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GI Bill Information: Ask the Expert BlogArchive for June, 2010
June 29th, 2010
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
I was wondering how to apply for the GI Bill and what info do I need to accomplish this? Thank you for your time and also how long does it take to get approved? — Justin
Applying for either the Montgomery GI Bill or Post 9/11 GI Bill is easy Justin. You can either do it online, through the VONAPP website, or download VA Form 22-1990, complete it and send it in according to the instructions on the form.
You will need to send in a copy of your DD214, or copies of your active duty orders to verify your type and length of service. Depending on when you served, and for how long, you could be eligible for either the Montgomery GI Bill, Post 9/11 GI Bill or both. Right now, it is taking the VA between eight and ten weeks to process applications.
With either the Post 9/11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill, you can get up to 36 months of education benefits. If you qualify for both, you can get a maximum combined benefit of up to 48 months.
Which GI Bill you choose to use really depends on your education goals, as the Post 9/11 GI Bill does not pay for trade, technical or certification/license-type programs, unless they are taken at an institution of higher learning (IHL).
June 29th, 2010
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
I enlisted in August 1998 for the $40K Army College Fund (ACF) when the Montgomery GI Bill was about $15K. I also paid the $600 kicker in 2002 for the added $5400 value before leaving Active Duty. I completed my initial 4-year enlistment before transferring to the National Guard and going to college. I never used my GI Bill, though, intending to save it for grad school. I have about 23 months Active Duty time since 9/11. I’m trying to figure out what my benefits are.
1. I was told when I enlisted that if the GI Bill went up, my ACF went up with it so that my total benefits would be (Current GI Bill Value) + (~$25K ACF). Is this true? Does the kicker add to that also?
2. If I were to convert my benefits to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, what would happen to my ACF? To my GI Bill kicker? Would I be refunded the $1200 I paid into the GI Bill?
3. Finally, I hear that if a service member has already used their 36 months of Montgomery GI Bill benefits, that they can still get 12 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill. Could I use some or all of my Montgomery, then switch to Post-9/11, or is that 12-month program only for service members who used up their benefits prior to 2009? Could I use 36 months of Montgomery, then get 12 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill? Could I use less than 36 months of Montgomery, then get more than 12 (up to 36) months of Post-9/11 GI Bill? Thanks. — Luke
I numbered your questions Luke making it easier for me to answer. For question one, if you are using the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), then your Buy-Up would be added onto your MGIB and ACF amount.
To answer second question, you can use your ACF with the Post 9/11 GI Bill, but not your Buy-Up. You would lose the $600 you paid into it. I don’t like to use the word kicker, because it can mean too many things, such an enlistment kicker can be used with the Post 9/11 GI Bill. After you exhaust your Post 9/11 GI Bill, you would get a portion of your $1,200 MGIB contribution paid back to you.
As far as question three, it is true. The secret to getting the additional 12 months of education benefit is to first exhaust your MGIB benefit, then switch to the Post 9/11 GI Bill getting the extra months of benefit. If you switch before exhausting your MGIB, the same number of months transfer across and you don’t get the additional benefit.
With 23 months of active duty time since September 10, 2001, you would be at the 70% level. So the VA would pay up to 70% of the in-state undergraduate, public school tuition and fee maximum established for your school. You would get 70% of both the housing allowance and book stipend. Your ACF would be broken down into 36 payments and one payment would be added to each of your monthly housing allowance and book stipend.
June 28th, 2010
by Jeffery Anderson
by Jeffery Anderson
I am in the process of retiring August 30th and just transferred my GI Bill benefits to my children. I just got hired onto a police force and will be attending an academy/training facility which I have heard I can use my GI Bill for. 1. can I get some of my GI Bill back from my kids for my vocational training for the force? 2. does the police academy/training facility qualify under 9/11? Thank you, Matthew
Hi Matthew, the answer to your first question is yes. Service members and veterans can modify or revoke transferred Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits up until the time they are used. So you should be able to modify your transfer to receive some of your benefits back without a problem. Just go to the same Department of Defense website you used to transfer the benefits to begin with and do some adjusting.
Your second question isn’t quite as easy. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is designed to be used for degree programs and the schools that the VA has approved for its use are institutions of higher learning. The VA defines an institution of higher learning as a school that can award a degree. This doesn’t mean that your education program has to award a degree, but the school where the program is located must be able to award at least an associate’s degree in some education program.
I know that some police academies are approved for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, as I found one in Pennsylvania that is affiliated with a college, and the police academy is even eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. If you had the Montgomery GI Bill, that should cover any vocational police training program, but it is going to depend on how the training center is set up as to whether it qualifies for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
I would do a search on the VA’s site under institutions of higher learning to see if your academy qualifies and you might also talk to someone in the academy’s administrative offices to see if their program has qualified for the Post 9/11 GI Bill in the past. Just remember that the VA has the final word as they are paying the tuition bills, so you might want to be very sure the school qualifies before you take your benefits back.
