Education benefits like tuition assistance, the GI Bill, credit for military experience, and credit-by-exam are designed to help service members and veterans reach their full potential. Accessing these military education benefits is often difficult or confusing, and we’re here to help. We provide information, advice, and resources to help you navigate the ins and outs of the military education system.
This blog features the latest military education news and real life education experiences of military veterans and current members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve.
June 26, 2009
Some of our readers have been asking for guidance on how to apply for VA education benefits. The application process for the Post-9/11 GI Bill is actually no different from other recent versions. But there are some subtle details you should be aware of.
I have posted a factsheet with step-by-step instructions and helpful details on the process - The Post-9/11 GI Bill Application Process.
June 25, 2009
By Terry Howell
The new Post 9/11 GI Bill begins paying benefits in August. As the new GI Bill moves forward servicemembers and veterans will be required to choose the benefits package (Montgomery GI Bill or Post 9/11 GI Bill) that best suits their needs.
Military.com created a GI Bill Calculator to help determine the cash value of your benefits and help you compare the old and new benefits based on your specific profile and declared needs. But the choice between GI Bills involves more than money, making the wrong choice can result in lost benefits and derailed education and career goals.
Here are some of the things you must consider before making your decision:
Th GI Bill Calculator results are unofficial, the tool is designed to aid in the decision process, not to replace VA representatives and local school veteran advisors. No matter what you choose the decision irrevocable - choose wisely.
Be sure to speak directly to a VA representative or the veterans program administrator at your school before you make an irrevocable decision. You can reach the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 or through the VA Question & Answer portal.
June 17, 2009
By Terry Howell
This week Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) announced her plan to introduce legislation that would expand Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to include job training programs that are currently included in the Montgomery GI Bill and other previous versions of the GI Bill.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill currently offers up to 36 months of benefits for education programs offered through degree granting colleges and universities, but it does not provide for job training opportunities except for certain veterans who are eligible under the MGIB. This excludes all veterans who are not eligible for the MGIB from using these programs.
According to a June 17 letter written by Ms. DeLauro, “ten percent of veterans taking advantage of the MGIB use the available benefits for education other than college or graduate school, including for on the job training and apprenticeship programs.” This means that as many as ten percent of Post-9/11 eligible veterans will not be able to use the new GI Bill to reach their career goals.
“This [legislation] will provide those veterans who do not pursue an academic course of study opportunities to advance in their jobs, whether they are with private sector companies, local law enforcement or otherwise, just as previous veterans have,” wrote Ms. DeLauro.
Ms. DeLauro is currently looking for co-sponsors for her bill. If you would like to see changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill like this contact your elected officials and ask them to join Ms. DeLauro’s efforts and co-sponsor this bill.
 Get more than $49,000 a year for school. Request info about GI Bill approved programs from military and veteran-friendly schools and start earning your degree today. |
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June 17, 2009
By Terry Howell
The Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009, or so called War Spending Bill, recently passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and awaits President Obama's signature. The bill includes a key provision that will have a significant impact on surviving children of military servicemembers. Under the provision, Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits will be extended to the children of servicemembers of the armed forces who die while on active duty.
If signed into law, surviving children will be given access to benefits which include up to 100 percent tuition and fee coverage, a monthly housing stipend averaging more than $1,200, and an annual book and supply stipend of up to $1,000.
These benefits are a vast improvement to those provided under the VA’s Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Program, which provides education and training opportunities to all eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers up to 36 months of benefits for education programs offered through degree granting colleges and universities. This differs from the more liberal DEA program which pays up to $950 a month for up to 45 months of education benefits and may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training.
Get more than $49,000 a year for school. Request info about GI Bill approved programs from military and veteran-friendly schools and start earning your degree today. |
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With congress opening the door to the Post-9/11 GI Bill to more beneficiaries, some may want to know how much it will cost the tax payers and what it means for those who are already using the existing DEA program.
It is still early in the process and many details are not available yet and this provision is subject to change. Stay tuned, we will be sure to pass along the details as they surface.
