House Hearings on Post-9/11 GI Bill Implementation

By Terry Howell

In an effort to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs is on track to make their Post-9/11 GI Bill start date of August 1, 2009, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs conducted the fourth in a series of oversight hearings. In addition to the looming deadline several other issues surfaced during the meeting.

Although boring to the casual observer, I was impressed with two things. One - the VA appears to be on schedule, and  two - the committee members were well aware of the issues surrounding the implementation and the effects some current policies will have on veteran students.

As for the implementation timeline, VA was clear that they were on track. Based on the timeline presented by Keith Wilson, Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, the VA hopes to start accepting eligibility applications from veterans on May 1, 2009. The VA expects the eligibility determination process to take up to 24 days for each application. This doesn't mean they will begin paying claims at that time. Claim payment processes will not begin until sometime after August 1, 2009.

Ranking Member Boozman reminded the committee that, “During the last Congress, you introduced and I cosponsored H.R. 5684 – the Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2008, a GI Bill that built on the success of the Montgomery GI Bill and… it could have been up and running right now and we could be spending our time overseeing and improving programs like Voc Rehab, HVRP and TAP.”

I agree with Rep. Boozman, fixing the Montgomery GI Bill would have been less painful than creating a whole level of benefits. But, unfortunately that ship has sailed.

Committee members shared a concern about the proceedure for seeking refunds if a student drops courses after payment has been made to the school and if the policy would require the student or the school to make the payment. Although the committee members did not seem convinced, Keith Wilson attempted to assure them that the VA had those issues under control.

Mr. Wilson was also questioned about the apparent inequity between state-based tuition payment rates and some of the surprisingly large tuition costs and fees associated some states. Rep. Boozman stated, "VA has posted its first compilation of the maximum tuitions and fees for each state and I am truly surprised by some of the numbers." Mr. Wilson, simply replied that the rates are set according to the statutes and that they were preliminary numbers.

In addition Chairwoman Herseth-Sandlin asked Mr. Wilson if he was concerned about making any fixes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill between now and August. To which he emphatically stated it would cause great concern since their implementation project and computations are built on the current policies.

In my opinion, his answer doesn't seem quite right, most of the proposed changes would simplify the  program. But, from the standpoint of trying to get this program up in time I understand why he answered the way he did.

The hearing can be viewed at from the House Committee on Veterans Affairs website.

Stay tuned for more...

Comments

[Hank]

Consider using this as a template for a letter to send to your representatives, there is definitely power in numbers. You should also consider supporting an organization that fights for us on the hill like AFSA, VFW, etc... They have the power on the Hill that we as ones and twos don't.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Sen. _____,

Thank you for making the expanded version of the GI Bill, called the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Act, an option for some of our veterans. This is a great start, but I believe we need to do more.

Specifically, we need to expand eligibility of this benefit. Therefore, I respectfully request your support to immediately eliminate the current service requirement, open this benefit to all personnel who have served, in keeping with the intent and name of the Act, Post-9/11.

The manipulation and mislabeling of this benefit into a service retention tool is a disservice to those who have served between 9/11 and 1Aug09. If this is in fact a Post-9/11 initiative then let's do the right thing, otherwise, let's not misuse a tragic date for America on the title and let's rename it the Post-1August2009 With Additional Service Commitment Veterans Educational Act, becasue that is what it is in it's current form.

Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address

[Theresa]

Write your congressmen now!!!

[BP]

FOR ALL RETIREES WANTING TO TRANSFER YOUR REMAINING BENEFITS TO YOUR SPOUSES/CHILDREN!!!!!
As you're probably aware, retirees are NOT afforded the opportunity to transfer remaining benefits to your dependent spouses & children, even though an active duty member with only a 10-year commitment is!!!
Write both the Senate and House Subcommittees for Veterans Affairs!!! Letters to the Senate Committee can be sent via email from their website located at http://veterans.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?pageid=1 or mailed to:
U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Democratic Staff, 412 Russell Senate Bldg, Washington D.C. 20510 OR U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Republican Staff, 825A Hart Senate Bldg, Washington D.C. 20510.
Letters to the House Committee can be faxed in to (202) 225-2034 or mailed to: House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 335 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-2034
Write your senators and reps from your home states. If you're from Virginia, write Senator Webb, the sponsor of the bill. Most of your Senators and Reps can be reached via their websites. I've gotten responses from both my Senators and Reps from Nevada, but the strength is in numbers!!!!!

