Veterans Vent Over Post-9/11 GI Bill

The following member comments were taken from the Military Education Blog. The comments are a sampling of veteran reaction to issues they have faced or are concerned about with the Post-9/11 GI Bill and GI Bill programs in general. A large number of the comments are based on the issues of time limits, inequity, and GI Bill benefit transferability.

The following comments have been edited to ensure general accuracy. However, the comments reflect the opinion of our membership and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com

Member Comments:

The POST 911 bill is nothing like it was proclaimed to be at its birth. DOD is now stating that to transfer your benefits not only do you have to be on active duty as of 1 Aug 09, you also must have had 6 years of continuous service at that time and sign on to complete an additional 4 yrs. That hardly recognizes the contributions of veterans that were serving on active duty during the initial ground war as well as all of the deployments that followed for almost 10 years.

Posted by: Greg | March 10, 2009 at 10:12 AM

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As you're probably aware, [most] 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!!!!!

[To find your locally elected Senator and Representatives visit the Military.com Legislative Center]

Posted by: BP | March 09, 2009 at 07:02 PM

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I think the inequity in the housing stipend [in the Post 9/11] GI Bill is discriminatory.

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.

Posted by: Whitney Gibson | March 04, 2009 at 06:12 AM

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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

Posted by: K. Keawe | March 08, 2009 at 10:59 PM

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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.

Posted by: Andy | March 04, 2009 at 01:12 AM

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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 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 wrote to my Congressman 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 9/11/2001. What about those of us who have served before that bill? I feel that there should not be any type of restrictions other than someone receiving a dishonorable discharge.

Posted by: Petra Cooper | March 06, 2009 at 05:50 PM

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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 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 since I pulled 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 account 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.

Posted by: Donald S Walker | March 06, 2009 at 03:52 PM

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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........

Posted by: andrew | March 05, 2009 at 10:21 PM

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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.

Posted by: jeff | March 05, 2009 at 02:00 AM

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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

Posted by: Don | March 04, 2009 at 08:05 PM

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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 delimitating 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 veteran, 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?

Posted by: Chad | March 04, 2009 at 07:39 PM

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The VA told me last week that this [transferability] 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...

Posted by: Jeff P. | March 04, 2009 at 07:39 PM

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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 Loan guarantee and can use it multiple times.

Posted by: Tim | March 04, 2009 at 04:58 PM

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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.

Posted by: Frank Carpenter | March 04, 2009 at 04:09 PM

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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!

Posted by: Bill G. | March 04, 2009 at 03:57 PM

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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 GI BILL should include all veterans who fell in the VEAP twilight zone.

Posted by: Anne | March 04, 2009 at 03:19 PM

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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.

Posted by: Casey | March 04, 2009 at 01:53 PM

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If we're talking inequity; why aren'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.

Posted by: Randy | March 04, 2009 at 12:36 PM

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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 to 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.

Posted by: marcos | March 04, 2009 at 09:16 AM

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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 degree and thousands of dollars in unused benefits, and no way to extend it.

Posted by: David Giltner | March 04, 2009 at 07:25 AM

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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.)

Posted by: Jill | March 04, 2009 at 06:57 AM

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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.

Posted by: jodie | March 04, 2009 at 06:57 AM

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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?

Posted by: Tim | March 04, 2009 at 06:42 AM

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I agree. 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.

Posted by: Denise R. | March 04, 2009 at 05:39 AM

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I'm wondering why the new [Post-9/11] 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?

Posted by: Lillian Dickson | March 04, 2009 at 05:32 AM

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Please note that the above comments reflect the opinion of our membership and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com

Comments

[Ernest Maymi]

I don't understand this I served honorable during post 9/11 and was ready and willing to deploy in support of OEF/OIF if ordered. We are part of the team even if we did't go to OEF/OIF I can tell you we supported the operations by working and preparing the Reservist/National Guard that were deployed. When the Senate passed the bill they were refering to all active duty personnel that served during 9/11 not just title 10. "Some National Guard and Active Guard Reserve Deemed Ineligible
The VA has determined that there is no section of the existing statute that will allow them to authorize eligibility for members of the National Guard or Active Guard Reserve (AGR) serving under title 32, U.S.C.." I will write my congressman and any AGR and National Guard on active duty should do the same.

