Word to the Wise... Be Patient

By Terry Howell

Servicemembers and veterans are excited and anxious about the New Post 9/11 GI Bill, they want to know - “am I eligible?” “where do I sign up?” “can my wife use my benefits?” “can it be used over seas?” “which GI Bill is best for me?” "should I put off school and wait for the new GI Bill?" and more.

These are all very good questions; in fact they are the questions you should be asking. The problem is that many of the details of this new law have yet to be finalized and the answers you get may be vague and subject to change.

I have posted several articles since July that help explain what we know so far. But the truth is, until August 1, 2009, every thing is subject to change and/or further clarification. Here are three quick examples of things that remain to be clarified:

1. The DoD has yet to determine the process and eligibility requirements for transferring GI Bill benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
2. Congress has plans to make “technical corrections” to help VA administer the program for over seas students, the “Yellow Ribbon” program, and more. (See Bill s.3339)
3. The VA still needs to determine exactly how this new benefit will be charged against your 36 month benefits account.

And those are just the tip of the ice berg. Issues like the payment rate for online programs, vo-tech and trade schools, and the On-the-Job/Apprenticeship program all still need to be worked out, either by Congress or VA.

The fact is that the Department of Veterans Affairs has until Aug. 1, 2009 to work this out and we need to be as patient as possible. Remember, if there is something you don’t like about the New Post 9/11 there is still time to press congress to fix it. If there are still areas that are unclear, VA has time to clarify them.

Until then, keep reading, watching, and asking questions – but remember that every answer is subject to change. I strongly suggest that if you have specific questions about your GI Bill, call 1-888-GIBILL-1, the VA is the only place that can answer your personal and specific benefits questions.

Suggested Reading:
- Head to Head Comparison of the Old and New GI Bills
- New Post 9/11 GI Bill Overview
- Top 20 Post 9/11 GI Bill FAQs

About the Author:
A Retired Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer, Terry completed his BS in Management and Communications using a combination of CLEP exams, credit for military service, and distance learning while on active-duty. Terry now serves as Managing Editor for the Education Channel at Military.com.

Comments

[Mark P]

I retired after 26 years in 2005 and would like to transfer my benefits to my child. What avenue should I take to lobby about having benefits being transferred for those who are retired?

[Sid]

Does flight training qualify under the New GI Bill? MGIB reimbursed authorized expenses at 60%. I retired in 2006 (21 years service), so I meet the new requirements after serving 5 years post 9/11/2001. I'm preparing to turn my love of aviation into a career and don't want to delay my training until August 1, 2009 only to be turned down for VA assistance. I meet the licensing and medical prerequisites. I entered the AF in July 1985, the month MGIB started, and was another unlucky sole who was advised to decline it. Finally, some of us are able to qualify under this new law, but if the New GI Bill doesn't continue to include eligibility for flight training, it may not work out for me after all.

[L.]

To Connie:

Yes, you may well get blasted.

Until you have walked a mile in my shoes do not tell me I haven't served. I have spent 20 years traveling from base to base, moving every three years and doing 100% of the day to day requirements so that my husband could serve his country without the added worry of what was going on at home. Just because I didn't don a uniform every morning doesn't mean I wasn't "in the military".

[EGWIN LOYA]

I was wondering if you could answer how the new GI bill will affect Illinois students who are using the Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG)? There has been no mention of this educational opportunity but everyone in Illinois seems to think it will be one or the other when it comes to benefits. Can you help?

[Terry Howell]

Brenda - You can contact the Dept. of Education (Federal Student Aid) to request a deferment or forbearance. Their are some situations which you may be eligible for either. But the official source for such info is the DOE. Here is a link to get started: https://www.dlssonline.com/borrower/DefermentFormList.do?cmd=doViewRequirements&wizardName=Unemployment%20Deferment

[Terry Howell]

Mark - Yes it does. Students must be attending 3/4 to full-time to qualify for the stipend.

[Brenda]

I was in the Coast Guard Active Duty, from Nov.1977 to Jan.1, 1981.
I received NO Benefits and NO COLLEGE help! I borrowed $50,000 for my Bachelor's Degree! I am now being charged $300 a Month for my college loan!! I can't afford this! I'm on my own, single, and not making it! Is there any help out there for a veteran like me who served their country for 3 years active duty and got nothing! I could not afford to put any money away for college while I was in because the pay was so LOW! I almost had my car repossed back then. I only earned $3,000 for the whole Year! Does any one know of any programs that I could apply for to help get all, or some, of my $50,000 college loan paid off or written off??? No GI bill, No benefits, and I am a Vet with 3 years Active Duty under my belt! Not Fair at all! HELP!

[Mark Higgs]

Does it make a differance for the Monthly Housing Stipend if you are half or full time?

[Nita]

I have already used all of my Montgomery GI Bill benefits and the last payment was in 2005. I did serve for four additional months after Sept 2001. Am I eligibel for anything even if I have exhausted the original Montgomery GI BILL?

Note from Author: No. You only get 36 months total for the same qualifying enlistment.

[Michael]

I know all the details have not been worked out on tranferring benefits to dependents. I have served in the Air Force for 23 years and plan on retiring within 2 years. Will I still be able to transferr some of my GI bill to my daughter Aug 2009?

Note from Author:
You are right the details are not out on this, however, I strongly doubt that you will be able to transfer benefits at this point in your career since the transferability is being used as a re-enlistment incentive.

Stay tuned things could change!

[Rosiland Tyler]

I am a the spouse of an active duty service member. My husband was advised against getting the G.I. Bill when he enlisted in 1985. Is he eligible under this new program? He has completed his Masters with tution assistance. If so can he transfer benefits to myself and our children. Contrary to some of the comments I have read there are active duty who have college age children. Also to the person who said online is so much easier. I have attended classes and taken online courses. Although the semesters maybe shorter and it is more convenient, it is by no means easier.

Note from Author:
If your husband has more than 90 days service since Sept. 11, 2001 he is eligible. This is covered here: http://education.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/20-top-faqs-for-new-gi-bill#3

The rules for transferring the new GI Bill benefit have not been clarifiesd yet. However based on what we know he will have to re-enlist to qualify for transferability. This is covered here: http://education.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/20-top-faqs-for-new-gi-bill#16

[Edward F. Hahn III SSG(R)]

I am a unique retiree in that I married and had young childen at the end of/after my career, and I desire to personally use the remaining (18 months) of the MGIB entitlement.
My question is as it relates to the grandfathering of the unused portion of the entitlement. I had had 3 years of active duty post 9-11 including combat zone. Will I recieve 18 months of MGIB w/kicker plus BAH at E-5 rate if I go full time to a physical campus??

[John T Brown]

My question is this. I first entered the Army 1972-1976 all active. Rejoined the Guard (AGR)1977 and retired 1999. Why am I being told that my VA school benefit ended 10 years after my first ETS. Should it not be after my last period of service? I still enrolled in school and will now pay back a student loan. This is not right.

[Joann]

My husband is wanting to get his Masters Degree in Education. He will return from Iraq on March of 09. He is getting out of the Army and I am wondering if this New GI Bill offers the housing allowance to non-active military. He has almost 17 years active and 6+ years reserves? Please advise who and where to find the answers to my questions.

Note from Author:
Joann, the new GI Bill offers a stipend for housing for veterans and reserves not on active duty ONLY. So the answer is yes. However this new GI Bill has many limitations which could make it a poor option for pursuing a Master's Degree.

I highly suggest that you read the articles linked in this blog entry.

[Connie]

My Husband and I are both retired and eligible for the new MGIB, but agree on the non transferable entitlements. Here is why.. I was the only one who invested any money into the educational system, he contributed not one dime. He now has full benefits. The Children or Spouse never served!! I know I am going to get blasted, but let me ask all of you retired service members this... How many of you NEVER signed up for MGIB but now are eligible to receive the benefits?

[Karen]

I am wondering if it will be possible to use my Husbands benefits to pay off the 27,000 student loans I incurred while he traveled to desert storm and around the globe as I stayed behind to complete my education and work full time...** all with out any $$ benefits. Seems like I should be able to use if he isn't going too????

Note from Author:
Karen, the answer is no. In fact no GI Bill program reimburses students for student loans. Keep in mind the transferability will not go into affect until August 2009. In addition, the details on benefit transfer have not been determined yet. And your husband would have to reenlist to qualify for transferability.

This link covers all that is currently known about transferability: http://education.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/20-top-faqs-for-new-gi-bill#16

[Solitare]

To Kim:

I completely disagree with your comments about online school atendees. I am doing school full time online and I know I am doing just as much work as anyone on campus. I have classes that run for full semesters just like you do. I have just as much work, if not more, because all of my lessons are self taught. I do not have a teacher in front of me coaching my way through. The only convenience that online schooling brings is that I can work on my schooling whenever is convenient for me. That does not mean at all that the amount of time spent on class work is less than yours. And if you truly felt that your argument was true, then why are you not doing online classes yourself? Don't short change someone else because of your personal choices and opinions.

