By Terry Howell
For several months I have been blogging on the issues concerning the new Post 9/11 GI Bill and online education. Although online course work is technically covered by the New Post 9/11 GI Bill, the tuition payment rate is substantially lower than the average cost for online coursework. In addition students who attend classes 100 percent online will be excluded from receiving the housing stipend.
However, I recently got some good news from the VA on how they intend to handle the housing stipend for students who attend a mix of classroom and online courses.
The VA policy in such cases will be to pay the stipend to any student who is taking more than a half-time class load, as long as at least one unit is taken in a classroom setting. Here are some examples of qualified and unqualified situations:*
Qualifying Example (A): Student "A" takes a total of 12 units (qualifying for stipend due to having more than a half-time load) at least one unit of which is in a classroom setting, leaving 11 units being taken online. Student "A" would qualify for the full stipend, as long as all other eligibility criteria is met.
Note: The housing stipend would be based on the campus zip code.
Qualifying Example (B): Student "B" takes 7 units (more than half-time) at least one unit is in the classroom. Student "B" would get the housing stipend, as long as all other eligibility criteria is met..
Non-Qualifying Example (C): Student "C" takes a total of 6 units (normally considered "half-time"). Student "C" would not qualify due to not meeting the requirement of taking "more than a half-time" load.
Non-Qualifying Example (D): Student "D" takes 7 units (more than half-time) but all classes are online with none taken in the a classroom setting. Student "D" would not qualify for the stipend.
Unfortunately this still does nothing for students who are taking 100 percent online course, However, it is an improvement in the right direction.
A recent article by Elizabeth Redden – featured on Inside Higher Ed – does a great job reporting many of the facts many of you have read and commented on here in the past. Her article speaks about the benefit limitations for online students under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. In her article, Elizabeth offers some explanation as to how the limitations made it into the final law and the possible impacts. She also has some very interesting quotes from key players in the VA, DoD, and affected schools. I highly recommend reading this article found at Inside Higher Ed and past blog entries on this subject.
Disincentive to Distance Learning- Inside Higher Ed
Time to Improve the New GI Bill- Military Ed Blog
Beyond the Hype of the New GI Bill- Military Ed Blog
If you have specific questions about your GI Bill eligibility and requirements call the VA 1-888-GIBILL-1.
*Note from Author: The facts in examples reflect the policy as it was explained at the ACE VA Post-9/11 GI Bill Implementation Conference in LA – by the VA Director of Education Service, Keith Wilson. Yes the answers are subject to change.
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.
Example B in the article goes against the answer the VA gave me when I asked if I took 7 credits would I get the housing stipend. Below is there answer.
That is not correct. You must be at three-quarter or full time enrollment to get the basic allowance for housing (BAH). Enrollment training time is broken into full, three-quarter, half, and below half time. The next category above half time is three-quarter time. You must be enrolled three-quarter time to be paid the BAH.
"You can monitor the GI Bill web-site for details about the new program and updates on how VA will administer this benefit at http://www.gibill.va.gov. You may also sign up to receive an email alert that notifies you each time VA updates information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Thank you for contacting the VA.
Muskogee RPO
ALH/2160"
NOTE from Author: The facts in example "B" are exactly as it was explained by to me and hundreds others at the ACE VA Conference in LA – by the VA Director of Education Service, Keith Wilson.
I have seen alot of information with regards to the Post 9/11 GI Bill, however, there is not alot of information on how it impacts VEAP participants that still have money in VEAP. Is there a reference that can best explain the impact and benefits.
An online school could move its "location" to a very high BAH city, just to encourage students to enroll.
I am in Youngstown Ohio (BAH $842), I could enroll into an online program for a school based out of San Francisco and get a $2,744 month stipend. So why would I even think of going to Youngstown State?
Note from Author: Because 100% online students don't get the stipend.