[tim]

Why is it that the GI Bill for pre-9/11 vets less than the post? Also, why is it that we only have 10 years to spend it? Shouldn't vets be able to benefit from the GI Bill, regardless of how long it takes to use it?
I will give you an example of why I think that we should be able to use the Bill at anytime...I have worked in the oilfield for 8 years...I just got laid off 2 months ago..I only have 7 months left to utilize the Bill...I am planning to go to college, but the semester doesnt start until June...So, I have a life changing event, cant afford to go to school really, and since I have a wife and 6 kids now...so, I guess my question really is, can this be changed to where there is no time limits to use the Bill and can it be made that the benefits are the same across the board...a veteran is a veteran, and I dont think that it is fair that a post 9/11 vet should get more than me...I was not coaxed into joining the miltary just as a college incentive, I wanted to serve my country honorably and I dont feel that the benefits should be any different from me to any other vet.

[Kevin]

Wow, I can't believe that people are complaining about this bill. I used the GI Bill after coming back from the Gulf War and it was pathetically tiny. I'm still in debt from going to a state university. The current Iraq vets are getting everything they could possibly need and then some to be successful. No, the GI Bill should not be transferable to spouses or children. I had to pay in $1200.00 to get my little crappy GI Bill benefits (oh yeah, did I mention the Air Force missile that killed three of my friends in Iraq while I was 200 meters away?) Today we are giving the best of benefits to servicemembers who sat on a fortified base in Iraq drinking Starbuck's coffee and eating the best chow anyone ever had in a "war zone"??? (Oh yeah, did I mention that I signed up again after 09/11 and went to Iraq? I know what I'm talking about!!) So if you are complaining about this new GI Bill then go get your head examined. If you actually did participate in real combat, then I apologize to you, but for everyone else who has their hand out looking for another 'freebee' from the government...you're pathetic.

[Larry Sigurdson]

There are consequences to elections and I am very concerned about what the new Congress and Administration have in mind for all of us veterans.

We've already seen a trial balloon from the White House suggesting that wounded heroes should pay for their own injuries and medical care. One year ago this was unthinkable.

My expectation is for the VA to become very anti-veteran and for Congress to de-fund all Veterans programs. I also expect Congress and the President to strip the DoD of new weapons systems, close bases, shrink the Navy and Air Force and make dramatic personnel cuts.

We've seen this before and it is only a short while later when a belligerent, two-bit dictator challenges a weakened USA and demonstrates the need for strength to back up diplomacy.

[Tim]

I delayed my retirement six month to fall into transferability. I enlisted during the VEAP program and declined. Now after 25 years, not only did I earn three degrees, primarily with tuition assistance programs, I have a education benifit. I will transfer the benefit to my two sons and avoid taking out a second mortgage to pay for their college education.

[Ralph]

The original GI Bill was for veterans of a World War. In a "just" democracy some form of that original GI Bill would be available to "all" who served. The first strike was ending that benefit on Jan 1st 1977. When did the MGIB originate, 1982? 1985? VEAP was the first truncation of taking away. VEAP and all other B.S. education programs should have been eliminated and MGIB available. The simple fact that all veterans are not the same should not surprise us - it should just be accepted by all of us. We have a self-serving Congress that has operated for multiple decades and education has always been a pile of money to play with in State budgets - it stood to figure that veteran benefits were easier to do with as they willed. If you were in a peace time military you deserve nothing - no matter that myself and others of you served and retired or just left. If you weren't in one of the conflicts your service to our country means less than if you had been in an unfriendly situation. We should have been where the conflicts were and maimed or killed to deserve any benefits. Just smile and salute the flag boys.

