Room and board isn't part of the "tuition and fees" at most universities. The new GI bill benefit will cover the tution costs fully (usually there's another few hundred in various fees too) at the start of the semester, and the housing benefit (an average another $1,000 a month on top of that) will get paid out monthly.  

If you want to use it for on-campus housing, you can. If you want to use it for a private, off-campus apartment, you can. But there's no guarantee the housing allowance will cover all your living costs. The only promise is you won't have to pay any tuition.

Good question -- I'm still trying to get a lot of answers about dual military couples, so stay tuned. I'll get back to you once I know what's going on.

UPDATE: That was easier than I thought, although I still don't have answer. Those transferability questions are still up-in-the-air, so until the DoD sets outlines for their use we won't know whether folks can use their own GI bill and their spouses' too. Keep an eye on announcements about transferability coming out of the DoD.

Under the changes, you must have served at least 90 days active duty after Sept. 11 to receive new benefits, and you must not have already exhausted your old GI Bill benefits.

If you're still serving, you might be able to receive new benefits, but I doubt it. You'll have to check with the VA and DoD on your specifics.

If you're already out, then I don't see any way you'll qualify.

Nope -- the only way you'll lose out on all the "Chapter 33" benefits is if you completely use up your old GI Bill benefits.

This year, you'll see about a 20 percent bump in your old GI bill, but won't receive any of the housing or books stipend. Then, starting fall 2009, you'll get the new benefits: Full tuition at a four-year state school (for you it'll only be three years) plus those living and books stipends.

Also, you may see a refund next fall if your 2008 bills are higher than expected (I outlined that over here). But the bottom line is if you're financially set to go to college this fall, there's no reason to change those plans now.

Only a few high-demand Army MOSes are eligible for the transfer right now. If you're one of those, and you give your wife the benefits, it'll work just as if you used them.

If she uses one year, you'll have only three years of the new benefits left. If she uses all four, you'll have no benefit.

The new policy allows four years of college total, however you want to divide it over multiple family members.

We covered the $1,200 enrollment program and plus-up over at this post -- basically, that money will come back to troops, but it hasn't been decided how yet.

What's the enlistment incentive you received?

Hang tight -- I'm trying to track down a better answer for you.

OK -- here's what I got from my contacts over at the VBA education service: 

The $600 dollar buy-up is not payable for training pursued in an institution of higher learning under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33.) However, if you are pursuing other training (such as OJT/Apprenticeship, or a certificate program), and you have eligibility under chapter 30,  then you can receive benefits from your $600 buy-up.

The Army college fund will transfer over to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Individuals eligible for the college fund will receive payment as an increase to their monthly housing allowance on a prorated basis.

So it sounds like the buy up won't help you unless you're looking at something other than a traditional college degree, but the enlistment incentive will be extra money in your pocket each month. That's good news.

I believe you'll get 90 percent, but there are some provisions for early discharges due to medical issues. Check with the VA to make sure you won't get more than just 90 percent.

According to the VA, the two programs will still remain separate, so the chapter 31 benefits won't include the housing stipend. But depending on the circumstances, troops may be eligible for both programs.

The department hasn't developed any guidelines for which program will benefit affected troops more, so talk to your vocational rehab counselor to crunch the numbers and see what gets you the most money.