June 11, 2009
By Terry Howell
Get it in writing – a sound piece of advice for any deal. But maybe not something you would normally associate with getting advice or information from the VA. However, that is exactly what a veteran's program administrator recent told me, "make sure to tell veterans to keep a written record of their interactions with the Department of Veterans Affairs."
Why? The new Post-9/11 GI Bill is very confusing, not just to you, but to nearly everyone involved with the process; from school certifying officials to the VA phone representatives themselves. Everyday some new piece of information about the process trickles out and not everyone gets the word. This can result in you, the veteran, making decisions based on incorrect information and possibly missing out on the benefits you deserve.
So my advice is to keep a record of every interaction you have with the VA. Write down the time, date, and name of the person you spoke to, in addition to details of your question and the answer they provided. The point here isn’t to document everything so you can “fight the VA.” The point is to help you and the VA if it turns out you made a poor choice between GI Bill benefit programs based on incorrect information.
Get more than $49,000 a year for school. Request info about GI Bill approved programs from military and veteran-friendly schools and start earning your degree today. |
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Making an Appeal - If you find that you were given incorrect information which caused you to miss out on the full benefit of your GI Bill you may have grounds to request to switch programs or recover lost benefits by seeking “equitable relief.”
Equitable relief is a type of appeal you can make when you have been misinformed by VA staff. In years past, VA would get somewhere around 10 such appeals a year for education related benefits. Only a few cases involved situations where a counselor gave veterans inaccurate information which caused them to be denied benefits. Due to the confusion over the new GI Bill, this number will likely increase in the coming years. The equitable relief process requires documentation to support your claim. According to the VA, veterans seldom have the required documentation needed to substantiate their claims resulting in their appeals being denied.
Insider Advice - If you are going to seek equitable relief, have the name, title, and date you spoke to a VA counselor. Since all VA phone representatives use an alias, for privacy reasons, submitting your questions online and keeping a printed record of the answers is a great way to ensure you have the required paper trail in case you later find that you were given inaccurate or misleading information. You can use the VA’s online Question and Answer section to ask questions and get documented answers.
Your GI Bill benefit choice is irrevocable. If you base your decision on what turns out to be incorrect (VA provided) information, you may have a legal claim to switch programs. If you don’t take the time to document your interaction with the VA you may lose your appeal before you even get started.
For all you "policy wonks," you can download the official copy of the Regulatory Citation which covers Equitable Relief.
May 29, 2009
By Terry Howell
I have been writing for some time now about the good, bad, and the ugly of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. If you have been reading this blog long, you know there is more to celebrate about this program than there is to lament. But, over the last few months I have focused quite a bit on the program's short comings. Today we'll take a look at both ends of the spectrum - where the program misses the mark and where it's right on target.
I recently wrote about the affects semantics are having on California veteran’s and their tuition coverage under the new GI Bill. This story was also covered in the SF Chronicle. The Chronicle’s article, GI Bill's Wording Costs State's Student Vets, personalizes the issue and tells how three individuals are being affected by this snafu over the words “tuition and fees.”
The article quotes veteran Darren Matt telling how the limitations will keep him from using the new education benefits, "So I still get nothing. There's a huge group of people who are going to be excluded from this,” said Matt, who is seeking an MBA. "I can't imagine that was the intent of the bill."
The article ends with a quote by Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Ca., "I'm hoping that we don't have to go through the whole legislative fix," he said. "This is no more than a bureaucratic snafu." Thompson is currently working on legislation to fix the issue.
- True.
Get more than $49,000 a year for school. Request info about GI Bill approved programs from military and veteran-friendly schools and start earning your degree today. |
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On the other end of the spectrum is a story about how the new Post-9/11 GI Bill is opening doors for veterans who would like to earn an Ivy League degree. Prestigious schools like Columbia University, Cornell University, and Dartmouth College are all volunteering to participate in a Post-9/11 GI Bill program known as the Yellow Ribbon Program.
In simplified terms, the YRP waives all or part of a veteran's tuition costs that exceed the in-state tuition rate, giving veterans the chance to attend more expensive private schools and not incur out-of-pocket expenses or student loan debt.
While on the whole, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is a great benefit to most veterans, there are several examples of how the Post-9/11 opens doors for some while keeping them closed for others.