[Chief O]

Webmaster post this on top. MOST OF YOU FOLKS SHOULD READ THIS FIRST! Here's the ground truth of what the post 911 GI bill should do. First we take care of our fallen brother's and sister's families to the max extent. Enough said! Then we take care of our disabled comrades and their families to the max extent. I know in my heart that all the patriots/vets I served with would selflessly give their share to take care of those who earned it the most. Anything left over is gravy. God bless America and all of us (few) who serve, live and die to defend it.

[Glenn]

The whole military educational system needs a bottom up review; It is not right that some veterans get access to programs like upward bound, while others cannot take advantage of this program, it is a double standard. The US government has historically promised it's soldiers certain benefits only to lie to and BS the soldiers. You can bet congress will get it's share of the pie, why not do RIGHT and give the military folk a break?

[Sick & Disgusted w/ Post 9-11 GIs]

As a prior-service veteran and wife of a retired Amy veteran, I'm disgusted at how these "new veterans" are treated like they walk on water. What makes these soldiers any better than any other veteran who served before them? As an employee at a VA Med Ctr, these "new vets" are placed in appointment slots to be seen within 30 days, while other vets (Vietnam, Korea, etc.) are put on the back burner and told to wait. I ask again: What makes these "new vets" any better than any other veteran. Now they complain about their education benefits when some serve on active duty for less than a full enlistment. What about the other veterans like my husband who LOST their education benefits due to the 10-Year Deadline?? The Vietnam vets came back to the states only to have rocks thrown at them; and now these 'newbies' come home to a damned heroes welcome.

[Russ, 30 yr. marine E-9]

I think that you all must understand that the government is only interested in whats best for the government, not for any one else. The gov. will throw billions at AIG and give the Vets the shaft. Was there a time limit on AIG, I didn't see one! So if you think they (us gov.) really cares, your'e in for a big surprise! As most of you have figured out already. You have to approach it in the manner of you are first and fight from there. No one will help you unless you can find away to make it part of their problem first. Call all of your gov. reps. and let them know what you think. This is probably a good first step, see how many have your same problem and get all to get in touch with your reps. You signed a contract voluntarily and know you will have to pay even if its not fair..No body ever said the world or life would be fair. So dig in and fight like your life depends on it, it does in many instances.
God Bless all you Vets
Semper Fi

[Russ, 30 yr. marine E-9]

I think that you all must understand that the government is only interested in whats best for the government, not for any one else. The gov. will throw billions at AIG and give the Vets the shaft. Was there a time limit on AIG, I didn't see one! So if you think they (us gov.) really cares, your'e in for a big surprise! As most of you have figured out already. You have to approach it in the manner of you are first and fight from there. No one will help you unless you can find away to make it part of their problem first. Call all of your gov. reps. and let them know what you think. This is probably a good first step, see how many have your same problem and get all to get in touch with your reps. You signed a contract voluntarily and know you will have to pay even if its not fair..No body ever said the world or life would be fair. So dig in and fight like your life depends on it, it does in many instances.
God Bless all you Vets
Semper Fi

[Alex]

From reading some of these post, you would think that military veterans are the biggest whiners on the planet. Please, remove these comments before N. Korea or Iran think that we're a bunch of illiterate bunches and just complain about everything. In this day and age where the internet gives you access to information without even leaving your living room, there is no excuse to not research the policies of the MGIB. The internet as we know it has been around since the early 1990s. If you can't read college is probably not for you anyways and you'll end up as a drop out statistic. Keep blaming the 1st Sgt, the E-1 at outprocessing etc etc. No one is to blame but yourself.