[K. Keawe]

I am a Retired USN for about 6 years now. I am not interested of going back to school at anytime. But, I would like to know how can I transfer my GI bill Education benefits to my Spouse. My Wife has unselfishly supported me during my active duty military obigations from the half way mark to my retirement. I would like to give by appreciation and Mahalo, (thank you) to my Wife to receive a college degree.

Fair winds following seas

[new vet]

you old guys need to stop crying...you wasted your benefits and now you want more to waste....please

[Petra Cooper]

I am a veteran who has served their country and received a honorable discharge this new Post 9-11 GI Bill should be entitled to every veteran who served their country and received an honorable discharge. I too enrolled in the MGIB. I went to go an apply for college and was told that my GI Bill was up in 10 yrs. Unfortunate I was not able to attend college within that time frame I was taking care of a parent who was terminally ill and also who traveled with a military spouse who has served his country for 20 yrs. I had wrote to my Congress explaining that they need to relook at taking the time limit off of using a GI Bill that you have contributed to do to unseen circumstance and other obligations. Now with the new Post GI Bill it is only for those who have served after 2001 what about those who have served before as myself and many other veterans as with that bill I feel that there should not be any type of restrictions other than someone receiving a dishonorable discharge.

[Donald S Walker]

On the 17th of May 2007, I received a letter of disapproval of Veterans educational benefits. In 1989 I had pulled my money out of the VEAP program to put a down payment on my first house. Before I pulled this money out, I specifically asked the educational office on Hill Air Force Base, if I would still be enrolled in the program? The female NCO replied yes even if you pulled all of your money out, you would still be enrolled in VEAP.
At some point in the future we were given the opportunity to transfer into the Montgomery GI Bill. When I arrived at the education office (on Hill Air Force Base) to transfer into the program, the person at the office informed me, that being that I pull my money out of the VEAP program, I was ineligible to enroll into the Montgomery GI Bill. This was a complete contradiction that cost me all of my education benefits. If this happened to me how many other people did this happen to? The education office should be held accountable for given out misinformation.
You might be asking your self, why he waited so long before applying for benefits. I thought for the longest time that I was ineligible, until I stumbled on the 2007 edition of the federal benefits for veterans and dependents. In chapter 4, category 4, titled veterans educational assistance program (VEAP). It states that “Veterans who participated in VEAP on or before Oct. 9, 1996, may also be eligible even if they did not deposit money in a VEAP ac¬count if they served on active duty from Oct. 9, 1996, through April 1, 2000, elected MGIB by Oct. 31, 2001, and contributed $2,700 to MGIB.”
Now if the education office would have told me that I needed to have a minimum amount of money in the VEAP program to keep it open, then I would have left that minimum amount in the program. But because of that misinformation the education office provided, it left me ineligible to participate in the Montgomery GI Bill.
In closing, I have twenty years of my life dedicated to the Air Force mission, knowingly that the mission came first. My academic advancement took a back seat for the mission. Now its time that my academic advancement takes front seat. At one point in time I was fully invested with the VEAP program. I feel that I have earned these benefits, and if I had known then, that I was eligible for these benefits when I retired. I would have fully funded the Montgomery GI bill before I retired.

[andrew]

there is no such thing as fair in this world... please to all vets and gonna be vets... "they didn't tell me"is not an excuse make sure your aware of your benefits such as timelines and guidelines. people seem to only pay attention to things when they need it at that moment and by that time its too late........

[jeff]

I feel that if you finished your contract honorably, and completed the whole term of the contract, then you should be able to receive your G.I. Bill benefits, no questions asked. If you were told by your recruiter when you signed up that you had the G.I. Bill then you should have it. The Reserve G.I. Bill wording states that a soldier must remain in good standing in his or her unit. It doesn't say that you must remain in good standing until the end of your contract and then sign another contract if you haven't used your benefits by then! If a soldier remains in good standing for the whole contract (in my case it was 8 years which turned into 9 years because of the Stop Loss enacted by Congress)and is then discharged before using his or her benefits, he or she must sign another contract to receive benefits (and remain in good standing). Otherwise, you are just out on the street. What about all the hard work and "good standing" days that you put in?! By the way, in 1996, I was selected as my battalion's soldier of the year, which requires a form to be filled out proving that you had 100% attendance. I was discharged in 2004. Supposedly, I should have until 2014 to use my benefits but that doesn't seem to be true either. Also, the recruiter never said that I needed to be on Active Duty for a certain period of time to otherwise receive my benefits.

