Navigating the GI Bill Application Process

Some of our readers have been asking for guidance on how to apply for VA education benefits. The application process for the Post-9/11 GI Bill is actually no different from other recent versions. But there are some subtle details you should be aware of.

I have posted a factsheet with step-by-step instructions and helpful details on the process - The Post-9/11 GI Bill Application Process.

New Tool Aids Vets in GI Bill Decision

By Terry Howell

The new Post 9/11 GI Bill begins paying benefits in August. As the new GI Bill moves forward servicemembers and veterans will be required to choose the benefits package (Montgomery GI Bill or Post 9/11 GI Bill) that best suits their needs.

Military.com created a GI Bill Calculator to help determine the cash value of your benefits and help you compare the old and new benefits based on your specific profile and declared needs. But the choice between GI Bills involves more than money, making the wrong choice can result in lost benefits and derailed education and career goals. 

Here are some of the things you must consider before making your decision:

• Compared Cash Values - Your personal eligibility factors and education plans affect the bottom line, but don't let this be the only factor you consider. 
• Your Eligibility Status - The number of months served on active duty since 9/11/2001 determines the amount of benefits you get.
• Your Current Duty Status - If you are on active duty you get different benefits than veterans and members of the selected reserve. The GI Bill Calculator can help you see what you will get based on your current duty status.
• Transferability - Only the Post-9/11 GI Bill will allow you to give your education benefits to dependents, if this is important to you then your choice is more clear. 
• Your Education Goals - Since the Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition rate is based on the in-state undergraduate rate, if you are planning to go enroll in a Post-Graduate program you may face out-of-pocket expenses.
• Online vs. In-Classroom - Eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill housing stipend is determined by course delivery method. Students attending 100% online classes, active duty members, and students enrolled at half-time or less are not eligible. 
• Your School Choice - The Post-9/11 GI Bill's in-state tuition rate caps may limit your options, in some areas the Post-9/11 will not fully cover the cost of tuition. In addition, the housing stipend payment rate is determined by the zip code of the school you plan to attend.
• Remaining Montgomery GI Bill Benefits - Using up your remaining MGIB may open the door to 12 more months of benefits.
• How Soon Do You Want to Use It - You have 10 years after you leave the service to use the Montgomery GI Bill and 15 years to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Th GI Bill Calculator results are unofficial, the tool is designed to aid in the decision process, not to replace VA representatives and local school veteran advisors. No matter what you choose the decision irrevocable - choose wisely.

Be sure to speak directly to a VA representative or the veterans program administrator at your school before you make an irrevocable decision. You can reach the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 or through the VA Question & Answer portal.

Congresswoman Seeks to Improve Post-9/11 GI Bill

By Terry Howell

This week Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) announced her plan to introduce legislation that would expand Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to include job training programs that are currently included in the Montgomery GI Bill and other previous versions of the GI Bill.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill currently offers up to 36 months of benefits for education programs offered through degree granting colleges and universities, but it does not provide for job training opportunities except for certain veterans who are eligible under the MGIB. This excludes all veterans who are not eligible for the MGIB from using these programs.

According to a June 17 letter written by Ms. DeLauro, “ten percent of veterans taking advantage of the MGIB use the available benefits for education other than college or graduate school, including for on the job training and apprenticeship programs.”  This means that as many as ten percent of Post-9/11 eligible veterans will not be able to use the new GI Bill to reach their career goals.

 “This [legislation] will provide those veterans who do not pursue an academic course of study opportunities to advance in their jobs, whether they are with private sector companies, local law enforcement or otherwise, just as previous veterans have,” wrote Ms. DeLauro.

Ms. DeLauro is currently looking for co-sponsors for her bill. If you would like to see changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill like this contact your elected officials and ask them to join Ms. DeLauro’s efforts and co-sponsor this bill.

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.

New Bill Includes GI Bill For Gold Star Children

By Terry Howell

The Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009, or so called War Spending Bill, recently passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and awaits President Obama's signature. The bill includes a key provision that will have a significant impact on surviving children of military servicemembers. Under the provision, Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits will be extended to the children of servicemembers of the armed forces who die while on active duty.

If signed into law, surviving children will be given access to benefits which include up to 100 percent tuition and fee coverage, a monthly housing stipend averaging more than $1,200, and an annual book and supply stipend of up to $1,000.

These benefits are a vast improvement to those provided under the VA’s Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Program, which provides education and training opportunities to all eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers up to 36 months of benefits for education programs offered through degree granting colleges and universities. This differs from the more liberal DEA program which pays up to $950 a month for up to 45 months of education benefits and may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training.

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.

With congress opening the door to the Post-9/11 GI Bill to more beneficiaries, some may want to know how much it will cost the tax payers and what it means for those who are already using the existing DEA program.

It is still early in the process and many details are not available yet and this provision is subject to change. Stay tuned, we will be sure to pass along the details as they surface.

Get It In Writing

By Terry Howell

Get it in writing – a sound piece of advice for any deal. But maybe not something you would normally associate with getting advice or information from the VA.  However, that is exactly what a veteran's program administrator recent told me, "make sure to tell veterans to keep a written record of their interactions with the Department of Veterans Affairs."

Why? The new Post-9/11 GI Bill is very confusing, not just to you, but to nearly everyone involved with the process; from school certifying officials to the VA phone representatives themselves. Everyday some new piece of information about the process trickles out and not everyone gets the word. This can result in you, the veteran, making decisions based on incorrect information and possibly missing out on the benefits you deserve.

So my advice is to keep a record of every interaction you have with the VA. Write down the time, date, and name of the person you spoke to, in addition to details of your question and the answer they provided. The point here isn’t to document everything so you can “fight the VA.” The point is to help you and the VA if it turns out you made a poor choice between GI Bill benefit programs based on incorrect information.

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.

Making an Appeal - If you find that you were given incorrect information which caused you to miss out on the full benefit of your GI Bill you may have grounds to request to switch programs or recover lost benefits by seeking “equitable relief.”

Equitable relief is a type of appeal you can make when you have been misinformed by VA staff. In years past, VA would get somewhere around 10 such appeals a year for education related benefits.  Only a few cases involved situations where a counselor gave veterans inaccurate information which caused them to be denied benefits.  Due to the confusion over the new GI Bill, this number will likely increase in the coming years. The equitable relief process requires documentation to support your claim. According to the VA, veterans seldom have the required documentation needed to substantiate their claims resulting in their appeals being denied.
 
Insider Advice - If you are going to seek equitable relief, have the name, title, and date you spoke to a VA counselor.  Since all VA phone representatives use an alias, for privacy reasons, submitting your questions online and keeping a printed record of the answers is a great way to ensure you have the required paper trail in case you later find that you were given inaccurate or misleading information. You can use the VA’s online Question and Answer section to ask questions and get documented answers.

Your GI Bill benefit choice is irrevocable. If you base your decision on what turns out to be incorrect (VA provided) information, you may have a legal claim to switch programs. If you don’t take the time to document your interaction with the VA you may lose your appeal before you even get started.

For all you "policy wonks," you can download the official copy of the Regulatory Citation which covers Equitable Relief.