[Keith]

I have been reading the posts and am quite bewildered. One of the complaint posts that get to me it the E-5 BAH rates by zip code. It only makes sense that it is paid by zip code it cost much more to go to school and live in say CA then MO. If you don't like the rate in TX or AL then go to school in a high BAH state and then you will see why. No inequities in the BAH part of the post 9/11 bill. I retired from the Army in OCT 2006 with 22.5 years of service. I feel I as so many other VETs do we deserve compensation for our service, but some of us expects way too much. Hang in there and learn on your own read research do your own informing.

[Marcos]

I agree that certian things like no time limit to use your benefits, and transferability should be for all vets past & present, active & reserve. I don't agree with all these garrison vets wanting the same benefits as wartime vets, and same goes for reserve vets wanting equal benefits as the active vets. It just makes no sense.

[David J Howell]

To all of you veterans out there who feel you've been slighted by the military, here's some advice. Go to your local VA office. Take all of your paperwork, DD214s, awards, and other items reflecting your military service with you. Sit down with a representative. Let them go over all of your records. I've been in the same situations most of you have described. I was suprised to find out that under certain circumstances, my GI Bill entitlement end date kept gettting moved forward everytime I did a deployment. I still have 14 months of GI Bill benefits, and I originally applied in 1987! My end date for the GI Bill is in 2012!! Having a service connected disability didn't hurt (no pun intended) either. Don't give up!! I've had a little drama with the VA recently, but that didn't stop me from applying!! Get in there and apply for your benefits!

[gary neller]

I hear them!I was on the carrier enterprise got out of navy tried
to us my benefits. They payed me
336.00 each month the class I went
to cost me guess 336. each month,
one month I recieved 2 checks since we had no food or money to
pay bills,or live guess what I did
with one of those checks our gover-ment sent me a letter the next mon-
th that stated we over payed you 336. you will not recieve a check
this month the school wanted their
money so I was kicked out of the
heating/a/c/refrigerating school
after 2 months The rest I did with
Gods help not are system so I agree with most all I hear.

[ibsteve2u]

The GI Bill benefit expiration limits are particularly asinine.

Those who suffer from PTSD and display the resultant symptom set may need a decade or two to GTST (get their .... together).

Beyond that, this PNAC war has seen untold numbers of head injuries. It may take decades for the brain to heal itself, or for medicine to advance enough to offer compensatory treatment.

But when the veteran finally is able to think clearly enough to go to school they are told:

"Sorry, you are too late. Those are the rules, you know. Now be good little boys and girls and go die.

Quietly."

[dave]

Another thing I didn’t see mentioned, but worth looking into for those of you like me that paid into the MGI Bill. After finishing 32 semester hours (Not totally sure) of school, you can request a refund for the original amount you paid into the program. I think $1200.00 bucks (I don’t remember since it was over 20 years ago I paid into it) All I know, it was a big chunk of change back then. Remember, the folks coming in now are NOT paying into the program and everyone is eligible so long and they meet the timelines and do not receive bad conduct discharge.

Sorry to all those vets who think they are entitled for whatever their situation is, but like anything in the military, timing is everything. I missed the boating on the straight-up 50% retirement and many other things that would have helped, but I’m not complaining sometimes you’re lucky, sometimes you aren’t.

Good luck!

[EP]

Gentlemen, this is getting ridiculous. If you were too dumb to do some basic research such looking up information on the internet or calling and talking to the VA then frankly I feel no sympathy for you. How hard is it to find that the GI Bill has a time limit? I mean come on, some of you people claim to have did 5 to 20 years active duty and have been out long enough to go past the 10 year limit and you don’t know whats going on? Thats almost 30 freaking years people! Nobody’s going to hold your hand all the time. And to the USN vet asking why Iraq vets are so much better. No offense brother but if your comparing your service and hardships to an Army or Marine grunt that served in Iraq or Afghanistan you are out of your mind. Its called the POST 9//11 GI BILL. News flash the government is not going to just start handing out money.