[Jerry Rankins]

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-950

For anyone that wants to know the status of H.R. 950

Note from Author:
Thanks Jerry. Quick update. It was discussed in committe, and saw only lack-luster support. The main reason why it is not being fully supported, is because it leaves to much room for vets and schools to "game" the system.

Hopefully the House VA Committee will seek to improve the language of the bill rather than let it die.

- Terry

[Don]

I along with all of you, I served our country. but it seems every time a good thing comes around the ones who have gone before get left out in the cold if you offer it to one. it should cover all military personel and veterans and also their dependants in a way the joke is on with the 2500 in education grant and the free medical for all soon enough

[Chad]

I think GI benefits should have no experation and should be granted to those who were told they would receive it from the beginning. I served 6 years in the Air Guard and one of my benefits was the GI bill. I received this in exchange for my enlistment, whether or not I served in war or active duty. I decided to go back to school in December and the school I choose said that I was still eligible for my benefit. My original benefit statement said my benefit ended in March of 08, but because of my 6 year obligation it should be in March of 2010. I spent three months trying to get an answer from the Va and have my delimination date changed, and two days ago I was told that I am not eligible. The Guy at the VA is now saying that once my six years was up I could only receive benefits after that if I was considered a vet., which I am not because my service was between the wars. I joined knowing that I could go to war at anytime, but never had to. I was held from discharge after 9/11 for 6 months in case I was needed, but never was. Now I am told that I cannot get my benefit because I didn't have active duty status, and I am also told that I couldn't even collect it 10 years after the fact like my statement said when I was discharged. It seems like the rules are constantly changing. Too many if thens and if that....I only had 15 more months to use it I thought. I could not use the full amount but nearly $20,000 would have been a big help. I started at the school thinking I would get it and now I can't. When I am finished with school I will owe an additional $20,000 or more because of this. Why are there so many loopholes and stipulations to receiving these benefits?

[Jeff P.]

In response to Guido Bell question about transferring educational benefits to dependents, The VA told me last week that this is being used as a retention tool going forward and these benefits will not be available to veterans or retiree's. I believe this should be changed as I have dependents in college now and it sure woud be nice for the government to pick up some of the tab given the fact that I gave them 33 years and many times away from the family...

[Tim]

I was never told that my VEAP benefits will expire 10 years after my discharge. Like most, I too had a family to support and school was not an option. I learned at the 9.5 year mark after discarge that I only had 6 more months left to use my benefits. An IT bootcamp was all I could do in my line of work. Luckily, I was able to achieve my desired/required certifications and only have to pay for 50%. I think the VEAP benefits should never expire. I believe they should exhaust like a bank account but, not lost entirely. Veterans never lose Home guarantee and can use it multiple times.

[Frank Carpenter]

I served 24 years and retired in November of 2006. My wife was with me the entire time and my now 17 year old daughter. My wife is currently attending college and my daughter will be in 2010. They had to put up with the deployments and the inconvience of moving from duty station to duty station. It would sure help out if I could transfer my GI Bill to them. They deserve it.

[Bill G.]

I was forced to use my VEAP funds to travel by pov over 3,000 miles when I was suddenly discharged for not conforming to weight standards. Being an operations specialist I had no skills to use in the real world. I really didn't understand the educational system and have lost any and all military educational benefits. I want everyone retired, active, or otherwise to stand up and make your voice heard, abolish these educational time limits; these educational funds belong to us because we have done our time!

[Anne]

I was one of those who came during the VEAP era. Although I had heard of the Montgomery GI Bill I did not know the details of its implementation. My fault yes, but my education office never publicized the details nor did any other Government office. Consequently when I applied for MGIB benefits I was told that my refusal to take the VEAP was also a refusal to take MGIB. That's another story.

At any rate, because I served after 9.11 I am now eligible for reduce Post 9.11 GIB benefits and for that I am truly grateful. I am currently working on a Masters degree and paying out of pocket and hopefully the new GIB will cover the last third of it.

My concern is for all those who dedicated their lives to the service of their country but because they didn't accept VEAP and retired before 9.11 are still without any educational benefits.

While some are asking for increased benefits and the ability to pass their benefits to family, there are honorable GIs who haven't even been given the option to participate. This is wrong and the new GIB should include all veterans who fell in the VEAP twilight zone.

[Dustin]

I am supposedly eligible for this new GI Bill. However, I go to school full time online. It is my understanding that I will NOT be eligible for book costs and the Housing allowance...is this correct?

[Casey]

There should never be a time limit to use a benefit as valuable as the GI Bill is. I got out of Navy 8 years ago. I found a great paying job and had a family to support so school wasn't logical. Now I have been layed-off from this job and have only 2 years to try to get into and finish school in order to start new career.

