VA to Accept New GI Bill Applications May 1

By Terry Howell

News from the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill Website:

"Starting May 1, 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs will begin accepting applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The application form is available online."

"The form requires that individuals currently eligible for another education benefit make an irrevocable election from their existing program to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Typically individuals who are eligible for more than one benefit may use a combined total of 48 months of entitlement. Therefore, for those individuals eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) program, please be advised that if you have entitlement remaining under the MGIB, the number of months of Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement you will be eligible for will be equal to the number of months remaining under MGIB. However, if you exhaust all of your MGIB entitlement, then you may be entitled to a maximum of 12 additional months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill."

"Starting May 1, 2009 VA will begin processing applications for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and you will receive a letter explaining VA’s decision regarding your eligibility for the program. Payments for the Post-9/11 GI Bill will not be processed until August 1, 2009."

"Click here to access the application form which includes instructions for submitting completed applications."

FYI - Those who are using the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) and do not plan to switch to the Post-9/11 GI Bill will not be required to submit a new application (VA-22-1990 or 22-1995).

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LEARN MORE:

Please read the other blog entries on the Military Education Blog or visit http://www.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/learn-to-use-your-gi-bill to learn more. In addition you should go to the VA website www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-GIBILL-1 to get the information straight from the VA.

Do not rely on the comments below, while some are accurate, many are not.

Comments

[Richard Ornelas]

What do I have to do to change my GI Bill to my daughter she wants to start college in September 2009 what must I do to make this happen. I would appreciate any help on this matter.

[Steven Fisher]

Hey Dave Keys saw you asking about the GI Bill and the 50k college fund. not sure of your reasoning or understood your (modern) comment however I can explain the college fund and how it coincides with the GI Bill since I to have it. Email me at Steven@CreatingWealthOnline.ws if you want to know..

[ERIC]

Is the 911 GI Bill transferable to my kid that is about to graduate from high school???

[john]

i am 100%
what do i have to do for my daughter she well finish high school next yr.2010
thank you john

[Dave Keys]

Hey guys! What an opportunity. Its great the gi bill has been reformed to a more modern use. I had no plans on using the old gi bill simply because it was not feasible. I do have one Q. When I enlisted, I acquired the GI bill as well as an additional 50k for school. Now.. I have been searching all over for info on this. What happens to that bonus? Anyone have a link or idea?

[B ART]

Can some tell me, when they say you must serve on active duty does that mean those individuals that were activated for overseas duty during 911?
I was a AGR under title 32 during that time and continued to serve from 1990-2009 and I was never activated for any conflict(s) duties. I am retired now and would like to know if I can be considered for the new gi-bill chapter 33. Virtual MPF shows that I declined the original GI bill. But I never did such a thing and, was never notified about this error.
I did not find this out until I went to apply for school.

[Anthony]

I am about to exhaust the remaining of my Active Duty Chp 30 MGIB at the end of the fall semseter, 09'.
In the above statement it talks about "However, if you exhaust all of your MGIB entitlement, then you may be entitled to a maximum of 12 additional months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill."
How exactly does this work? I served for 30 months but less than 36 months after 9/11. Anyone have any idea how you can qualify for the total of 48 months or 12 months after the 36?

[John Whitmer, CMSgt, USFAR]

I served on active duty from 1958 to 1963 and retired from the Reserves in 1999. Am I eligible for G.I. Bill?

[Ronnie Newsome]

It's people like that Kimberly S Smith (Apr30 comment) that makes me glad that I finally retired. Probably sat behind a desk all day "barking" orders and telling everyone that life's not fair to women. If people have questions, Let them ask!!

[Dan]

I was discharged in 1982 after 9 years in the Army. I used part of my GI Bill. Am I still able to use any more of it now?

[John C Jamison Jr.]

The key to all that was said in this post is the school you want to attend. I want everyone here to go to Capella.com and look at what they offer. It’s an online school but it’s not like the other online schools you see on TV. This is a real school in Minneapolis Minnesota. Fully credited school that is ranked number 2 or 3 under the GI Bill for accepting veterans such as our self's. Fact of the matter is you can go to any school you want, it is just being able to actually go to it. I work a full time job now that I’m out of the Army and have no time to go into the class room, and Capella has really worked with me in that aspect. However, there is one problem with the GI Bill. It does not recognize accelerated programs. Most semesters take about 4 months where at Capella it is only 10 weeks. Problem is that the GI Bill will not pay on the schools terms. The GI Bill pays each month and will not Pay Twice in one month even if it is necessary because you going to be starting a new semester. Now if you pay for it out of pocket, I think maybe 8 times in 3 years. You can get that money back from the GI Bill after filling all the right paper work, which takes a long time, but you will have a real credited degree in no time; 2 years if you go over the summer and you will not have to quit your job and can still support yourself and your family. If you need any help about this school, please feel free to email me. I know the GI Bill person at this school (his name is Jon Hayes) and he has helped me a lot I got so much out of him that I feel I need to share that with all of you. Again feel free to email me and ill tell you some tricks I learned along the way.
Jj.