[John]

I am relocating to Georgia in a month, then attending school full time in the fall. The highest the new GI Bill will pay in Georgia is $203 per credit, $2436 per semester. I can't even find a community college in the whole state of Georgia that is anywhere close to that cheap for out-of-state tuition. However, Texas is going to recieve $1,333 per credit hour, $12,130 per semester. There are several colleges in Texas offering tuiton for out-of-state students for half that price. This seems to be a huge discrepancy Meantime, How am I supposed to afford the living cost? $1203 a month is excellent, but not going to cover living in Atlanta area or even outside of Atlanta. Between gas and food for the month, I'm looking at around $400. Plus car insurance, then rent and utilities. Looks like i'm working full time while going to school full time. Usually people have a couple extra dollars in their pocket from the GI Bill, I think I will be among the few that will be in debt thousands of dollars going to school under it. Good God!

[jonathan allen]

no matter what the wording the gov. puts on the gi bill or post 9/11 gi bill. all who have served, should recieve educational benefits. we who have shed blood, sweat and tears for our country should get more than a free lunch, a pat on the back, or a handshake for our service. the govt. should rethink how they decide how to "take care of it's veterans."

[JP]

"Nobody told me..."
"They told me the wrong information..."
"I didn't know..."

Hmmm...see something in common here among the posts? What's the lesson to be learned here? Never, ever assume that the education office or personnel people will have all the answers or even tell you all the info you need to know. Take responsibility and research the rules yourself so you won't get caught holding the bag. You have no one but yourself to blame if you lose your benefits.

[Mrs. Susan K. Lapp]

I have to agree with Mr/Mrs Petra Cooper I Hope They Do Not Mind. But, My Husband Has Been A Veteran And Was In The United States Navy, Was Honorably Discharched in 1978 and We were going to use it toward's a Home. After, We had been renting from so many other's to live and build a Family (Children). We had , My Husband had just found out that in order , due to it being 20 yrs. or so, that he has no more availability to u7se his GI BILL & If he is to use it now He May ONLY USE it for Schooling! Why & How is that right on what the time limit is!? My & Many Other Souses Out There In AMERICA, SERVED THIS & THEIR COUNTRY FOR 4, 6, 10, Etc. Yrs!!!; Since When does anyone get the right to tell them or take it from them, or say they can no longer use it for A Home nowdue to Time Lapses!!! This Is SO UNFAIR! I COULD SEE IF SOMEONE GOT A DISHONORABLE DISCHARGE BUT, NOT MY HUSBAND, OR MANY MANY OTHER;'S!!!
THEY (& MY HUSBAND) SERVED THEIR & OUR COUNTRY FOR US!!! THIS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THEM AT WHATEVER TIME THEY WISH & WHATEVER THEY WISH TO USE IT FOR!!!

I AM ASHAMED TO BE AN AMERICAN IF THIS IS THE WAY THE GOVERNMENT WORKS!? WITH ALL DUE RESPECT!!! Sincerely,
PROUD VETERAN'S WIFE,
OF THE USN!
Mrs. Susan K. Lapp
Cresskill, N.J.
Susan94799@aol.com

[Miss Ahmed]

As a USN Veteran I agree with the additional veteran benefits regarding the tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001, we earned it. What I do have a problem with is the fact that not only did I serve before and after 9/11, my ship was sent to New York for it and then to find out that because I went to school already (between the years of 05-08) and used the old GI Bill that I’m not eligible for a 12 month extension (that I was originally told that I had by the VA when the 9/11 bill was first announced) but now that’s been taken away. I feel as if the veterans that chose to continue their education after exiting active duty are suffering because we didn’t wait for the POST 9/11 bill that has just been developed (better benefits that we earned). Then on top of the money paid into the bill, we get nothing back, but with the new bill no money has to be put into it and they get way more out of it. I am being told constantly by the VA that bills and rules are constantly changing and that nothing will be definite until August 2009. So, until then what are veterans to do? And as I was reading the above comments, I hadn’t realized that there were issues and stipulations on transferring the benefits to family members too. So, to all veterans having a hard time with the VA I understand and I hope and pray that matters get better, not only for us but our future military personnel and veterans as well.