[Randy]

If we're talking inequity; why isn't veterans allowed to transfer this benefit to our son/daughters. We proudly served this country during the 9/11 era; this is a disgrace to all veterans during such an stressful economic time frame. These funds would surely help the burden for us as well to send our son/daughters for a college education just like our active -duty comrades.

[Terry Howell]

If you are eligible for the Post-9/11 you may be able to get 12 months addiditonal benefit. There is a 48 Month GI Bill limit for any combination of benefits. Call 1-888-GIBILL-1 for specifics.

[Terry Howell]

Jeff: Please review the eligibility info found at: http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=348 That should answer your questions about eligibility.

[Terry Howell]

Jim L. - It is being discussed in committee today. http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=348

[Jim Landerkin]

Terry, what's the status of H.R 950? I can't find it anywhere, even on Filner's website.

[Bill]

what i dont get is that if you are in the military like we are do here dont matter what branch its still military then why do the national guard get to go to school for free and im in the same state as them in the navy reserves and we have to pay out of our pockets and get a biddly little 300 dollar a month from gi bill talk about unfair we all fight just as much as they do explain that

[Jeff Steele]

I am a retired Air Force veteren and I am also one of those who used VEAP and I would like to use the new GI Bill. Am I eligible?

[Jeff]

Is this bill covering veterans that have already used another plan? I used my VEAP and was wondering if I would be able to use one of these others I got out back in '87

[marcos]

I took a course that lasted about 4 months but the tuition was $12,000. GI bill only covered about $5000. The rest I have tp pay myself, i think thats wrong. If you are entitled to 25,000 or 30,000, whatever the GI Bill is now, i believe it should cover the whole cost.If your tuition is over what you are entitled i understand if you have to pay out of pocket but not if you still have money to use.

[Kevin Brown]

I actually used my GIBill to complete both a BA and a Masters dregree through a recommended online program. The challenge is that the GIBill is paid based upon a traditional education model, a set ammount for 36 months. Because I had some college while serving in the Army and my Military experience I only had to attend 24 months in the online program. The problem is that the cost for attending was the same as if I was in a 36 to 48 month program. There are some accelerated payment program for non-traditional programs but only for thier selected degree programs.

[Terry Howell]

p. - The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)requires members to pay-to-play ($1,200). The Post-9/11 GI Bill, does not have a pay-to-play policy. It is a benefit of service.

If your daughter chose to participate in the Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty (MGIB), she would have been required to pay $1,200.

If she did not, she is not eligible for the MGIB.

However, if she has served for at least 90 days since Sept. 11, 2001 on active duty she may be eligible for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. And if she also chose the MGIB she has to choose which program she wants take advantage of.

Hope that answers your question.

[David Giltner]

I am in the same situation that Denise R. is in. When I got out of the Army, in my outprocessing I Was told I had 10 years to start using the GI Bill, and had 10 years to use it up after that. That was wrong. When I got out, I had no training that could be used for a civilian occupation. I was a forward observer in the 82nd...not a whole lot of people needing people to call for fire in the "real world". I found a plumbing company that would hire me green,knowing nothing of the trade because there was a housing boom, and they needed all the hands they could get. I worked for that company for 8 years, becoming the foreman after only 2 years.The market crashed however, and 3 years ago my boss started letting people go. I was the last remaining employee when I was released last March. 2 months later the company filed bankruptcy. I searched for 5 months to find a new job to support my family, and made the decision to go back to school, only to find that I had 36 months of GI bill , and 11 months to use it before my 10 years was up. I am currently a 4.0 student, working full time, and going to school full time, and raising a 5 year old daughter. In November, my time runs out, and I will have no degre, and thousands of dollars in unused benefits, and no way to extend it...

[Terry Howell]

Jim L. - Please note that this BLOG has several articles about the inequities of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Check out the previous articles to learn more. http://military-education.military.com/

Guido - There is quite a bit of content on transferability also, which is still not been made official by the DoD, who has authority over that portion of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

[Jill]

I served during 9/11 and when I got out went to a trade school and recieved the GI Bill. Every penny of it went to the school and left me a remaining balance of almost 7,000 dollars which I am struggling to pay back. I think my repay plan is basically 51 dollars a month for the rest of my life..and I am not even working right now. :( I have a 5 year old daughter and a son with a disability.

[jodie]

As usual our government muddies the waters. Make it simple. Cut it up into X amount of dollars for 5 years, 10 years 20 year retiree, Combat disabled etc.. with no time limit and if you don't use it your dependants can. SIMPLE, Done.

[p]

I just want to know what the gi bill is for. Is it something that my daughter paid into while in the military. Or is it something that is given to her because she was in. Please explain to me. I am using a friends emial.

Thanks

[Tim]

I agree that the government should not put a cap on the time frame you should be able to attend school. I was unable to complete college during the 10 year time frame due to having to support and care for my family. If you pay into it, you should be able to use your benefits until they are gone, regardless of what you are pursuing. Some folks have issues getting the VA benefits for certain programs and pay out of pocket like I did for my 2 year technical school (VA wouldn't pay). So I have that loan, plus the loans for my college that I didn't get to complete, and I used one year of my GI Bill and now its past the 10 year mark. What gives? Would that be considered stealing money from veterans since we paid into that program?

[Guido Bell]

How do I find out if my Education Benefit can be transfered to my son who's in college? I am a POST 9/11 retiree.

[Whitney Gibson]

I think the inequity in the housing stipend is discriminatory. If you are taking online courses--you have housing expenses: 1) If you live on campus 2) If you live off campus but attend on campus and 3) If you are taking online courses. It upsets me that veterans who opt to take courses at home are getting nothing towards housing. They are most likely doing so because the college program they are interested in isn't available locally or in their own state, or they are not ready to be in the public classrooms yet. Regardless, they still have expenses and this stipend issue discriminates against them.

[Denise R.]

I agree with Michael Ainsworth above. If they would have extended the Montgomery GI Bill time limit or removed the time limit, it would have benefited so many people.

My husband was unable to use most of his GI Bill benefit that he earned do to life and family commitments. He was originally told that he had 10 to start using the Bill and then 10 more years to finish school. Evidently the was misinformation that costs us dearly.

I am glad they have this new GI Bill, but it makes me feel that they think post 9/11 veterans are the only veterans who count or need help. I hope they remove the time limit from the old GI Bill and it would be great if they would make it retroactive for at least a few years. Then people like my husband who started school before their benefit expired to continue to use the bill.

Helping veterans should be a top priority of this country...ALL VETERANS. Then we can worry about dog parks and other "pet" projects after the important things are taken care of.

[Lillian Dickson]

I'm wondering why the new G.I. Bill will no longer cover technical nor trade schools that are eligible under the current G.I. Bill. It will only cover college or university programs. College is not for everyone and every job does not require college. Why shouldn't a person wishing to attend a trade school for whatever reason be eligible for the same benefits as people who choose to attend a college or university?

[mirat]

If colleges and universities wish to receive VA students/tuition, they should simply arrange to collect monies when their 'service' is complete--when the student receives his/her final grade, the government releases the money.

[Jim Landerkin]

It is interesting to note that this article does not discuss the apparent inequities in the current law where active duty servicemembers are not eligible for the book stipend and distance-learning students are not eligible for the housing allowance.

These aspects of the current law create discrimination between veterans who have opted for distance learning programs and those who choose to pursue in-classroom programs. In many cases, disabled or single-parent vets may not have the ability to attend in-classroom courses, and they are being unfairly penalized by this law.

Servicemembers who intend to use the new benefit while on active duty will be penalized by not being eligible for the $1,000/year book stipend.

In my opinion, there is no factual or reasonable basis for the discrimination caused by these two aspects of the current law.

[Michael Ainsworth]

One thing I would like to see if they would ever consider is the 10 year maximum time alloted to use the GI Bill. I beleive it should be used until you receive your first Bachelors Degree. Since VA reps constanly review what is allowed by degree plan, there would be no variance from the original degree. I personally have had to cram in order to use my GI Bill because I had to provide for my family and had to choose between school or taking care of them.

[Andy]

I can see how some may think that a nationwide average for a living expense may be the easiest and most equal way to set a standard. I have to disagree though. If a nationwide average is made standard, where does that leave veterans in high cost of living areas like LA or NY? It would be highly unfair for those in these economic climates to be under the cost of living while someone in say, Alabama is receiving a rate well above the cost of living. There are alot of angles to this issue, just as there are varying expenses in each location. Keeping a rate based on zipcode would be the most appropriate route to take in this matter.

[Vincent]

I agree with Terry, the GI Bill should have been different from the begining, the tuition rate should have been an average across the Nation rate and the stipend (living allowance) would be based on the national average. this would help VA implement the new GI Bill, and stop all the worry of inequality. also send the money to the student instead of the school. right now the system is not broken ... the student pays the school out of his or her pocket with no issues.