Using Your GI Bill for an Apprenticeship vs. a Traditional Degree

Key Takeaways

• The GI Bill can fund both traditional college degrees and VA-approved apprenticeships or on-the-job training programs.
• Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, college students typically receive full in-state tuition coverage plus a Monthly Housing Allowance, while apprentices receive a declining housing allowance but earn wages from day one.
• Apprenticeships often lead to faster entry into high-demand skilled trades with less student debt and immediate income.
• Traditional degrees may provide broader career flexibility and higher lifetime earnings in certain professional fields.
• Your ideal path depends on career goals, financial needs, learning style, and how you want to maximize your 36 months of benefits.

Understanding How the GI Bill Works

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans and service members. These benefits can cover:

• Tuition and fees
• Monthly Housing Allowance based on E-5 with dependents BAH rates
• Book and supply stipends

The Montgomery GI Bill works differently. Instead of tuition payments made directly to schools, veterans receive a flat monthly payment and pay tuition themselves. This distinction matters significantly when comparing apprenticeships to college.

Both programs allow benefits to be used for:

• Traditional degree programs at colleges and universities
• Non-college degree programs
• Apprenticeships and on-the-job training (OJT)

You can verify approved programs using the VA WEAMS Institution Search Tool.

Using Your GI Bill for a Traditional College Degree

What the GI Bill Covers

For veterans attending public, in-state institutions under the Post-9/11 GI Bill:

• Full tuition and mandatory fees are paid directly to the school.
• Monthly Housing Allowance equals the E-5 with dependents BAH rate for the school's ZIP code.
• Up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies.

For private or out-of-state schools, the GI Bill caps tuition, but veterans can use the Yellow Ribbon Program to help cover additional costs.

Financial Example: Full-Time College Student

Assume a veteran attends a public university where tuition is $10,000 per year.

• Tuition: $10,000 paid directly by VA
• Housing Allowance: Example ZIP code BAH at $2,400 per month x 9 months = $21,600
• Books: Up to $1,000 annually

Total annual value: Approximately $32,600.

However, most students do not start earning meaningful professional wages until after graduation, typically 3 to 4 years later.

Career Outcomes for Degree Holders

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with bachelor’s degrees earn significantly more over a lifetime compared to those with only a high school diploma. Certain professional fields such as engineering, healthcare, and finance require degrees for entry.

Degrees offer:

• Broader career mobility
• Eligibility for graduate education
• Access to licensed professions

But they often require delayed earning and may result in underemployment if the degree does not align with labor market demand.

Using Your GI Bill for an Apprenticeship or On-the-Job Training

How GI Bill Payments Work for Apprenticeships

Under approved apprenticeship or OJT programs, the GI Bill pays a Monthly Housing Allowance that decreases over time. Meanwhile, your employer pays you wages that typically increase as your skill level rises.

For Post-9/11 GI Bill users:

• First 6 months: 100% of applicable MHA
• Second 6 months: 80% of MHA
• Months 13 to 18: 60% of MHA
• Months 19 to 24: 40% of MHA

Details are outlined by the VA Apprenticeship and OJT guidance.

Financial Example: Skilled Trade Apprenticeship

Assume:

• Starting wage: $22 per hour
• Year 1 income: About $45,000
• Year 3 income after progression: About $60,000
• MHA (first 6 months at $2,400 per month): $14,400

Unlike college students, apprentices earn full-time income immediately. Even though the housing benefit decreases, wage progression offsets the reduction.

Common VA-Approved Apprenticeship Fields

• Electrician
• Plumber
• HVAC technician
• Law enforcement
• Firefighter
• Advanced manufacturing

National apprenticeship data from Apprenticeship.gov shows that many programs result in industry-recognized credentials and long-term wage growth.

