The application process began May 1 for the New Post-9/11 GI Bill. Some news resources are making it sound as if the New GI Bill starts today. IT DOESN"T. What starts today is the VA application process. But, what is most important to know is that there is no rush. You need to carefully weigh the benefits of the Montgomery GI Bill against the benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
In an Armed Forces Press Service article Keith Wilson (Director of Education Service for the Veterans Benefits Administration) stated:
“The important thing to remember is that this is one of several programs we administer, all of which have different eligibility criteria,” Wilson said. “The program that is best for the individual veteran is not always going to be the Post-9/11 GI Bill.”
Among questions Wilson encourages people to consider when making the decision are:
– Which benefit will pay more? This needs to factor in, not just what VA pays, but also the impact on any other educational assistance the person receives. For example, if the student attends school in one of the many states that offers veterans free tuition or receives another form of state or campus aid, will switching to the Post-9/11 benefit change that?
– What tier of benefit are they eligible for under the Post-9/11 GI Bill? The program includes three payments: tuition and fees, a living allowance, and a book and supply stipend. But current active-duty members can’t receive the living allowance.
– What type of training do they want to pursue? Not all training covered by the Montgomery GI Bill, for example, is covered by the Post-9/11 bill. The new benefit, for example, doesn’t cover technical school training.
– How long do you expect to take to use the benefit? The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays out benefits for 15 years, five years longer than the Montgomery GI Bill benefit.
– Do you plan to attend school less than full-time? It will affect whether you receive the housing allowance under the Post-9/11 benefit.
– Do you plan to transfer your unused benefits to an immediate family member? Only the Post-9/11 benefit offers that option.
“There are a series of things, both monetary and non-monetary, that individuals need to consider,” Wilson said.
Wilson encourages anyone eyeing the new Post-9/11 program to read up about it on the VA Web site. Those who need additional assistance can click on a link on the site to e-mail VA officials with a question, or can talk with a VA benefits counselor by calling 1-888-GI-BILL-1 toll-free, he said.
“We’re emphasizing education so people understand the full range of our educational programs,” Wilson said. “We really want to be sure we tailor the best program to the individual.”
So – Word the wise, take your time, because making a choice now locks you in to either GI Bill version. Your choice now may severely limit your options later.
Here are some links you may find helpful:
You can also call teh VA directly at 1-888-GIBILL-1 to speak to a representative who can help you determine your best option.
This is just some food for thought; some of you have to remember that using profound words does not resolve anything. While reading some of the comments that have been posted, it really made me sick to know that my fellow active duty and vets are conducting themselves in an unprofessional manner. If you are upset for any reason then say it to yourself and not post it on line showing how intelligent you are in using profanity and harsh words
I've never said that military dependents don't deserve benefits.
I was a dependent for 20 years and my mother and wife were dependents for longer than that. WE all had plenty of benefits while our fathers and husbands were on active duty. I grew up as a child of many privileges…. free medical, dental, housing, and all the privileges of living on a military post for all my early adolescence plus the opportunity to travel the world. There's no doubt that I enjoyed a great childhood.
Military wives deserve all of the recognition they can get. They've sacrificed right alongside the vets themselves. The problem I have is that now with the post-911 GI Bill, they are entitled to benefits that I am not.
My point is that I don't think that dependents should have any educational benefits before those benefits are given to the men who served this country and were promised those benefits, regardless of how long those men have been out of the service.
Having the ability to transfer MY benefits to MY child benefits ME. I have decided to give my child the education that I believe is necessary for him to compete in this world. I have been saving for his education since the day he was born and have still fallen way short of the funds necessary to do so. The ablity to transfer my eligibilty to my child is a GODSEND and I am very grateful for it. Not everyone hates their family members. I love mine dearly and consider MYSELF fortunate to now be able to provide for them.
Bottom line – If the service member decides to give the education benefits to a dependent that is their business. It is that service members to do with what they want!
As far as any person who did not use the benefit and subsequently lost the benefit, well that is a decision they made and have to live with. We all make choices in this life and you have to be mature enough to live with it. Anybody that tries to attend college after leaving service or during service knows how hard it is. So to whine about not using the benefit and then losing it because you waited too long was again a very poor decision.
When I first transfered to the state U I was given a $500 Pell Grant and subsidized loans. Then the GI Bill went up and they took it away before I could recieve it.
So now I am in a little debt, but can make it next year. I would like it to be made more clear about using up all of the CH 30 and then getting 12 months of CH 33.
The VA website could be construed as being misleading. It could be interpreted as: Just use up your CH 30 so you get less money and it is easier for us to maintain your records.
Please send everyone receiving GI Bill benefits a letter stating that they CAN now use 48 months. Explain how it works and how they are guaranteed 48 months. This way people can make informed decisions instead of gambling.
The VA office at my school doesn't know for certain. I get my information here and the VA webite and I know way more about this than every other vet I talk to on campus. I want to know this for myself and so that if someone asks me I can tell them, or they will already know and not ask me in the first place.
Thank You.
And anyone here talking down on certain groups: there are extremes in any group. You claim to belong to the same group as me. FIX YOURSELF.