Veterans who feel this bill should be improved need to contact their elected officials and let them know how they feel.
Read the full articles mentioned above:
May 15, 2009
Yet Another Reason to Take Your Time
By Terry Howell
Over the last few months I have been encouraging our readers to weigh their GI Bill options carefully before choosing to switch from the Montgomery GI Bill to the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. Now there is yet another reason you may want to hold off on making the switch – the chance to get 12 more months of education benefits if you use up your MGIB first.
The Department of Veterans Affairs recently posted the following on their GI Bill website:
For individuals eligible for MGIB-AD
Normally, your months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill will be equal to the number of months of entitlement you have remaining under the MGIB-AD. However, if you use all of your MGIB-AD benefits, then you may be entitled to a maximum of 12 additional months of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. [Giving you a total of 48 months of education benefits]
Many veterans don’t realize this means they may actually be better off to use up their MGIB before applying for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Here is an example:
Active duty veterans that are qualified for both the MGIB and Post-9/11 and have used some (lets say 26 months) of their MGIB may be able to extend their education benefit by 12 months - but - only if they first exhaust all of their remaining MGIB benefit before electing to receive Post-9/11 benefits.
However, if veterans switch to the Post-911 GI Bill before using all 36 months of the MGIB, they will only get the equivalent of the remaining months of their MGIB credited to their Post-9/11 account and will not be eligible to extend the benefit to 48 months.
Jack Mordente, director of Veterans Affairs at Southern Connecticut State University offers another scenario:
"I have a veteran who has 6 months of GI Bill and 4 semesters to graduate. He can use the 6 months to exhaust his Chapter 30 [MGIB]. With our 9 month academic year he will be paid 3 months over his 36 months. He then transfers to Chapter 33 [Post-9/11 GI Bill] and gets 9 more months and finishes his degree."
Get more than $49,000 a year for school. Request info about GI Bill approved programs from military and veteran-friendly schools and start earning your degree today. |
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On May 11th the VA encouraged anyone considering enrolling in the new GI Bill "to get educated about it first" because it is an irrevocable decision.
The five questions suggested:
1. which benefits pay more?
2. what tier of benefits am I eligible for under new bill?
3. what type of training do I want to pursue?
4. how long do I expect to take to use the benefit?
5. do I plan to attend school less that fulltime?
Jack suggests you add two more questions to the VA's five:
1. How many months do you have left on your current GI Bill?
2. How many semesters do you have left to graduate?
You may find that it is best to wait until you have used your 36 months of MGIB before applying for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.
No matter what you decide, talk to a VA representative to make sure you are eligible for extending your benefits another 12 months. You can reach the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1.
May 10, 2009
By Terry Howell
Several readers have asked "what's the big deal about choosing the Post-9/11 GI Bill over the Montgomery GI Bill." In fact, one reader asked, “I don't understand this. How can another program be better for me if I want to attend college? Isn't the reason for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill to pay for any state tuition of my choice?”
Many veterans think this is a no-brainer, but there are several factors that can severely limit your GI Bill education benefits. And, since you cannot change your mind once you make the switch, choosing carefully is your best option.
As a friend of mine likes to say, "the devil's in the details." Well, here are some of those details - reasons to choose carefully:
I am not the only one warning servicemembers and veterans about making an uneducated decision about their education benefits. Department of Veterans Affairs officials are also encouraging anyone considering enrolling in the Post-9/11 GI Bill program to learn the facts and make sure the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the right fit for them.
The VA recommends getting answers to the following before changing programs:
1) Which benefit will pay more?
2) What tier of benefit am I eligible for under the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
3) What type of training do I want to pursue?
4) How long do I expect to take to use the benefit?
5) Do I plan to attend school less than full-time?
The Bottom Line
If you plan to attend classroom based courses at a state operated college on a more than half-time basis - or - you intend to transfer your benefits to a family member, then the Post 9/11 GI Bill most likely fits your needs perfectly. Otherwise, take your time - don't be in a rush.
Learn more about comparing the GI Bill programs.