Side-by-Side Comparison: GI Bill Degree vs Apprenticeship

FactorTraditional DegreeApprenticeship or OJTTuition CoverageFull in-state public tuitionNo tuition, employer-sponsored trainingMonthly Housing Allowance100% for duration of enrollmentDeclines every 6 monthsIncome During TrainingTypically minimal or part-timeFull-time wages from day oneTime to Career Entry3 to 4 yearsImmediate employmentCredentialBachelor’s or advanced degreeJourneyman or industry certificationLong-Term EarningsHigher in certain professionsStrong earnings in skilled tradesFlexibilityBroader industry mobilitySpecialized trade expertise

Which Path Maximizes Your GI Bill Benefits?

Choose a Degree If:

• Your career requires licensure or advanced education.
• You want leadership or management tracks in white-collar sectors.
• You are comfortable delaying full-time income for long-term upside.

Choose an Apprenticeship If:

• You prefer hands-on learning.
• You want to earn immediately.
• You are entering high-demand skilled trades.
• You want to avoid classroom-heavy environments.

Hybrid Pathways: Combining Apprenticeship and Degree

Some veterans strategically split their 36 months of eligibility. For example:

• Use 24 months for an apprenticeship.
• Reserve 12 months for advanced certifications or a related degree.

Many technical careers now offer associate or bachelor’s programs that complement licensure in trades such as construction management or industrial technology. This layered approach can increase long-term mobility without exhausting benefits upfront.

How to Find and Vet VA-Approved Apprenticeships

Step 1: Confirm Program Approval

Search using the VA WEAMS tool to ensure the employer and program are approved.

Step 2: Evaluate Wage Progression

Request a written wage schedule. Strong programs clearly outline incremental raises tied to competencies.

Step 3: Review Credential Outcomes

Confirm whether the program leads to journeyman status, state licensure, or nationally recognized certification.

Step 4: Assess Long-Term Demand

Use BLS Occupational Outlook data to verify job growth projections.

Common Misconceptions About Using Your GI Bill

• Myth: Apprenticeships waste GI Bill benefits. In reality, you are receiving supplemental income while building a career.
• Myth: You cannot switch paths. You can use remaining entitlement toward another approved program.
• Myth: Degrees automatically guarantee higher pay. Earnings depend heavily on major and labor demand.

Strategic Questions to Ask Before Deciding

• What specific job do I want in five years?
• Does that job legally require a degree?
• What is the expected starting salary versus apprenticeship wages?
• Am I optimizing for immediate income or long-term credential leverage?
• How much of my 36 months am I willing to allocate?

Your GI Bill is one of the most valuable benefits you have earned. The smartest choice is not about prestige. It is about aligning your education path with measurable labor market outcomes, financial stability, and personal strengths.

Frequently Asked Questions about Using the GI Bill for College vs. Apprenticeships

Can you use the GI Bill for both college and an apprenticeship?

Yes. You have up to 36 months of GI Bill benefits that you can split between a traditional degree, non-college programs, and VA-approved apprenticeships or on-the-job training, as long as each program is approved by the VA.

How does the Monthly Housing Allowance differ for college and apprenticeships?

For full-time college, you usually receive 100% of the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) the whole time you are enrolled. For apprenticeships and on-the-job training, the MHA starts at 100% and then drops every six months while your wages from the employer are expected to rise.

Which option pays more in the short term: college or apprenticeship?

In the short term, an apprenticeship usually pays more because you earn full-time wages right away and also receive a housing allowance. In college, you get tuition, housing, and book support, but most of your income is limited to part-time work or side jobs.

When is a traditional degree the better use of your GI Bill?

A degree is usually better if your target career requires a license, certification, or advanced education, such as engineering, nursing, teaching, or many business and finance roles. It can also help if you want long-term flexibility to move into management or graduate school later.

When is an apprenticeship the better use of your GI Bill?

An apprenticeship can be better if you prefer hands-on work, want to start earning right away, and plan to enter a skilled trade such as electrician, plumber, HVAC technician, firefighter, or law enforcement, where structured on-the-job training leads to strong wages and a clear career ladder.

Can you start with an apprenticeship and later use the GI Bill for a degree?

Yes. You can use part of your 36 months for an apprenticeship and then apply your remaining entitlement to a degree or certificate later, as long as each program is VA-approved and you still have benefits left.