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GI Bill Information: Ask the Expert BlogArchive for December, 2009
December 29th, 2009
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
Question:
How can I change from the old MGIB to the new 911 GI Bill? Is there a form I need to fill out and submit? — Robert
How can I change from the old MGIB to the new 911 GI Bill? Is there a form I need to fill out and submit? — Robert
Answer:
Hi Robert. Excellent question and one asked by many veterans since the New GI Bill came out in August. The short answer is you need to go to the VONAPP (Veteran Online Application) website and fill out VA Form 22-1990 to change from the MGIB to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Before you change, be sure and do your homework. Once you change, you can’t go back.
You homework should include first reviewing some of the more common public and private school case studies on the VA’s website where they compare both GI Bills. Relate these studies to your own situation and see which GI Bill will pay you the most. Generally, the Post-9/11 pays you more unless you:
- attend a public school in a state where veterans do not pay tuition or fees or;
- take an online only program at a public school or university.
- in a program not covered by the New GI Bill.
Another favorite feature of the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the transferability of you unused education benefits to your spouse or dependent children; a feature not available under either MGIB. Also the programs of training each GI Bill covers differs among the new and old GI Bills.
If transferring to the new Post-9/11 GI Bill turns out to be the best choice for your education situation, then go to VONAPP and fill out VA Form 22-1990. If you can’t use the online portal, you can download the form, fill it out and mail it in. Form completion instruction and mailing address are on the form.
December 29th, 2009
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
Question:
I served from May of 1970 to Oct of 1996, retired as the S-3 SGM of 3rd Special Forces Gp. Never used any of my benefits. Can I transfer my benefits to my youngest son so he can go back to school. Thanks — Johnnie
I served from May of 1970 to Oct of 1996, retired as the S-3 SGM of 3rd Special Forces Gp. Never used any of my benefits. Can I transfer my benefits to my youngest son so he can go back to school. Thanks — Johnnie
Answer:
Hi Johnnie. Unfortunately, the transferability option did not exist in the Montgomery GI Bill during the time you were in. The Army did a limited transferability pilot program in mid-2006 for soldiers in a few critical skills and with at least six years of service. The pilot program allowed them to transfer up to one-half of their 36 months to their spouse, if they would re-enlist for another four years. The pilot program never did offer the option to transfer benefits to dependent children. If you were eligible in the first place, you would have to still be serving in 2006 to take part in the pilot program, re=enlist for four more years and then you would only be able to transfer benefits to your spouse and not your son. Sorry Johnnie for the bad news.
December 28th, 2009
by GIBillExpert
by GIBillExpert
Question:
I am a veteran who served in the US Army for 21 years. I retired a year ago, and was wondering if I can give my son my GI Bill benefits? — Carl C.
I am a veteran who served in the US Army for 21 years. I retired a year ago, and was wondering if I can give my son my GI Bill benefits? — Carl C.
Answer:
That’s a good question Carl, and the answer is big news these days. Unfortunately, while educational benefits can now be extended to dependents, the application must be approved before you leave the service.
Although previous versions of veterans educational benefits (including the Montgomery GI Bill) had no provision for transferring the benefits to a dependent, the new Post 9/11 GI Bill does. As of August 1, 2009, you can apply for a Transfer of Educational Benefits (or TEB) to an eligible dependent rather than use the benefits yourself.
However, in order to extend the benefits to your dependent, you must either agree to serve an additional amount of time in service (usually 4 years), or be retirement eligible, but not yet have retired. For additional information on the requirements for applying for TEB, see the information summary at the Veterans Affairs web site.
December 28th, 2009
by GIBillExpert
by GIBillExpert
Question:
Do I still get a monthly living stipend with the Post 9/11 GI bill if I attend an online degree program? — Richard C.
Do I still get a monthly living stipend with the Post 9/11 GI bill if I attend an online degree program? — Richard C.
Answer:
In general Richard, no. But, there is an exception. The housing allowance that comes along with the new Post 9/11 GI Bill is one of the most attractive aspects of the program. It pays an amount based on the location of the school at which you are taking classes. However, if your courses are through distance learning, including online courses, you are not eligible for a housing allowance.
However… If even one of your courses is a resident course, and the course will count toward your degree program, then you are a resident student, and you are eligible for the housing allowance. The rate of the allowance is based on the location of the school at which you are taking the actual, physical, sit-down-in-an-classroom course.
So, if your program is partly on-line, or even mostly on-line, you can still get the housing allowance; but only if at least one of your classes is always a traditional resident course.
There may be other requirements for your eligibility for the housing allowance; visit the Veterans Affairs web site to find out.