[GLC]

GO TO YOUR LOCAL VA CENTER PEOPLE, THEY HAVE LOTS OF INFORMATION FOR VETS

[Marcus Garcia]

The GI Bill has ALWAYS given you 10 years from the time you were no longer affiliated to use your benefits. If you opted not to use them in this time period, TOUGH S#$T If you pulled your money out of some other program, WHY should you still be allowed to get more? (TOUGH S#$T) If you did not serve on Active Duty POST 9/11 (the name says it all), then once again TOUGH S#$T. If you missed the fine print, TOUGH S#$T
Ignorance has NEVER been a defense and it should not be now. 10 years has ALWASY been the standard, and being able to transfer your GI BILL has NOT always been possible, so if you happen to be wanting to tranfer your benefits and your program or enlistment timeframe doesn't allow it, TOUGH S#$T

People, you have all got to realize that many things in life have expiration dates--the GI Bill is able to help so many people because some others neglect to use their benefits. That is WHY it works. If everyone took advantage of the benefits, then the program would be losing money. Get over it and quit crying

[Lee]

I am reading all these comments and I am thinking, "Don't you people read?" Its called "Post 9/11 GI Bill". If you didn't serve post 9/11 you are not entitled to it, PERIOD. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a "retention" tool, its designed to retain quality personnel not to help dependents of personnel that get out instead. Stop complaining. If you have been out 10 years, your MGIB benefits have expired. If you took money out of your VEAP your not entitled to it. Don't say "no one told me", they are not obligated to. The only one responsible is YOU.

I served 20 years retiring in 2008. Was in the Pentagon during 9/11. I filed a VA claim under the Benefits Delivery At Discharge program. I received a 90% disability rating less than 4 months after I retired. I am entitled to the Post 9/11 GI Bill even though I contributed to the MGIB. Did anyone tell me about all these benefits? some yes, most no, I researched them myself. If you take charge of your own life you will do better rather than requiring everyone else to lead you by your hand.

If I offended anyone, I apologize. After reading these comments for some time I had to step up and make mine known.

[Everett Harper]

When I was honorably discharged from the Marines(Semper FI to all you devil dogs(, I decided not to go to school right away, I was able to get a good job. After a couple decent jobs starting in 1984 when I got out, I hooked on to, at the time, a decent company and was with them for 20 1/2 years. My company was bought by another company, the buying company always seem to keep the their people no matter the skill level. I was released after 20 1/2 years with no pension. I have been off active duty for 25 yeas but I am still a Marine and at no time was I ever told I had a 10 time limit to complete my education. I now need it and it is not available. When I was being discharged, I was rotating back from Iwakuni W-95 to Camp Pendelton, so all they wanted was my paper work completed and me out the gate, so it was done so fast the skipped some major steps, such as thing that would help me or that I needed. The 1st Sgt was an ASS and just wanted required paperwork and you out the door.

Semper FI Do or Die !!
Fight the good fight, but do it right.
Cpl Everett Patrick Harper
Albany MCLB and Iwakuni 6th FASC Det A 3 FSSG

[Robert Rife]