[john]

has anyone heard anything about h.r. 950? Is it likely that it will pass?

[tgmusnret95]

I retired from acive duty in 1995.
I was on active duty from Jan 31 1970 thru Jul 23 1980. I then reinlisted on Feb 02 1985 and retired on Feb 01 1995. I was able to obtain (almost 4 cr hrs short of) an AS degree during active duty. Once I was out and working in the civilian community, there was no time for school, with a job , and a family life to use any of my GI benefits. My question is, are there any programs available out there through the VA for re-training a Retiree? I've been unemployed for 15 mos.
Thanks
tgmusnret

[Heywood_Jablomee]

"Don't be in a rush!!!"
“The program that is best for the individual veteran is not always going to be the Post-9/11 GI Bill.”

I don't understand this. How can another program be better for me if I want to attend college. Isn't the reason for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill to pay for any state tuition of my choice?

What other program can be better for me than that??

[Brent]

Fred,
Depending on how much you have left in the current GI Bill, you may want to wait to reapply. I only have two months left on the current one and if I reapplied now I would only recieve the new benefits for 2 months. If I exhaust my current benefits, I can reaply and recieve an additional 12 months.

[Mike]

To echo Patrick Gearhart, we definately got the short end, it should be a life time, but one time benefit for the schooling.

[Terry Howell]

Fred - If you think you are eligible you must apply. They will not automatically enroll you.

[Fred]

If you already use Gibill do you have to reapply for post 9/11?

[Terry Howell]

Jason - Don't be in a rush. The VA has got a lot to sort out still. I reccommned giving it another month and check back in with your coordinator.

[Jason Smith]

I am am going to school under CH. 31 vocational rehabilitation program. I called my coordinator and they said they do now know how to make the switch seamlessly. The VA website says talk to your coordinator. What do you do if your coordinator is clueless?

[JOSE H CARRASCO]

I'm under the 1607 reap program, can I sign up for this 9/11 I was activated for 9/11 for 1 year and stayed on on voluntary orders for another 5 years while serving in the USAFR

[Kimberly S White]

OMG, i have been reading these questions and i just want to scream.....read people, read. 95% of the above questions are answered on the VA.GOV website...jeez. It took me 10-15 minutes to read and understand the benefits and ramifications of the post 9/11 GI Bill.Leave space for the questions that are not answered on the website.

[JP]

Terry,

Thanks for posting, at least a couple times, direction that eligibility specific questions should not be asked in this forum. Unfortunately, the folks here can't read. I don't know how they think they can go to college if they do't have the smarts to go to the VA website to read it for themselves. Or is it simply a matter of laziness and they want someone else to do it for them? What ignorance or society has breeded.

[navyman85]

Kelly you're full of baloney! I too, joined in 1985 and was offered the Montgomery GI bill in boot camp. An open season was also initiated probably a year or 2 after 1985 wherein those that did not sign up was allowed to sign up. So don't be saying that it was not offered to you because that's not true.

[mavaega]

I graduated from high school, and I recieved an acceptance letter from the New Mexico academy,and I am waiting for a G.I Bill,because I don't want to go off island.So is there any help or am I qualified for this.

[Kelly]

Finally after 20 years of service I will get some type of educational benefit. I entered the service in 1985, between the VEAP and GI Bill push. My group was not offered either program and everytime a change was made to the GI Bill program, my group was excluded from joining. It is about time we get assistance!! I guess it is better late than never.

[jason bunn]

I'm really excited about the new Gibill but, it will only help our veterans if the slack ass civilians at your institute will do your paper work and certify you correctly. Veterans don’t waste your time and benefits at ITT Tech.

[Eric]

Wow! This program is going to be a disaster. Lets get real.....people are going to sign-up for this program without knowing the ramifications.

[Robert Therrien]

Please send trainers with full knowledge to American legion post to train our service reps so they can efficiently pass the new information and help veterans that need to apply do so. Please start with the American Legion in the federal building in Detroit Michigan and they will in turn hold classes for teaching to spread this valuable information.

Thank You

[Doug Harrington]

Served active Jan/76 thru Oct/78 with "Under Honorable Conditions" discharge. Used 9 mos of benefits in '79. I am currently in school for the past 2 years without benefits (over 10 years). I plan on two more years of school. Am I eligible?

[Terry Howell]

Please refrain from asking specific eligibility questions in this forum. If you cannot find the answers in the links in the article then the VA will be the only place where you can get your personal eligibility questions answered correctly.

