What Is STEM Scholarship
STEM Scholarship is a 9-month extension of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits available to veterans who complete an approved science, technology, engineering, or mathematics degree program. This benefit provides an additional monthly housing allowance (BAH) payment after your standard GI Bill entitlement expires, but only if you're enrolled full-time in an eligible STEM program at an approved school.
Eligibility and Requirements
To qualify, you must meet three conditions. First, you must have unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits remaining. Second, you must graduate from an approved bachelor's degree program in a STEM field designated by the VA. Third, you must be enrolled in a graduate STEM program or pursuing a teaching certificate in a STEM subject at an accredited institution within six months of graduation.
The VA maintains an official list of approved STEM degrees updated annually. If your program isn't listed, your school's certifying official can request approval. The benefit provides BAH at the full-time rate, not tuition payments, for up to 9 months as long as you remain enrolled full-time.
How It Works With Other Benefits
- Coordinate with your disability rating: STEM Scholarship runs parallel to, not instead of, your VA disability benefits. If you're rated for a service-connected condition, you continue receiving compensation while using this educational benefit.
- Post-9/11 GI Bill exhaustion: You can only access STEM Scholarship after your standard 36-month Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement is completely used up. The VA tracks your remaining entitlement in your VONAPP account.
- Enrollment verification: Your school's VA certifying official must verify full-time enrollment each month for you to receive the monthly BAH payment. Part-time enrollment disqualifies you from this benefit.
- Nine-month cap: This extension ends after 9 months, regardless of whether your program is still ongoing. Plan your graduate program timeline accordingly.
Common Questions
- Do I lose STEM Scholarship if I defer enrollment? Yes. You must enroll within six months of completing your bachelor's degree. Any gap longer than six months disqualifies you from the extension.
- Can I use STEM Scholarship while working? Only if you maintain full-time student status. The VA defines full-time as 12 or more credit hours per semester (requirements vary by school). If your employer certification shows less than full-time attendance, the VA will deny the BAH payment for that month.
- Does this benefit help with my disability rating if I'm service-connected? No. STEM Scholarship is purely an educational stipend and does not affect your VA disability compensation. It's a separate program under the Post-9/11 GI Bill framework.
Related Concepts
Understanding STEM Scholarship is easier when you know how it fits into the broader GI Bill structure. Review these related terms for a complete picture: