Will the New GI Bill Face Delays?

By Terry Howell

Facing the challenge of implementing the new highly complex Post 9/11 GI Bill, the Department of Veterans Affairs sought the help of outside contractors. This raised the hackles of veterans groups, public employee unions, and Congress. They rallied forces to challenge the VA’s decision.

The VA backed away from the plan of using a contractor to help implement the program, citing a lack of qualified bids. The VA stated it will “rely upon its own workforce to set up the information technology programs needed to implement the educational benefits of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.”

A recent Stars and Stripes article being run on Military.com, tells that the VA will rely on the old system to process tuition payments.

Unfortunately the lack of outside help and the need to rely on an antiquated system may result in delays for the new GI Bill program. According to a recent UPI article, The VA has vowed to launch the measure on time, but has publicly admitted it will be a difficult mission.

According to a recent article by Tom Philpott, the VA stated that concerns about making the deadline are "unfounded." (Read the full article)

I believe the VA is doing its best to please everyone and make the deadline, but the mixed signals are not giving me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Stay tuned.

I suggest reading the following articles to get a full view of the situation:

- VA to Use Old System to Deliver New Tuition Checks
- Chance of Delay for New GI Bill
- New GI Bill to Start On Time

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

[Lela Rhodes]

My husband is planning to use the post 911 vet edu assistance. I have several questions. He will be attending classes on the fall spring track.
1. Am i right to assume that we will not receive the housing benefits during the summer semester?

Inserted answer: He will only receive the Housing Stipend while attending school. If he takes no classes or drops to halftime or below - he will not get the stipend.

2. If he attends part time during the summer will he receive any assistance?

Inserted Answer: He will get the tuition payment (sent to school) and a portion of the book stipend.

3. 36 months of benefits translates to about 9 months out of the year for 4 years... what months of the school year can we expect to receive the housing stipend with him enrolled during the fall and spring semester?

Inserted Answer: Don't get wrapped up in the 36 months. He will get a month of benefits for every month he is enrolled according to his "rate of pursuit." This means that if he is going to school for a year at the half-time rate then he will use 6 months of his benefit. If goes nine months at full time then he will use nine months of benefits.

4. If he did want to go full time for the full 4 years would he receive year round assistance for only 3 years(36 months)?

Inserted Answer: Under normal conditions a student who goes year round full time will not take four years to complete their degree. The whole 36 month benefit is set up with this in mind. If your husband attends only spring and fall each year then he will take 4 years and use only 36 months of benefits.

Thanks for your time!

[patrick]

Does the new GI Bill cover courses taken online and does it include the housing stipend? I am planning on taking my master's and online courses will work best for me. The school already works with the GI Bill program

[cherry]

my husband was in active army for about 20 years and then became a reservist and retired out there after 2001 can i as his spouse use the 9/11 gi bill. or is there something that i can use to pay for all of my school

[Brittany]

I'm separating in June of this year and was wondering how to go about the process of activating the new GI bill. Also how do I register for college this Aug when the bill comes into effect then? Will they contact the school early to set up the payment?

Thank you

[Maranda]

I just got out of active service with the Coast Guard and now a reservist. Should I wait to activate my GI bill until the post 911 Bill comes out? What if I active the old GI bill, will I not receive the benefits of the new bill?

Contact me at: Maranda_Yarger@hotmail.com

Thank you!

[danny]

I will be getting out of the Marines this December, and live in Illinois. Illinois has a program called the IVG, Illinois veterans grant, which will pay for 100% of my tuition cost. Will i be able to use the new GI bill along with my IVG?

[HAROLD BURTON]

IAM A VET FROM THE VIET NAM WAR FROM 1967 TO 1968 HOW DO OR I SOULD SAY DO WE QUALIFY FOR A G I LONE FOR A HOME IF WE DO HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETING STARTED ABOUT GETING THE PAPER WORK WOULD YOUAL LET ME NO THANK YOU MY NAME IS HAROLD BURTON THANK YOUALVERY MUCH

[Terry Howell]

Ryan - Scholarships do not effect the GI Bill payment rates. However there may be specific rules for each scholarship which could limit how or where you have access to the funds.

Under the p9/11 you will not get the tuition money, it goes to the school. If otherwise eligible, you will get the housing and book stipends which you can spend as you see fit.

[Terry Howell]

Nicholas - the details for how the Post 9/11 GI Bill applies for overseas are still being worked out - but I believe it will cover many overseas programs. Stay tuned for more information as it comes out.

[Terry Howell]

Jorge - The info is still not clear on transferring the GI Bill to your dependents and it will require you to re-enlist. Stay tuned for further details.

[Terry Howell]

RJ - Simple answer is yes you should qualify for the Post 9/11 - if you served on active duty since 9-11-2001. Which it appears you did.

This benefit will not pay for schooloing you have already attended and is not in effect until Aug. 1, 2009.

[Jorge O. Soriano]

I am a 25 year active duty Soldier, hence, I know I qualify for the New GI Bill, however, what is not clear is, what requirements do I have in order for my daughter to receive the full benefits? Further,she does not graduate until 2012. Do I incur a further service obligation? If so, when doesit start/end?

I do not think the answers to my questions are available yet, or are they?
Very respectfully,

JORGE O. SORIANO
412th ASB
Command Sergeant Major
Ansbach, Germany

PROFESSIONALS!

[R.J.]

To All,

I joined the Air Force in 1985, at that time I declined the G.I. Bill. Since, I have enrolled in Embry-Riddle, Mrach 2005, in order to pursue a B.S. Degree in Professional Aeronautics. I retired, honorably discharged, in 2006. Do I qualify for the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill at the maximum rate? Thank you for your help.

RJ

[Nicholas]

I've served well over 36 months after 9/11, and I pretty well understand the rules it entails, but does it apply to any schools out of the country? (specifically England, where i'm trying to persue a degree in education) Should I ask the VA if they'll pay for education at a British school or should I ask the school if they'll accept the benefits? Or both?

[Ryan T]

under the new GI Bill, is it considered acceptable to receive scholarship money and pocket it while the GI Bill pays all of my tuition?

[Dalit Arkarath]

Also, I have about 15 hours or so left until I recieve an Associates. My plan is to go to back to a 4 year university. Will the educations benefit pay for both associates and bachelors? Thank you.

Note from Author:

Yes. It will not pay for two Associates, but it will pay for you to get your bachelors, masters, etc... as long as you have enough months of benefits to cover it. (36 total months).

[Dalit Arkarath]

Hello. I will be honarable discharged beginning March 2009. If I plan on going to a school not of my original state of residence, will I be receiving benefits for out-of-state costs? (Refering to the Post 911 highest in-state payment). Thank you.

Note from Author:
The benefit is capped at the in-state level. Your actual cost is not determined by your home of record. It is determined by the school's rules for determining state residency. Many have a 6 months rule but not all. You need to speak directly to the school about the rules for in-state tuition.

[Terry Howell]

Carmen - YOu did not serve after 9/11 (Sept. 11, 2001. Therefore you do not qualify any new or additional benefits.

[Terry Howell]

Arnulfo - Unless you had some specific health issues chances are you are not eligible to exted the 10 years. However, call the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 to confirm before you give up.

[Terry Howell]

Juanita- the quick answer is no. Although you should ALWAYS confirm this with the VA. Call 1-888-GIBILL-1

[juanita]

I am close to meeting my deadline to use my GI bill. If I enroll in a class now and my 10 years hit after my classes begin, can I continue to use the gi Bill?

[Arnulfo Aspili]

I switched from the VEAP to the Montgomery GI Bill before I retired in Nov 1999. I have used 12 months out of the 36 months. I am planning to go back to school next year,but because of the 10-year rule, I will not be able to use all my eligibility of 36 months. Can I request an extension so I can use all my eligibility? Thanks

[Fred]

They still need to remove the online class / eClass restriction. I'm a full-time student now and I have to take two online classes because of lack of on campus enrollment for those classes. Plus, students still have to pay for the online class just as for the on campus classes. The only difference is not having to travel to the campus.

[Carmen Conyers]

I was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in January of 2000. I received 36 months of the GI benefits so will l be eligible for the 9/11 post G.I. benefits for continuing education for 12 months.

[Carmen Conyers]

I was honorable discharged from the U.S. Navy in January of 2000. I received 36 months of the GI benefits so will l be eligible for the 9/11 post G.I. benefits for continuing education for 12 months.

[Terry Howell]

Ryan - Because you already used the MGIB you are limted to a only 36 months of benefits -total. According to my sources, only those who have MGIB-SR and REAP have a chance of adding 12 months of the Post 9/11 GI Bill for a total of 48 months of benefits.

[Ryan W]

I was in the army for 7 years, have an honorable discharge, 30% service-connected disability, and served until 02/02/2003 (17 months after 9/11). However, I already used 36 months of the old GI Bill.
I currently go to graduate school full-time. So, will I still be eligible to receive benefits at 60% for 12 months of school?

I read the following on-line:

"14. Question: The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) was limited to 36 Months of benefits, is there similar limit for the Post 9/11 GI Bill?

Answer: Yes, like the MGIB you are generally entitled to 36 months of educational assistance. You may not receive benefits under more than one VA education program at the same time. If you are entitled to more than one GI Bill program you may be eligible for a maximum of 48 months of entitlement when using benefits under two or more GI Bill programs.

Note: Individuals eligible under MGIB (Chapter 30) who elect to receive benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill are only entitled to the number of months they had remaining under MGIB (Chapter 30) (including any revoked months of transferred entitlement) up to a maximum of 36 months."

[Steve Smith]

I enlisted and signed up for the Veap Program in 1980. In 1990, I thought that I would not be going back to school and took the $2700.00 out of VEAP since I was staying in the service. I finally retired in 2006 after 26 years of service and a tour in Iraq and was wondering if i qualify for the new Chapter 33 plan if I go back to school.

Note from Author:
You may qualify for a portion of the Post 9/11. However the VA has not made it clear yet. I suggest that you call them at 1-888-GIBILL-1.

[jemel mccrea]

will the housing allowance be automatically implemented for full time students when the new bill goes into effect in august?

Note from Author:
If you elect to switch from the MGIB. Details to follow...

[Tracye]

Can the spouse of an active duty military use the MGIB? Can our Kids? I ask because my husband is not interested in furthering his education, but I am. He won't retire for another 8 years, and we will then have a child going to college. So if I as his spouse can't, can out son use it?

[Terry Howell]

Robert: No. Your chance to use the GI Bill has passed. Since you do not qualify for the new Post 9/11 GI Bill, you had only 10 years. This new benefit does not extend your benefit expiration date.

Note about expiration of GI Bill benefits - If you were under the MGIB, your benefits expire 10 years after you leave (or retire). If you qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, you are eligible for up to 15 years.

[robertharvey]

hwo long is the gi bill good for i have been out of the millitary ret over 10 years can i still use it