Call 1-888-GIBILL-1 or visit www.gibill.va.cov to contact a VA representative directly.

[Terry Howell]

Paul - If you are not ready to start you may be better off to wait until after the initial rush. But as always you may want to confirm with VA. I think they are going to be swampped starting May 1.

[Paul]

I'm not absolutely clear.

I've yet to enroll and use my Post911 benefits. So, must I submit the VA Form 22-1990 to complete the irrevocable election AND later when enrolling submit the 1990 through the normal college enrollment process? Or, do I simply wait until erolling and complete the irrevocable election then?

[uapdude]

This new 9/11 GI Educational Bill is great for all those service members who did not use all of thier educational benefits or did not sign up for the GI Educational benefits when they initially came onto active duty. For us old timers from the Vietnam GI Bill who are still on active duty it gives us a renewed opprotunity to reestablish new benefits. This new GI Bill is a God send for so many vets who served on active duty Post 9/11.

[Frank C]

I was released from active duty in 1978 was inthe Navy for 4 years used my GI Bill for college but Since then Served in the Air National Guard for 26 years P/T.
I am currently Retired but am not colleting a pension since i am not 60.Question is i am currently unemployed and would like to go back to school is there any benefits for me.
Frank C.

[Queen]

Will switching from MGIB to Post 9/11 affect MGIB if I am enrolled in school at the time of the switch?

[kevin]

I used some of my G.I. bill when I got out of the active army in 1993. I have now started online classes and have learned that my G.I. bill benefits have expired. Is there anything out there for vets that have expired benefits.

[Nicole]

I used the College Loan Repayment program during my enlistment from 2004-2008. Do I qualify for the the New GI Bill.

[Terry Howell]

Many of your questions can be answered by reading the content found at http://www.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/learn-to-use-your-gi-bill.

In addition you need to go to the VA website at www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-GIBILL-1 to get the information straight from the VA.

Do not rely on the comments posted below, while some may be accurate, many are not.

Only the VA can answer your personal GI Bill eligibility questions.

[Elaine P]

I got out of the military back in Dec 03, I only have two months of the MGIB left. Will I be entitled to the 12 months post 9/11 MGIB or only the two remaining months?

[Alejandro]

I completed my bachelors degree and exhausted all my MGIB, and from what I have read seems like with this post 9/11 GI Bill, I qualify for additional 12 months of entitlements. Can I use these entitlements to pay government Stafford loans?

[Boyd Holbrook]

I used my initial MGIB from active duty Navy 66-69 and finished up school in June 79.
I joined the AGR program in 87 and retired in 2003. Am I eligible for anything? The addiditonal 12 months?

[michael leeper]

I'm part of the vietnam veterans, joined in 67, retired in 88, didn't get a chance to use the GI bill is it still to late for me, I'm still alive and kicking would like to get some more education or have I expired

[Boyd Holbrook]

I retired in June 2003, but used all my MGIB in June 1979. Will I be eligible for the additional 12 months?

[shannon]

I joined in 2004 and got out in 2006. I did not serve enough time to get my GI Bill. Will I still qualify for the 9/11 GI Bill.

[Ray]

javier Silva said:

"If you have declined your VEAP/GI Bill benefits when you first entered the service, you are still NOT eligible for GI bill, whether or not you have a break in service and whether your retired or not."

And he's wrong. Post 9/11 GI-Bill eligibility only requires active service after 9/11/2001. Your VEAP or Montgomery GI Bill status is irrelevant in regards to eligibility.

I think Javier needs to actually read the text of the new GI Bill.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=d3a70f712aba4c9da119ba048adaa867;rgn=div2;view=text;node=20090331%3A1.106;idno=38;cc=ecfr;start=1;size=25

[D Lock]

Can I take a mixture of online courses and in classroom courses and qualify for BAH? If so, how do you determine meeting the full term college student? I don't want to lose a lot of credits by transferring, and would like the ability to stay with the current college. Is this possible?

[J Thomas]

To Javier Silva,
"If you are not currently serving with the Armed Forces (and at least 90 days), you are NOT eligible for 9/11 GI Bill benefits."

Get your FACTS straight before trying to play an authority! You do NOT have to be active duty as long as you WERE active duty at ANY time since 911 for at least 90 days! This includes us retirees that served and retired from 2002 through today!

[Luke Barclay]

When I enlisted into the Marine Corps I joined as a reservist, well at that time I was instructed that the GI bill was not available to reservist. I augmentented to active duty in 2002 and eas'ed in 2006 never declining the GI bill am I eligible

[B. Haynes]

Retired in 2004, enlisted in 1984. Put money into VEAP, never used it and withdrew it. Neer enrolled in Montgomery GI Bill.

Confused? Am I still elidgible?