Hi Terry,
I apologize that I am posting an unrelated question to your blog entry (I was unable to find contact information for you elsewhere…). I write content for the Idealist.org Public Service Graduate Education Resource Center and wanted to include some resources for servicemembers in my articles. Specifically, I've been trying to find more information about states that grant in-state tuition rates to active duty servicemembers regardless of their home state. Do you have a consolidated list of states that offer this? I'd love to link to it from an article. Or is there a link for servicemembers to find the appropriate person/office/contact with whom to further explore this? Thank you,
Jung
Hey Terry,
Too bad for online students. I have done over 4 full years (total of 6 years) of online classes and although you receive about the same course load it is only fair to students who actually attend classes receives full BAH in the New GI Bill. I say this only because you can say you are going to NYU (new york city) get E-5 w/dep or $2700/month income ($32,000 a year!!!) and be a surfer taking your classes from your laptop in Indonesia only needing like $500/month to live on.
So as much as I'd enjoy going to NYU and getting BAH for its zip code it isn't fair to a student in texas who gets $900/month who actually is on campus in say, Dallas.
I do agree that if you are taking 12 credits online and work a full-time job as well its fair to receive SOME BAH or you should be given the lowest Bah/dep or just E-5 bah without dep (still lowest amount since you can go to ANY college in ANY state and live ANYWHERE. So making that statement hopefully in the future if you are 100% online you still will get some type of BAH especially if you are just working part-time trying to do a full load of college classes (Especially masters and up).
Good article, but I don't have much feelings for 100% online students. Get the college experience and get in the classroom. You'll likely find out the classes are 200% harder then online.
cheers,
Paul
Punks with Aloha LLC. Consulting
Note – 4 years online/ 2 years in class.
I made the NYC example because I plan to move there, use the yellow ribbon program, and attend my masters at a school like Metropolitan College of New York (MBA in Media). I'm currently in Hawaii also where BAH is high.
You also have to understand the military's/govt. perspective on this new gi bill which is:
in my opinion "most military people are not going to get out to get degrees and instead just use the tuition assistance, and most aren't motivated to even ever take classes" – how can I make this opinion? only encouraging EVERYONE on my boat to take classes and they come up with really dumb excuses not to and are "too afraid" to get out to use it.
remember you can't get double BAH if you are already in. you have to be out to get this. so in a glim economy its perfect for opportunists like myself!
-chao. http://www.punkswithaloha.com
I'm not sure I understand the logic behind no BAH for online students. Education is education whether I am learning online or in a brick and mortar. The only thing more difficult about a classroom setting is actually having to set aside extra time for the commute.
The bottom line is I am a full time student who could benefit from the additional income. I have bills to pay just like everyone else. If fairness is an issue, the VA knows my address, they can issue BAH accordingly.
The VA responded on 2/6/09 to my request for clarification about regarding BAH for those attending school more than half-time. I had disagreed with their rule on 3/4 time to get BAH. See below.
Their answer:
"Since this program is still under development, very little is documented at this time. We ask that you please continue to monitor our web site and as each issue is finalized, we will be posting updates as time goes along. At this point we just have to go on what we have be trained on but the VA Central Office in Washington D.C. told us that anything is subject change, at the same time they have been directing our training.
What we have been trained to release at this point is this: One must be training at 3/4 or full time to receive the basic allowance for housing (BAH). One must also be attending a brick and mortar school, meaning on line courses are incompatible with BAH. Again, we are still waiting for the finished version ourselves. Please continue to monitor our web site at http://www.gibill.va.gov for updates. We are hoping finalized guidelines will be released to us very soon." rs/2237 Muskogee RPO
Who is running the VA now? Do they have a clue what BAH is for? It is to supplement the rent/own costs of a home. Do they charge more per course credit if you live on the campus, in the city, the answer is no. Just one more example of the VA and Law Makers being out of touch with common sense.
People using the Post-9/11 GI Bill for distance learning would be eligible to receive a living stipend under legislation introduced Tuesday by the House Veterans' Affairs Committee chairman.
The bill sponsored by Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., addresses one of the biggest complaints about the new veterans education benefits plan that takes effect Aug. 1.
In addition to covering tuition and fees and providing a $1,000 annual allowance for books and supplies, the new GI Bill provides a monthly living stipend equal to the military basic allowance for housing for an E-5 with dependents for the ZIP code where the school is located.
