VA GI Bill® Education Benefits


The GI Bill is available for training at Non-College Degree (NCD) institutions, including GIA. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs evaluates each school’s programs individually.

GIA On-Campus programs certified for Montgomery Bill (GI Bill) or Post 9/11 benefits:

  • Graduate Gemologist, full time on campus (26 instructional weeks): Carlsbad or New York
  • ​Graduate Diamonds, full time on campus (7 instructional weeks): Carlsbad or New York

  • Graduate Colored Stones, full time on campus (19 instructional weeks): Carlsbad or New York

  • Jewelry Design & Technology, full time on campus (26 instructional weeks): Carlsbad or New York
  • ​Graduate Jeweler, full time on campus (26 instructional weeks): Carlsbad Campus Only
  • Jewelry Design, full time on campus (9 instructional weeks): Carlsbad or New York

  • Comprehensive CAD/CAM for Jewelry, full time on campus (7 instructional weeks): Carlsbad or New York

GIA’s Distance Education, eLearning, and Lab Classes are NOT eligible for VA benefits at this time, as evaluated by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) for Non-College Degree Programs (NCD)

VA will pay up to $26,042.81 towards the net costs of tuition and fees. Depending on the amount of eligibility remaining with the VA, the veterans account may not have the full amount of eligibility. Any shortage of funds received by the VA, the student is responsible to pay the remaining amount. The annual amount of $26,042.81 can only be awarded once per military fiscal year (August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2022). Tuition and fee payments will be waived up to 90 days from the date that GIA certifies the student's enrollment following receipt of a certificate of eligibility or a valid VAF 28-1905. Veterans may also qualify for a monthly housing allowance. More information is available on the https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11/ website.

If there is a change in your enrollment status, which may result in an overpayment of tuition and fees. In accordance with section 1019 of Public Law 116-315, VA will not collect these debts from you. Instead, VA will collect these amounts from GIA. In turn, GIA may require you to pay any outstanding balance for tuition and fees and may contact you regarding this debt. It is important that you work with us to resolve this matter. You will still be responsible for repaying any debts associated with the monthly housing allowance and the books and supplies stipend to VA.

Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30)

The VA will pay a monthly stipend directly to a student with VA Chapter 30 education benefits for the duration of their class when enrolled in an eligible program. VA benefits are separate from any other type of financial assistance you may be eligible to receive.

VA Chapter 30 education benefit money is sent directly to you after you start class and is not available to use for tuition, so you are responsible to pay tuition in full on or before your first day of class. You may wish to apply for federal financial aid (student loans and grants) or for a GIA scholarship to help pay your tuition. Use this link to apply for federal financial aid for GIA programs or for information about GIA scholarship applications: www.gia.edu/gem-education-financial-aid. For additional information about applying for federal financial aid (grants and low-interest student loans), call 800 421 7250, ext. 4005.

Montgomery Bill benefits expire ten years after your discharge date: confirm your eligibility with the VA office that maintains your records. For more information, go to: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Federal Financial Aid or GIA Scholarships

You may also apply for federal financial aid (student loans and grants) or for a GIA scholarship to help pay your tuition. Use this link to access information about how to apply for federal financial aid or a GIA scholarship: www.gia.edu/gem-education-financial-aid

Other VA Programs

You may qualify for other VA programs to help with your GIA tuition, such as Reserve Educational Assistance (REAP), Survivors & Dependents Assistance (DEA), Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP), Transfer of Post-9/11 Benefits to Dependents (TEB), and others. Check with the VA for eligibility.

How to Apply for VA Benefits

Apply for Montgomery Bill or Post 9/11 education benefits at www.gibill.va.gov. Click on Education & Training and choose “Apply for Benefits” for information about how to complete and submit an application (online, in person or by mail). When approved, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility.

How to Apply and Enroll at GIA

Send a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility( COE), a copy of DD-214 and Prior Education form for Veterans with copies of your transcript(s) to Office of Student Financial Assistance to financialaid@gia.edu. GIA evaluates the previous education and training of all veterans and eligible persons applying for veterans’ benefits. If credit is warranted, the course will be shortened and the Veterans Administration will be notified.

You may enroll in your GIA program when your Certificate of Eligibility is issued and a copy sent to GIA. Providing documents to GIA does not automatically enroll you in courses. You must call 800 421 7250, Ext 4001 or contact us to enroll. Please be sure to mention VA benefits in your inquiry.

After you enroll, and in advance of the start date of your program, GIA confirms with the VA that you are enrolled in an eligible program and certifies your enrollment. The VA will then authorize payment to GIA towards your student account. 30 days prior to start of your program we suggest that you check your current enrollment status on the eBenefits link at http://www.gibill.va.gov

Any questions regarding about your VA benefits, please contact the VA office directly.

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 Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.