Can I Use the GI Bill® or Veterans Benefits for Woodworking Trade School?
We are proud to be recognized at the highest level as a Veteran-Friendly School by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
Can I Use the GI Bill® or Veterans Benefits for a Woodworking Trade School?
Yes. At SBWI, veterans can use their benefits to help cover tuition for the Wood Design program.
Who This Question Is For
Veterans transitioning into civilian careers
Service members planning their next career step
Military spouses and dependents exploring training options
Anyone curious about how VA education benefits can apply to SBWI
How the GI Bill® Works for SBWI
The GI Bill® and Veterans Readiness & Employment isn’t limited to traditional four-year colleges or degrees. You can use it for non-college degree programs, like our Wood Design Diploma.
At SBWI:
You must apply and be accepted to the Wood Design: Furniture Making program.
You then apply to the VA to activate your GI Bill® benefits.
SBWI certifies your enrollment with the VA so benefits can be applied toward your program.
Once benefits are activated and certified, the VA will pay on your behalf according to your eligibility.
What GI Bill® Benefits May Cover
The specifics of what your GI Bill® benefits cover are determined by the VA and depend on:
The type of GI Bill benefit you qualify for
How much active-duty service you’ve completed
Your enrollment status and clock hours in school
VA benefits may include:
Tuition assistance for the approved training program
A housing allowance if your program qualifies under Post-9/11 GI Bill rules (based on your enrollment intensity and location)
A supplies stipend for non-college degree programs (e.g., up to $1,000 per year under Post-9/11 GI Bill rules)
Reimbursement for certain licensing or certification tests
Exact amounts and eligibility vary, and the VA will determine your specific payments once you apply and activate your benefits.
Why Veterans Choose Trade School
Veterans often find woodworking trade school a good fit for several reasons:
It’s skills-focused and hands-on, which aligns with many veterans’ strengths.
You’re training for a specific career path, not just earning credits.
The pace and structure can be more practical than traditional academic programs.
There is a community of support for woodworking warriors.
Woodworking trade school, in particular, teaches the kind of practical problem-solving and disciplined workmanship that many veterans appreciate.
What the Reality Looks Like at a Trade School
At SBWI, the Wood Design: Furniture Making program is a 40-week training experience combining classroom learning and hands-on shop time.
Veterans work alongside civilian students from all walks of life, gaining practical woodworking skills while carving their path towards a career in the trades. We are here to support you, and we are proudly recognized as a Gold Level Veteran-Friendly School by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
We share meals once a month and there is plenty of fun to be had at the shop. The surrounding area is great for outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. Adrian is a small town with a vibrant arts and cultural scene. It is and a little over an hour’s drive from the larger cities of Detroit and Toledo, which have major sports teams, theaters, and other attractions.
To Recap
GI Bill benefits can be used for SBWI’s woodworking trade school.
You must be accepted, apply for benefits, and have SBWI certify enrollment with the VA.
Benefits may cover tuition, housing allowance, and supplies depending on your eligibility and the benefit type.
Trade school is a valid career training path for veterans and our veteran community at SBWI is strong.
Ready to Apply?
There is no fee to apply to our program, and come for a tour to learn even more about whether this program is right for you.
If you have any questions, reach out to our Vice President of Enrollment who can walk you through all the above, and more.