The law includes two big limits on who can receive the housing allowance. First, it is paid only to people who are attending school as at least half-time students. Second, it is not paid to anyone taking distance learning classes unless they are taking at least one class on campus.
Filner's bill, HR 950, keeps the first requirement that living stipends go only to those who are at least half-time students, but waives the requirement to take at least one class on campus. With that change, the housing allowance paid to distance learning students would be based on the ZIP code for where the school is located.
The bill makes no change in coverage of tuition and fees for distance learning under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Paying a living stipend based on the location of a distance learning school is something the Veterans Affairs Department opposed last year when officials discussed details with Congress.
VA officials were concerned that schools would set up shop in the most expensive locations of the U.S. solely to entice veterans to sign up for classes with the promise of big living stipends. VA officials similarly opposed paying a housing allowance based on the student's location, arguing they didn't want to encourage people to try to boost their income by moving to the most expensive area of the U.S. in order to get a bigger monthly check.
Since Congress passed the bill and VA has publicized proposed rules for paying benefits, complaints have arisen from both schools and potential GI Bill users about the unfairness of paying living stipends to some veterans but not to others.
Filner's committee has scheduled a Feb. 26 hearing about the Post-9/11 GI Bill to look at VA's preparations to make payments as well as changes that Congress could make in the bill before the new program launches on Aug. 1.
Distance learning is expected to be part of the discussion, aides said.
So does that mean that if I go to school full time, online and take one class at a physical campus that I get BAH for wherever the physical school is?
Hi,
If I take 8 points (2/3 Full time) in NYU (12 points considered as Full time), you will deduct only 2/3 amount from my Post 9-11 GI Bill, right? For example, NYU semester is little less than 4 months long and I will be charged only 2.6 months. I currently have 29 months total so I will end up having 26.4 months left after this semester? Also, will my BAH will be reduced from $2751 (Full time rate 100%) to $1834 (2/3 Full time rate)? Please let me know, sir!!!
Samuel Jang
U.S. Army Iraq/Afghanistan/Korea Combat Veteran
I think the problem is easily fixable. They should give BAH to everyone, but those going completely online Should get the BAH rates for where they actually reside, not where the school is located. It is not rocket science, just common sense. It is easy to prove where the student actually resides.
I have a question no one seems to be able to answer at either schools I am attending. I am currently enrolled full time online. This year I will be earning 60 credits. Which I believe 30 credit is for fall term, 20 summer term, and 10 fall term. Now do I need to take one class on campus each term to qualify for BAH?
I meant 30 credit spring term, 20 summer, 10 fall. And also 3 credits on a campus for spring
Does anyone know if you can recieve BAH while living at home with your active duty parents? Do you have to live on campus or in rental units near campus to recieve it? Basically I was wondering if those students living at home with a parent who is recieving BAH can recieve it.
If you could help me out that would be great but if not dont worry about responding please..
1.I have a quick question my program is 38 months long and I have 20months of regular MGIBILL leftover so do I switch to Post 9/11 or do I let it run out and the get the 12month extension…
2.Does the Post9/11 MGIBill Pay for whatever program your in and lets say the program is 38 months long but I have 20 motnhs left over I stop recieving payments after 20 months but is the rest covered by Post9/11 GIBill???
3. I have a quick question my program is 38 months long and I have 20months of regular MGIBILL leftover so do I switch to Post 9/11 or do I let it run out and the get the 12month extension…
Well they already have set bah for American veterans over seas using online courses only, why not do it for the rest of us?
well i live in alaska and go to school at university of phoenix all online which is expensive but not as expensive as here, and i get no bah how is that fair. they should at least pay the rate of the school. i think it is completely unfair
some of us have kids and full time jobs and simply cant afford childcare or time off work to go online and i did my first two years in classroom and am finishing last 2 online and i disagree that class is harder than online,
I guess its a good thing no one really cares about your feelings
Man just shut your mouth…because what about the students that are deployed and still gettingbtheir degree. So just shut your mouth.
i meant in classroom, if class students get bah then so should online students!!!!!!! tuition is still the same cost so why do class students get more, completely unfair