Kate Horrell is an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC)® and personal financial educator who helps the military community make the most of their pay and benefits. She shares the most up-to-date information in understandable terms, and highlights how rules, programs and laws impact our personal finances. With over 10 years working with thousands of military families, she understands the concerns of currently serving, retired and veteran families.
Kate earned a bachelor’s in history from the University of Maryland. She is currently studying for her Chartered Financial Consultant (CFC) designation and preparing to take the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam. She has a professional background in financial counseling, mortgage banking and taxes. She also volunteers with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and is a member of the Military Officers of America Currently Serving Spouses Advisory Board. You can find her at KateHorrell.com.
Post-9/11 and Forever GI Bill benefits include a monthly housing allowance (MHA) for students. While often referred to as a separate bill, the Forever GI Bill is a group of adjustments to the Post-9/11 GI Bill and not a separate educational program. There are three factors that help the VA determine your MHA: 2024 MHA […]
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The Post-9/11 GI Bill monthly housing allowance (MHA) rate for full-time students enrolled in an online college, school or distance-learning program is $1,177.50 per month until July 31, 2025. Even though BAH rates are effective as of Jan. 1, 2024, the effective date for Post-9/11 GI Bill MHA adjustments is the beginning of the academic […]
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Did you know that many states offer free tuition to spouses and dependents of qualifying veterans? These states usually offer tuition waiver programs to dependent spouses and children of disabled or deceased veterans, but in some cases, dependents of other veterans might qualify. Below you’ll find qualifying criteria for each state’s programs, according to each […]
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The short answer is no. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the IRS, education benefits – including tuition fees, housing and books – are not taxable, and you do not need to report them on your tax return as income. “Payments you receive for education, training, or subsistence under any law administered by […]
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The Department of Veterans Affairs offers the Forever GI Bill STEM extension to encourage veterans to pursue fields that may require more resources than 36 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill assistance. As a provision of the Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, which created the Forever GI Bill, the VA opened the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM […]
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The GI Bill is a valuable education benefit for military service members and veterans. This tax-free benefit can help you pay for your tuition, books and even housing costs. Here’s what you need to know about using these benefits. Determine Your Eligibility First, confirm that you are eligible for GI Bill benefits. The Department of […]
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Can you transfer your GI Bill benefits to your spouse or children? Yes. In June 2009, the Department of Defense outlined the rules for transferring your GI Bill benefit to your dependents, and then updated them in 2018. Here’s what you need to know. Who Is Eligible to Transfer GI Bill Benefits? According to DOD, […]
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Former spouses of service members who divorce may continue to receive some military benefits, including Tricare coverage. The 20/20/20 rule refers to the requirements a divorced military spouse must meet to retain these benefits. 20/20/20 Benefit Requirements The Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act protects some benefits of eligible former military spouses. According to Military […]
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Exhausted your federal GI Bill or transferred it to a dependent? You may still be eligible for education benefits –including free tuition – even if you have no federal benefits left. Many states offer free tuition benefits for veterans who meet certain criteria. We’ve made a list of them so that you don’t have to. […]
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Qualified service members who choose a career in military medicine may be eligible for up to 100% medical school tuition coverage. Additionally, military medical practitioners don’t have to purchase malpractice insurance. These perks can make military medicine an attractive option for students considering medical school. If that’s you, here’s what you need to know. Paying […]
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