I served 13 years active duty in the USN and the USAR. I was not able to to attend college right away due to when I first went in in 1992 the pay was so bad that it was hardly enough for a family on E-2 pay to live in San Diego. We were actually from E-6 and below pay wise considered living below the poverty level. Because my family and I had racked up so much debt due to lack of money, when I got out to make a better life for my family, I had a ton of bills to pay off and was not able to go to college immediately. 2 years ago I started using my montgomery GI bill benefits and a year and a half after starting I was informed that I hit my deliminating date. I had 2 1/2 years left they said that I cannot use!!! This is Bull!! I served my country honorably doing 2 tours in the gulf and it seems like I just get a slap in the face!! I feel as if I am being discriminated against due to all the students that are in the reserves now get all these great benefits in the new GI bill and all the other VETS who have already PROVED themselves dont matter anymore just because we were in a different campaign. What makes Iraqi vets better than us? Even when I filed for disability for an injury sustained while active duty, I was told my file would go to the bottom of the stack and probably take 2 years to be looked at when my friend I was in the army with just got back and there is nothing wrong with him gets all his stuff approved (nothing wrong with him and he gets unemployment the WHOLE time he is in school, and is still in the reserves getting 1100 a month in disability on top of that) and my VA rep tells me that Iraqi vets come before all vets and they pretty much get whatever they want. Good thing for me, the state of Indiana has programs for vets that are better than the FEDERAL broke D--k program. Due to the fact that my father was a vietnam veteran I get what is called the remission of fees program. If your a vet and you sit one foot in a region which is considered a war zone, your children get a full ride to any college in indiana and they pay for room and board for first year. All 4 years of college are 100% free minus books. I researched this program and since I was in the gulf war, my children go to school free or I can adopt anyone up until the age of 25 and they get free college. In fact since they never declared the war over in the gulf to be over, If you were ever over there since the gulf war ended up until today you are elgible. You just take your DD214 to the local veterans office and they verify you were there or in any war zone and it is one piece of paper you fill out and you carry it to your bursars office at school and they zero out your account for 4 years. undergrad or grad school. doesnt matter how much it costs. Nice to know the state of Indiana loves their vets while congress loves to steal from them. Guess thats why there is so much deception in the Federal system so they can promise you stuff only to not deliver due to a technicallity and give themselves pay raises to pay for their planes and yachts and dont let me forget, help pay for the 1 trillon dollars a year given to illegal aliens for benefits which takes away from the American People. All I have to say is I love my country, but to the military who doesnt care about me anymore, "NEVER AGAIN" and Indiana, "THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR VETS"!! HIGHLY APPRECIATED!!!!

[bill]

I would like to say to all VETERANS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I am sorry the VA is treating you like they are. I wish every young man and woman would realize this when they sign up for the military. Nothing is what they offer you when you are out.
To all the Vietnam Veterans, any illness you have, from the war, take it to the VA and apply for medical benefits.
A neighbor didnt know he could get benefits for some of the illness's he got when he was in Vietnam.
He applied, and did.
So pass this along to all of your fellow comrades, also all you other war veterans, do the same.
They will not ask you, you have to fight them to get your rights.
Bill

[Elise]

Why don't you GI's get together and have someone offer legislation on your behalf? You are correct that this country does owe you something - at least what they promised when you signed up, I would think. As a country, it is high time to Stand Behind Those Who Serve.

[Steve]

As usual the Poloticians are at work screwing the Military personnel while they give themseveles a big pay raise etc. Guys this has been going on for years get use to it will never end until we a Commander in Chief like Kennedy who appreaciates what the military is ( ALL GAVE SOME' A SOME GAVE ALL)

[Mark]

I served for 24 years in the military. Why should I only have a 10 year period to use my GI bill benefits?

[Brad]

WOW. How much more bitching can you get!?

Everyone's post I have read so far has an excuse. geeeeeeeeeeeez

Take responsibility because, for each one of you who didn't get to use theirs and has a sob story, there are 20 people to that one who have successfully used there's.

[Josh F.]

What this forum shows me is that people will bitch about anything. There will never be a 100% solution. Everyone wants something a little different based on their situation and thinks their view and rationale tilts the argument in their favor. The fact is the new GI Bill is an incredible bonus that some people get and others won't. Within the military some rates/designators get bonuses that others don't. The allowance for uniforms between Officer and Enlisted can be seen as inequitable. Be happy the military offers you something of value as appreciation for doing your job. It is not obligated to do so.