December 28th, 2009
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
Question:
I am researching both the Montgomery GI Bill and New GI Bill to help some of my fellow students who are being denied benefits because they because of taking course which fall in a shorter time frame than a semester, but have the equivalent hours of instruction. Where do I go to find the actual legal language in the two bills. — Bill
I am researching both the Montgomery GI Bill and New GI Bill to help some of my fellow students who are being denied benefits because they because of taking course which fall in a shorter time frame than a semester, but have the equivalent hours of instruction. Where do I go to find the actual legal language in the two bills. — Bill
Answer:
Hi Bill. To find the legal language for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, go to the Title 38 of the U.S. Code . The following Statute in Section 3470 – Selection of Program- of the Chapter 38 says “Subject to the provisions of this chapter, each eligible veteran may select a program of education to assist the veteran in attaining an educational, professional, or vocational objective at any educational institution (approved in accordance with chapter 36 of this title) selected by the veteran, which will accept and retain the veteran as a student or trainee in any field or branch of knowledge which such institution finds the veteran qualified to undertake or pursue.”
You can find the legal language for the Montgomery GI Bill in Chapter 30, Title 38 U.S. Code. I suspect your fellow students are either trying to collect benefits for a program not covered by either GI Bill or trying to take courses from a school not accredited and recognized by the VA. The GI Bills cover courses in semester hours, quarter hours and vocational training courses having total course hours.
If you can send me the name of the training program and the name of the school, I could probably answer your question concerning your friends dilemma and save you the frustration of trying to cipher the “legalize” of the Code.
December 28th, 2009
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
Question:
What is the Chapter 33? — Tori
Answer:
Thanks for your question Tori. Chapter 33 is the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as the New GI Bill. Under the old Montgomery GI Bill, which is Chapter 30, you received a flat monthly rate and you had to pay your own tuition.
Under the new bill, the VA pays:
- your tuition directly to the college
- pays you a monthly housing allowance calculated as an E-5 with dependents BAH of your school’s zip code
- pays you a books and supplies stipend up to $1,000 per year.
As far as tuition, the VA takes the state-supported school with the highest tuition in each state as that state’s maximum amount the VA will pay. If your school charges less than that amount, then the VA will pay the lesser amount.
However, if you are
- attending a private school
- paying out-of-state tuition or
- enrolled in a graduate program and the school charges more than the maximum the VA will pay, then inquire whether your school is a Yellow Ribbon school or not.
If it is, then the school can pay up to half of the difference in tuition between what the VA will pay and what the school charges. The VA will pay an equal amount. This can leave you anywhere from will very little left to pay down to nothing as far as tuition. If your school is not a yellow Ribbon school, then you have to pay the difference in tuition.
December 8th, 2009
by GIBillExpert
by GIBillExpert
Question:
Hi, I was wondering if it was any way possible for my father who served in the Army for 13yrs and had an honorable discharge in 2003 to transfer his GI Bill to his dependent? –Candis T.
Hi, I was wondering if it was any way possible for my father who served in the Army for 13yrs and had an honorable discharge in 2003 to transfer his GI Bill to his dependent? –Candis T.
Answer:
Dear Candis. Unfortunately, there is not a way. The rules of the new GI Bill state that to be eligible, the military member, on the date of election, has to:
- have served at least 6 years in the Armed Forces
- agree to serve an additional 4 years
- be eligible for retirement during the period August 1, 2009 through August 1, 2013. If retiring after July 2, 2010, additional service is required
- still be an active serving military member as of August 1, 2009
The key here is your father would still have to be serving and he is not.
Family Members
However, if your father was eligible, he could transfer all, or part, of his new GI Bill education benefits to:
- his spouse
- one or more of his children or
- a combination of spouse and children
To receive a transfer of benefits, the family member must be enrolled in Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) at the time of transfer.
Use of Benefits
Eligible family members may receive up to the full 36 months of eligibility, if none has been previously used.
The spouse may start using the benefit immediately upon transfer and up to 15 years after the military member’s separation date. The spouse is not eligible for either the housing or book/supplies stipend while the military member is still serving.
As far as the eligible children receiving a transfer, they may start using the benefit:
- once the military member serves at least 10 years
- once they attain the age of 18 (or upon receipt of a high school diploma or equivalent certificate) and they must use the benefit by their 26th birthday
Their stipend rule differs in that they may receive both stipends while the military member is still serving.
December 8th, 2009
by GIBillExpert
by GIBillExpert
Question:
Where can I go to find out my status on my 9/11 gi bill? Also where can I go to request a certificate of eligibility so that I can send it to a school I’m trying to enroll in. — Timothy N.