If you have questions about your personal eligibility or need more assistance, please call the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 or visit the VA's GI Bill website at www.GIBILL.VA.gov.
May 1, 2009
The application process began May 1 for the New Post-9/11 GI Bill. Some news resources are making it sound as if the New GI Bill starts today. IT DOESN"T. What starts today is the VA application process. But, what is most important to know is that there is no rush. You need to carefully weigh the benefits of the Montgomery GI Bill against the benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
In an Armed Forces Press Service article Keith Wilson (Director of Education Service for the Veterans Benefits Administration) stated:
“The important thing to remember is that this is one of several programs we administer, all of which have different eligibility criteria,” Wilson said. “The program that is best for the individual veteran is not always going to be the Post-9/11 GI Bill.”
Among questions Wilson encourages people to consider when making the decision are:
-- Which benefit will pay more? This needs to factor in, not just what VA pays, but also the impact on any other educational assistance the person receives. For example, if the student attends school in one of the many states that offers veterans free tuition or receives another form of state or campus aid, will switching to the Post-9/11 benefit change that?
-- What tier of benefit are they eligible for under the Post-9/11 GI Bill? The program includes three payments: tuition and fees, a living allowance, and a book and supply stipend. But current active-duty members can’t receive the living allowance.
-- What type of training do they want to pursue? Not all training covered by the Montgomery GI Bill, for example, is covered by the Post-9/11 bill. The new benefit, for example, doesn’t cover technical school training.
-- How long do you expect to take to use the benefit? The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays out benefits for 15 years, five years longer than the Montgomery GI Bill benefit.
-- Do you plan to attend school less than full-time? It will affect whether you receive the housing allowance under the Post-9/11 benefit.
-- Do you plan to transfer your unused benefits to an immediate family member? Only the Post-9/11 benefit offers that option.
“There are a series of things, both monetary and non-monetary, that individuals need to consider,” Wilson said.
Wilson encourages anyone eyeing the new Post-9/11 program to read up about it on the VA Web site. Those who need additional assistance can click on a link on the site to e-mail VA officials with a question, or can talk with a VA benefits counselor by calling 1-888-GI-BILL-1 toll-free, he said.
“We’re emphasizing education so people understand the full range of our educational programs,” Wilson said. “We really want to be sure we tailor the best program to the individual.”
So - Word the wise, take your time, because making a choice now locks you in to either GI Bill version. Your choice now may severely limit your options later.
Here are some links you may find helpful:
You can also call teh VA directly at 1-888-GIBILL-1 to speak to a representative who can help you determine your best option.
April 30, 2009
By Terry Howell
The Department of Veterans Affairs recently reset the Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition rate for California to zero. This is because state operated colleges and universities in California do not charge tuition for resident undergraduate studies - California residents are required to pay "fees" only. This all comes down to a matter of semantics. As written, the New Post-9/11 GI Bill requires the VA to pay each veteran's tuition based on the highest in-state undergraduate tuition rate at a state operated school in the for the state of enrollment.
This "matter of sematics" will force veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to attend private colleges in California to find another source to help cover the tuition portion of their college bill.
According to a report by Inside Higher Ed, this tuition rate will likely mean that private colleges in California will be less likely to enter into the Yellow Ribbon Program, a federal matching program to cover the balance between the standard veterans' benefit payment rate and actual private college's tuition rates. This could result in veterans incurring thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses or student debt each semester.
The following table demonstrates what this means to veterans attending school on campuses located in California:
|
Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits |
Attending California State Run School* |
Attending a Private University |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition Coverage |
100% |
0% ** |
|
Fees |
Up to $6,587 per term |
Up to $6,587 per term |
|
Housing Allowance |
$1,716 per Month |
$1,716 per Month |
|
Book Stipend |
Up to $1,000 |
Up to $1,000 |
* Example Cal State Sacramento
**Veterans will be responsible to find alternative means for covering the tuition costs - student loans, grants, "yellow Ribbon, out-of-pocket.
Note: This is another example of why it is critical thet veterans choose the school and GI Bill package that best suits their needs. Call 1-888-GIBILL-1 to speak to a VA representative.
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