[Landon]

I was amongst one of the first of the Marines to go into Afghanistan with the 26th MEU. My enlistment expired in October, 2002 just before we went to Iraq. I feel as though I should be fully eligible to participate in this revised GI Bill if that is my choice. Please also explain the net advantage for the veteran compared with the net advantage/disadvantage to the Government. I believe this change is a disadvantage for the veteran and a way to save the Government money. I realize saving the Government money will indirectly save all people via decreased taxation.

[Landon]

I am not sure this new GI Bill plan will be more beneficial. When I attended college, after 4 years in the Marine Corps, I was eligible for sufficient financial aid to cover my expenses at a community college. Actually, I also had extra to pay other bills. After graduation, I transferred to a private university and again received financial aid to cover most of my expenses. The monthly GI Bill money was used to pay rent, etc. Please explain how the new GI Bill plan would be more beneficial. It doesn't seem to me like we will obtain any money to use for personal use and the money will go straight to the college so that the Government doesn't have to provide as much financial aid. What are your thoughts?

[DJ]

My husband will be eligable for the new GI Bill in 2010. However, he enlisted from Ohio and we want to move back to my home state in Iowa to live. He isn't able to get the instate tuition rate since Iowa isn't his home of record, though I have lived here my entire life. I think this is wrong. Many people do not want to move back to their home of record after their service, yet it's the only way to get school paid for by the bill. Shouldn't the new bill let them go to school where they choose?

Note from Author:
Many state schools offer special "in-state" tuition rates for veterans, and in many states it only takes a short time in state to establish citizenship in that state. I would check the rules for Iowa. It appears Iowa only requires a statement of intent to remain in state.

Here are some links on the subject that may help:
http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/residency/
http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/veterans/

[mack]

I agree that each retired member should have the right to transfer their benefits to their dependents.
I for one am disable due to combat injuries' And there's no way i could even consider going back to school.So to award me something for my service and scarfice that i cannot use' is absolutley crazy.It would be better benefits me by transfering to my dependents.That the whole reason i joined the military in the first place to take care of my family.

[John Collins]

I have a question concerning the delinninating date of my GI Bill. I have retired and have used some of the GI educational benefits, but 10 years pasted from my retirement date and I lost the remainder of my benefits. Can I get them back to finish up the rest of my college degree?

Note from Author:
Unfortunately not. This new law does not affect those who completed service prior to Sept. 11, 2001.

[Verdant Green]

Out of curiosity, who initiated this new GI bill? I heard that Obama has been pushing for it and that McCain voted against it. This is very unusual, because many people in the Army generally vote Republican. This may give us something to think about.

[Debbie- Fort Polk, LA]

I am frustrated about this GI Bill. My husband is active but has signed up for life which means no more re-enlistments. We are being told that this is a re-enlistment bonus. I'll have you know my husband is entering his 18th year in the military NEVER once has he received a bonus for re-enlistment not monetary or other wise he simply enlists to serve his country and do what he loves. We as spouses have put our lives on hold to travel with our soldiers education and careers sacraficed, there is no ligitamate reason why we should not receive a benefit which most of our soldiers have not been able to use because of their duty. There is no reason why this benefit should not be included to ALL who serve their country, but most of all those who have made a career of it. If you are in for 20 or more years every benefit imaginable should be given to you. Soldiers who have been in that long, being a sodlier is part of them, they aren't in it for what their country can give to them but what they can give to their country, and I for one am tired of seening those soldiers who waste our time and eat up our benefits only to never really do the job they signed up to do.

[Kim]

For the people that believe that BAH should be given to those doing on-line classes, I disagree. I highly doubt that someone sits at their computer for 8 hours a day just studying and "attending class". You only get BAH for attending full time on campus courses. There is a big difference between classes online and on campus. Online courses are usually shorter, 7 or 8 weeks as apposed to a 3 month semester. Attending online already gives you the benefit of getting more done in less time. Also the advantage of the internet at your fingertips. Spend 15 minutes reading a lecture then maybe 30 minutes doing the work. The point of BAH for full time students on camopus(and this is a guess)is that between traveling and attending classes full time during the day, they do not have as much time to work. It is difficult to attend campus classes and work both full time. It is to help those going to college not to support people. Attend full time on campus and you will get BAH. Thats it. I hope they keep it this way.

[Latasha]

My husband and I are newbies and I'm getting the impression that regardless of the new or old GI Bill, you either use it or lose it. So if I understand this correctly, all my husband has done for the country and it's like a slap in the face because if he doesn't use it, and he family can't use it then the government keeps it? Maybe I should do some more research on this.

