Chapter 33 VA Benefits: How much money can you get for books and supplies in 2025?

Whether you're enrolling in your first semester or heading back for another round, using the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) can make a huge difference when it comes to affording school. Beyond tuition and housing, one often overlooked benefit is the money available for books and supplies.

For the 2024-2025 academic year (August 1, 2024 - July 31, 2025), the VA will cover up to $1,000 per year in book and supply costs for qualifying students. That's money paid directly to you-typically at the start of each term-to help with essentials like textbooks, lab materials, or even notebooks and software.

How the numbers work

If you're enrolled in a college or university degree program, the VA calculates your benefit at $41.67 per credit hour, up to 24 credits. Hit that 24-credit mark while qualifying for 100% of your GI Bill benefits? That's the full $1,000 in your pocket for the year.

For those in vocational or non-college degree programs, the setup is slightly different. Instead of per credit hour, you'll receive up to $83 per month, again based on your eligibility percentage.

The key detail here: this benefit is prorated. So if you qualify for 60% of GI Bill coverage, you'll receive 60% of the book stipend, too.

What it doesn't cover

It's worth noting that if you're enrolled in flight training or correspondence courses, the book and supply stipend doesn't apply. The VA excludes these programs from this particular benefit, so you'll want to plan accordingly.

To get a clearer picture of what you might receive, try using the GI Bill Comparison Tool on the VA's website. It breaks down expected payments based on your school and benefit percentage.

Understanding how these benefits work can help you better budget for the year ahead-and make sure you're not leaving money unused. Every dollar counts, especially when textbooks can run hundreds a semester.