GI Bill benefit changes bring opportunity for veterans to earn MBA

Recent updates to GI Bill eligibility have opened a door for veterans looking to advance their careers. Following a 2024 Supreme Court decision, many veterans are now eligible for an additional 12 months of benefits, bringing their total tuition support to 48 months. This extension aligns perfectly with Boise State's Online MBA, which can be completed in as few as 12 months.

In the past, military members often had their tuition benefits capped at 36 months. However, the Supreme Court ruled that veterans with multiple qualifying periods of service (such as those who re-enlisted) are entitled to an additional 12 months of benefits. As of January 2025, the VA began granting the additional benefits to eligible veterans. For many, this extra year provides the exact amount of support needed to pursue a graduate degree without out-of-pocket tuition costs.

Boise State's Online MBA is uniquely positioned to help veterans take advantage of this new opportunity. The program is designed for working professionals and features:

• 12-month completion: A fast-track timeline option that fits within the new benefit extension.
• Flexible starts: Six start dates per year with seven-week courses.
• Specialized tracks: Emphasis areas include business analytics, construction management, healthcare leadership, and cyber operations.

The program consistently earns top honors from U.S. News & World Report, including rankings on the Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans and Best Online Graduate Business Programs lists. Beyond the rankings, the curriculum leverages the leadership and discipline veterans developed during their service, translating those skills into high-impact management expertise for the civilian workforce.

U.S. Army veteran Austin Overacre graduated from the online MBA in December 2025.

"I always wanted to earn a master's," he said. "I did some research and it looked like Boise State is very friendly from a veteran perspective. I already knew that from growing up here, but it was some additional confirmation. The MBA program is also ranked pretty high."

Overacre was able to apply what he learned and incorporate assignments into his work as a Project Manager for St. Luke's Health Systems in Twin Falls, Idaho. He looks forward to seeing where the degree helps take his career.

"With the flexibility the program offers with the online, self-structured approach, instead of having to be at a certain place at a certain time for lectures, you are able to see them in your own time and make your own schedule," he said. "Some people think of an online MBA and are scared of what that entails. Honestly, it was more enjoyable than my undergrad."

For those transitioning out of the military or long-time veterans who thought their benefits had run out, this change in federal policy may have cleared the path for an MBA.

Learn more about the Boise State Online MBA and your eligibility.

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