Note from Terry:
Yes you should. The GI Bill (in either form) is a great benefit; it has helped me earn my B.S. and I will finish my Master's using the GI Bill.

Nobody promised that if he didn't use it he could transfer it. Keep in mind both of these benefits are designed to help the servicemember achieve great things. The fact that some may be given the opportunity to transfer the benefit if they reenlist is a good thing, but it is not a birth right.

Those of my (post-Vietnam Era) generation were under the VEAP program which only paid on a one-to-three basis. We paid in up to $2,700 and got $8,100 back. Now, that was a slap in the face.

[SSG Frank Hartzell]

I know alot of this is still to be determined but has anyone heard any specifics regarding the 10 years of service requirement to transfer to dependent children? Is it 10 years of active duty service or does reserve service count? I have 23 years of service in the Guard with one Nobel Eagle and two OIF deployments since 9/11. I don't need the GI Bill at this point in my life but it would certainly help my kids. I have a feeling that this won't turn out in their favor.

[noel cartas]

An extra "x" amount is given on top of the regular monthly stipend in the MGIB for those who opted to add the "kicker." How does the "kicker" get reflected in the post 9/11 GI Bill?

Note from Author:
The $600 "Buy-Up" Kicker does not affect the Post 911 GI Bill stipend. However, the Navy, Army and Marine Corps College Funds will be added to the Post 911.

[Kevin Collins]

By reading the updates in reference to the New GI Bill I do not think it is fair that the retiress are not eligible for passing on thier benefits to their dependents if they so desire. Write your congressman if you agree.

[Mrs. Silva]

I completely agree with the other comments about the retiree's not being able to use the new GI benefits and letting them transfer to their children and or spouse. I myself am a apouse of an active duty member. I am very dumb founded that after all the time that the retiree has put in and what their family had to go through just like the gentleman above said, through deployments, duties,etc... my husband is on recruiting duty and the military says it's all about the family, well military let me tell you, yeah my husband is home but I feel like a single mom, so prove it! Prove it is all about the family and let them do what they wish for the benefits they all earned together as a family, starting with the GI benefits.

[Terry Howell]

If you are interested in contacting your elected officials go to the Military.com Legislative Center (http://capwiz.com/military/dbq/officials/ ) to find your representatives names and contact info.

Remember to be respectful and explain your position as clearly as you can.

[Jade Stone]

I want Congress to change the ONLINE vs ON-CAMPUS requirement for the "equal to E5 BAQ payment"

Because of my children, I go to school online....its just easier to WORK and then go to School at night from home.

The New GI Bill does not pay the BAQ rate if you go to class online. Thats ridiculous.

The author mentioned "pressing Congress" how do I make that happen?

Jade

Note from Author:
Go to http://capwiz.com/military/dbq/officials/ to find the contact info for your elected officials.

[MSgt Jeff Estep]

I completely agree with the above comments regarding transferablitiy for retirees. This to me is window-dressing legislation. How many acitve duty members have college age children? It is us the retiree who has college age children and would most benefit from transferablilty. Our spouses and children sacrificed while we were deployed, on remote assignment, or on duty. It is a slap in the face for not only the retiree, but the family members also.

[Petty Officer First Class RET.Stallworth]

I don't feel that it is fair that you have to be on active duty.to transfer your benifit to a dependent.Thr retirie has all ready did all of our time we can't reenlist and we have kids who are in colleage.

[Greg Boisseau]

Who can I contact to voice my opinion on the transferability criteria? I retired (honerably) from the army in the fall of 2004 after 20 years of active service. I am entitled to 100% of the the new GI Bill but I can not transfer any of my entitlements to my spouse or children because I am no longer on active duty? I think this is wrong!

Note from Author:
Contact your Senator or House Representative. Here is link to help get started: http://capwiz.com/military/dbq/officials/

[Paul]

This is why the VA should give the servicemember a choice upon the retirement to see whether he or she wants all the money in which they had given up during their commited service. When service member retire they do not have the money to pay for their desired education, now with this recession we are in the colleges need to lower their tuition fees dramatically.

[Angela Wright]

What are the disadvantages of switching to the NEW GI Bill from the MGI Bill? I retired 2006, I paid 1,200 then 600 dollars for the kicker. Does it help that I receive 90% disability?

Note from Author:
I suggest you read the following:
http://education.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/new-gi-bill-overview
and
http://education.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/head-to-head-comparison-of-old-and-new-gi-bills
These articles will help you understand the decision.

You can also call: 1-888-GIBILL-1

[Terry Howell]

Remember - Any information shared in this forum is "unofficial" and subject to change.