Where can I go to find out my status on my 9/11 gi bill? Also where can I go to request a certificate of eligibility so that I can send it to a school I’m trying to enroll in. — Timothy N.
Answer:
Hi, Timothy. Thanks for the two excellent questions. You made me do some digging to find the answers.
For the first question, where you can go to find the status of your Post 9/11 GI Bill, you can go to the VA’s Inquiry and Routing Website and click on the Educations Benefits Inquiry link. As an alternate way, you could also call the VA at either their VA benefit line at 1-800-827-1000 or their GI Bill Education hotline at 1-888-442-4551.
As far as the second question, your certificate of eligibility, you don’t have to do anything once you have submitted your application. The VA regional office will process your application and send you the certificate. Once you receive your certificate, take it to your school’s veteran office or VA certifying official and enroll in classes. If your school doesn’t have a veterans’ office, go to either the Registrar’s Office or Financial Aid Office.
The GI Bill school sends in their request to the VA for payment for your tuition and fees and the VA will pay the school directly. If you qualify for any of the other new GI Bill education benefits, such as the housing, book and supplies stipend or the rural benefit payment, the VA will automatically make a direct deposit payment into your account for these benefits.
If you have not sent in your GI Bill school application yet, you can do it in one of two ways. First, go online to VONAPP (Veterans Online Application) and electronically fill out VA Form 22-1990 or you can print out a hard copy application. Instructions on where to send your completed application are printed on the form. If you don’t have online capability to print out the VA Form 22-1990, call 1-888-GI BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) and they will send you an application. If it has been a long time since you submitted your application and you still have not received your certificate, then, call the VA at the above phone number.
December 7th, 2009
by GIBillExpert
by GIBillExpert
Question:
Hello SGM, What period does the housing stipend cover? Is it when you’re enrolled in classes or is it only when you’re physically attending? My situation: my classes this semester ends on December 13th and my next semester classes don’t start until January 13th, but I’m already enrolled in next semester’s courses. Do I not get paid BAH between December 13th and January 13th? Thanks a lot, SGT Carter –Aaron C.
Hello SGM, What period does the housing stipend cover? Is it when you’re enrolled in classes or is it only when you’re physically attending? My situation: my classes this semester ends on December 13th and my next semester classes don’t start until January 13th, but I’m already enrolled in next semester’s courses. Do I not get paid BAH between December 13th and January 13th? Thanks a lot, SGT Carter –Aaron C.
Answer:
Thanks for asking this question Aaron. It is good to hear from you. I’m glad you are doing the smart thing by using your New GI Bill education benefits to work on getting a degree.
I do have one concern though–at the end of your question, you signed as SGT Carter. If you are still serving on active duty, then you are not authorized the housing stipend as part of your GI Bill payments under the New GI Bill. I wanted to make that clear first.
If you are still serving, you may want to look into using Tuition Assistance while you are in and save your New GI Bill education benefits for after you get out. You could then use those benefits for an advanced degree or transfer them to your dependents. Work the numbers and see which program works best for you.
However, if you are out, you are authorized a housing allowance as long as you are:
- enrolled in a school
- considered more than a half-time student
- not taking just online classes
From what I can find, as long as you keep enrolled from one semester to the next, with no break in enrollment, your housing stipend should continue until either:
- you decide not to continue your schooling or
- you exhaust your new GI Bill education benefits
To clarify the housing allowance pay, you get paid at the E-5 with dependents rate for the zip code where your school is located, not where you reside. Many veteran students don’t understand the policy.
To find out how much you should get, use the BAH Calculator on the Defense Travel website. Once the calculator loads, ensure the year is correct. If not, choose the correct year from the drop-down menu. In the Duty Zip-Code field, type in your school’s 5-digit zip code. For the Grade, select E-5 from the drop-down menu. Then, click on Execute. Use the calculator to try out different GI Bill schools’ zip codes.
December 2nd, 2009
by admin
by admin
Effective August 1, 2009, the Post-9/11 GI Bill brings new benefits and improves upon some of the outdated features of the Montgomery GI Bill. The GI Bill, often called the best piece of legislation passed by the U.S. government, has been revamped a few times since it was first passed in 1944. President Franklin D. Roosevelt first signed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, or the GI Bill of Rights, into law. Only three years later in 1947, veterans accounted for a full 49 percent of college admissions. The original GI Bill was such a success that by the time it ended in 1956, 7.8 million of the 16 million World War II veterans had taken advantage of it.
Since then, each new GI Bill is better and proves Roosevelt’s assertion that the GI Bill “gives emphatic notice to the men and women in our armed forces that the American people do not intend to let them down.”
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