Post-9/11 GI Bill - A Mixed Bag

By Terry Howell

I have been writing for some time now about the good, bad, and the ugly of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. If you have been reading this blog long, you know there is more to celebrate about this program than there is to lament. But, over the last few months I have focused quite a bit on the program's short comings. Today we'll take a look at both ends of the spectrum - where the program misses the mark and where it's right on target.

I recently wrote about the affects semantics are having on California veteran’s and their tuition coverage under the new GI Bill. This story was also covered in the SF Chronicle. The Chronicle’s article, GI Bill's Wording Costs State's Student Vets, personalizes the issue and tells how three individuals are being affected by this snafu over the words “tuition and fees.”

The article quotes veteran Darren Matt telling how the limitations will keep him from using the new education benefits, "So I still get nothing. There's a huge group of people who are going to be excluded from this,” said Matt, who is seeking an MBA. "I can't imagine that was the intent of the bill."

The article ends with a quote by Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Ca., "I'm hoping that we don't have to go through the whole legislative fix," he said. "This is no more than a bureaucratic snafu." Thompson is currently working on legislation to fix the issue.

- True.

Get more than $49,000 a year for school. Request info about GI Bill approved programs from military and veteran-friendly schools and start earning your degree today.

On the other end of the spectrum is a story about how the new Post-9/11 GI Bill is opening doors for veterans who would like to earn an Ivy League degree. Prestigious schools like Columbia University, Cornell University, and Dartmouth College are all volunteering to participate in a Post-9/11 GI Bill program known as the Yellow Ribbon Program.

In simplified terms, the YRP waives all or part of a veteran's tuition costs that exceed the in-state tuition rate, giving veterans the chance to attend more expensive private schools and not incur out-of-pocket expenses or student loan debt.

While on the whole, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is a great benefit to most veterans, there are several examples of how the Post-9/11 opens doors for some while keeping them closed for others.

Veterans who feel this bill should be improved need to contact their elected officials and let them know how they feel.

Read the full articles mentioned above:

• GI Bill's Wording Costs State's Student Vets – SF Chronicle
• New GI Bill Puts Ivy League Degree Within Reach – Military.com

Comments

[Gil Douville]

I have a BA in History. Now i want to get my Paralegal certificate that requires me to attned classes fulltime. I found out that this great bill won't give me a housing allowance because I am not persuing an Assocaites of BA. This VA rep. told me that I could only get assitance if I went after a higher degree. Well, i have aleady doen that and the job market has left me empty handed. The certificate would get me a job , but I can't go full time and work full time. Housing allowance should be given to students that are full time even whetehr its for a certificate, Asscoiates's or Higher.

[1SG FELIX]

No one seems to know the correct answers to the transfering of benifits to dependants I served on active duty for 22 years before and after 9/11. I find it disturbing that the rumor is that retired soldiers can not transfer benifits and yet a person who serves over 8 years and gives another 5 can transfer it. Wow why dont we just keep giving millions to get people to only serve 5 years. This needs to be equal, if us retired soldiers knew it was changing we would have not retired just to get the benifits we deserve.

[Frank T]

Hey my dad ws in the military for 22 years and retired in 2007. Since he served 90 days after 9/11 and he isn't going to school anymore, will there be anyway that he can transfer it to me? Any help would be appreciated.

[Ben]

How is this bill going to work for someone like myself who exhausted my previous GI Bill last year but qualify for the new bill? Any help with this would be great.

[Terry Howell]

Karen,
It may be because teh VA has not begun accepting applications for transferring New Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits yet. Their response sounfds like the old MGIB. I would call the VA and clarify when they will begin accpeting the applications for tranferred benefits. 1-888-GIBILL-1.

[Karen C.]

My husband qualifies for the post 911 bill and we submitted all the required paperwork signed by his command to transfer the benefits to me, his spouse, and I was denied by the VA as being told that currently only the Army has the transferability option. Why is this?

[MCPO Spencer]

I retired from active duty on 30 September 2001. I was still on active duty on September 11, 2001, although I was on terminal leave. Am I eligible for post 9-11 GI Bill entitlements?

[Mino]

After reading the tranferrability options of the post 9/11 GI bill, I do not qualify to transfer this benefits to my dependents. I transferred to fleet reserve on Sep 2007 after serving 23 years and 7 months. Is there any other way that this benefit be transferred to my dependents who needs the higher education more than I do?

[C Ramsey]

The only part of the post 9/11 Bill retirees do not qualify for is giving the money to dependents or spouses, if you are not active duty on Aug 2009.

[Amonda Hollie]

"We are interested in doing the same but from what research we've done if you have retired or will retire before Aug '09 you do not qualify". I have researched the VA website and this statement does not co-incide with the information posted. There was a listing to show if you were on active duty per so many days the percentage will be granted. I am understanding from your statement, Harrah, that I do not qualify because I retired on 31 Dec 08, even serving on duty "Active Status" after 911. Is this true?

