Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an
E-5 with dependents (based on the location of the
employer) as follows:
• 100 percent of the applicable MHA during the first
six months of training
• 80 percent of the applicable MHA during the second
six months of training
• 60 percent of the applicable MHA during the third
six months of training
• 40 percent of the applicable MHA during the fourth
six months of training
• 20 percent of the applicable MHA during the
remainder of the training 

Additionally, Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients will receive
up to $83 per month for books and supplies. The
monthly housing allowance and books and supplies
stipend will be further prorated based on the Veteran’s
eligibility percentage.
Veterans already participating in a Registered
Apprenticeship at the time of application may be
eligible to receive up to 12 months of retroactive MHA
and books and supplies stipend. 

Veterans with a service-connected disability may
also be eligible for custom apprenticeship programs
approved by a VA Vocational Rehabilitation and
Employment (VR&E) Counselor. Apply for VR&E benefits
to determine whether you are eligible. If you are found
entitled to the program, you may also be able to take
advantage of apprenticeship opportunities. To apply,
fill out VA Form 1900 for VR&E Benefits (found on
eBenefits.va.gov).
• VR&E involves a specific training program with any
employer where a specific training plan is prepared
by a VR& E counselor prior to training to ensure
that the participant is working towards the full
skills of a journeyman in that occupation.
• You will be paid apprenticeship wages by the
employer and receive a monthly subsistence
allowance of the difference between the
journeyman wage and the training wage, not
including overtime, but not more than the VR&E
Subsistence Allowance rate allowed ($519.77
without dependents).
• Commonly lasts from a minimum of six months to
a maximum of 24 months.
Payment Rates for all other GI Bill programs.
For all other GI Bill programs, including the
Montgomery GI Bill, the payment rates are as follows:
• 75 percent of the full-time GI Bill rate for the first
six months of training
• 55 percent of the full-time GI Bill rate for the
second six months of training
• 35 percent of the full-time GI Bill rate for the
remainder of the training program 

Learn more about the GI Bill:
www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
Apply for Benefits. To determine if you are eligible to receive GI Bill® benefits, visit
http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/apply.asp.