[Alan]

So this congressman wants to rewrite the entire law because one state has rules that are different than the other 49 states? Why didn't he bring this up when it was going through committee? And if this veteran went to a grad program in another state he still won't be getting a full ride and VA will be paying his school Fees because the program pays tuition and fees not just tuition like the articles are written. poorly written/researched article which doesn't state all the facts. Need to present all the facts SF Chronicle, not just the parts you like and make it sound like some poor sob story. jeez.

[SFC NICHOLS]

Is the Post 9/11 GI Bill just a re-enlistment option?

[jose]

Trasferability of post 911 gi bill for soldiers retiring in sept of 09... I want to pass this on to my daughter . will she recieve the bha as a full time student??

[Terry Howell]

McNeal - Active Duty, Students taken Half-time of less and Students talking 100% of their classes online do not get the Housing Stipend.

If you disagree with the policy contact Congress: http://capwiz.com/military/dbq/officials/

[Terry Howell]

Barnes et al: Write Congress and the Senate if you want change. Don't just hope for it, do something!
Veterans who feel this bill should be improved need to contact their elected officials and let them know how they feel. http://capwiz.com/military/dbq/officials/

[Terry Howell]

Goss - yes it is true. Vocational schools are not covered under this GI Bill. However, if you are eligible for the MGIB and the P-911, you will not lose your option to go to a Vo-Tech program.

[Terry Howell]

S. Stevens - If you applied in April, you messed up. They were not taking applications for the Post-9/11 until May. They said they would not process any applications submitted before May1. I suggest you apply again.

[Terry Howell]

golio - probably not. Your benefits likely expired in 1984. But feel free to call the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 to verify.

[Terry Howell]

R. Haywood -
The key factor here is that you must have been on ACTIVE DUTY after 9/11/2001 to qualify. Since you clearly were not on active duty since you retired in 2000, you are not eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

[S.Stevens]

I applied for the post 9-11
benifits and they still have
not notified me.I applied april,
28th 2009.

[R. Haywood]

I retired December 2000 with honors, and would like to know if I am able to convert G I Bill to the Post 9/11 GI bill.

[lawrence golio]

i was wondering if i was still able to recieve benifits was discharged 1974

[Barry Goss]

Is it true that the Post 9/11 GI bill is only for institutions of higher ed, that is excludes schools or colleges that are vocational?

[SFC Clarence Magee]

I retired 1 June 90. And because I could not study any more while on active duty I was told that I can't use the G I Bill any more because my time to complete my schooling is expired. That is beyond my understanding, and sometimes I wonder why I stayed in for for such a long time and have all of my benefits taken away! I would be happy to go to collage! Since Vietnam I have see our benefits just slowly slip away in to never ever becoming reality.

[P Dawson]

I agree with L.Harrah. My husband was actcive for 28 years and now that he is retired, they decide to allow the GI Bill to transfer to children!! Why not let it go to retirees childen. If they have children they are either right at college or all grown up anyway. It should not be a large number of retirees that would use the transfer.

[Caroline Barnes]

I am a 27 yr reservist who retired in 1998. The only benefit I have is to go to the commissary/exchange of which I am grateful. I hope I live long enough to get retirement as it does not start until you are 60 if you are mostly a reservist. I did have 5 yrs active too!

It is sad that they did not include any benefits for those of us that were recalled for Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

If anything can be modified for that group...it would be greatly appreciated.

I hope that they evaluate it.

[L. Harrah]

We are interested in doing the same but from what research we've done if you have retired or will retire before Aug '09 you do not qualify. If you are still active duty you can google "post 9/11 GI Bill" and look under the FAQ tab and it describes all qualifications. My husband retired in Oct '08 after serving 27+ years in the Navy and even though though they sent us a letter stating he qualifies he doesn't need it as he was able to get his degree while still on AD paying and using TA. We have contacted our local congressmen and are waiting to hear back to see if things will be changed. It's not fair that if you've served the time that your children who also sacrificed should not be allowed to benefit. It seems many retirees are in this position because we are the ones who have college age children. Good Luck!! If you a retiree I urge you to contact your state representative.

[McNeal Baptiste]

What is the status of the new post 911 GI bill, attending online schools and receiving BAH at E5 rate?

[dal]

classified

[dal]

classified

[Terry Howell]

SSG Kennedy -
Military.com hsa a DoD fact sheet on transferability. But when it comes down to actually doing it, you must contact your unit ESO for assistance.
http://www.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/post-911-gi-bill-transferability-fact-sheet

[SSG Kennedy]

I am looking for information about signing my GI Bill benefits over to my daughter. Can anyone tell me I can find this information?