June 28th, 2010
by GIBillExpert
by GIBillExpert
Hello, I am Major Steve Nester (Air Force Reserves) with 19 years of service. I am currently appealing the Post 9/11 GI bill amount of months I was awarded. I used the Montgomery GI Bill in 1996 for a 2 week OJT training course from Jan 11, 1996- Jan 25, 1996. The Montgomery GI Bill reimbursed me $4,734 for this course. They are saying that is equal to 23 months and 27 days of 1606 benefits. I do not see how a two week course costing $4,734 could equate to 23 months of college. I have been informed that I only have 24 months and 3 days of benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. I thought these were separate GI Bills? Also how much college does 24 months and 3 days of benefits equate to? 36 months of benefits, I assume equals 4 years of college. I have deployed 3 times since 9/11 and should be eligible for 100% of the benefit and was planning to transfer to my children. Thank you for your help, Sincerely, Major Nester.
I can’t tell you a lot about the manner in which the VA charged your GI Bill account for your OJT course, although I will wish you luck with your appeal. However, I can tell you why you seem to have fewer than 36 months of GI Bill benefits under the new Post 9/11 GI Bill. While the two programs are separate GI Bills, they are limited by each other. If you have used any of the Montgomery GI Bill, then the months of benefits for which you are eligible under the new GI Bill is equal to your months of benefits remaining under the Montgomery GI Bill.
However, if you have completely exhausted all 36 months of your Montgomery GI Bill benefits, then this changes. In that case, you can still get another 12 months of benefits under the new Post 9/11 GI Bill. Under no conditions can you get more than 48 months of benefits total from combined VA educational assistance programs.
If you plan to transfer your GI Bill benefits to your dependents, remember that you need to do so before you leave the service, and that you may be required to agree to serve up to 4 years more to make the transfer, as per the rules for Transfer of Educational Benefits under the new GI Bill.
June 28th, 2010
by Jeffery Anderson
by Jeffery Anderson
My brother Tony was in the Marine Corps in 1972. He received what I believe was an Honorable Discharge. Tony was in” Special Education” in school and was always picked on. He had the same issues in the Marines, which is the cause of the discharge. Is there any compensation/benefits Tony can be receiving or should have been receiving? Tony does not ask questions about anything. Please let me hear from you. Thank you so much. Kathie
Hi Kathy, This sounds like a complicated issue, and one that may not be able to be answered by email, but I will give you my opinion on the situation.
It sounds like Tony did not receive any sort of medical discharge from the Marine Corps, and from what you have written, and what the Navy doctors must have decided when he was going through out processing, the issues that Tony may have were in place prior to his entering the military. If something happened to him while in the Marine Corps to cause him to be discharged early, and it was decided that a service related incident had created some sort of physical or mental disability, then I would think he might have received a medical discharge and received disability payments.
I don’t think that is what happened here. A lot of Marines were getting out of the Marine Corps in 1972 as Vietnam was winding down and when your brother has some issues I think they probably just discharged him with everyone else. The time to have disputed the discharge and lack of disability payments would have been then, but even then I think it would have been tough with Tony having a history of issues, even if they were the fault of others, prior to entering the Marines.
Depending on his discharge and length of time served Tony may have been eligible for education benefits through the Vietnam Era GI Bill. Vietnam veterans who hadn’t used all of their benefits by the time the Montgomery GI Bill was introduced were allowed to transfer their Vietnam Era GI Bill benefits to the Montgomery GI Bill. However, even if Tony had done that the benefits would have expired a long time ago.
If Tony wants to continue his education he ought to check with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, they sometimes have grants and scholarships for Marine Corps veterans and their families. He might also check with his state’s Department of Veterans Affairs, they sometimes have GI Bill type programs for veterans and generous time limits for using the benefits.
If you think Tony ought to be receiving some sort of disability payment, he is going to have to meet with someone at a VA hospital to discuss that issue.
June 28th, 2010
by GIBillExpert
by GIBillExpert
I am currently receiving the Montgomery GI Bill and have it automatically deposited into my account. I want to know how to change my payment to go to another bank account ASAP. — Albert D.
Changing your direct deposit information for GI Bill purposes is very straightforward, and pretty user friendly. There are a couple of means of doing so.
First, you can use the WAVE system, which is the automated web-based system that you use to verify your enrollment each month. Once you log into WAVE, you will see a Direct Deposit Enrollment Form, which will let you establish or change the information to have your GI Bill payments directly deposited into your bank account.
If you have trouble reaching the WAVE page, you can call the VA’s toll-free GI Bill phone number (1-888-442-4551), or, even better, the VA’s Direct Deposit center’s number at 1-877-838-2778, and you’ll reach someone who can help you out.
June 28th, 2010
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
I wanted to know if I can transfer my G.I. Bill to my daughter. I only have 7 years active duty (2 post 9/11) but my daughter has graduated high school and wants to go to college this fall. Is it true that I need 10 yrs active before this can happen? — Anthony
Not really, Anthony. The way it is worded, you need to have served at least six years on active duty and agree to serve another four years. Also, you have to be at the Post 9/11 GI Bill 100% tier level, meaning you served at least three years on active duty after September 10, 2001 before you can transfer education benefits. And the last kicker is right now, even if you met the other qualifications, you can’t transfer Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits once you are discharged. You can only do it while still on active duty.
If you have the Montogmery GI Bill (MGIB), it does not have a transfer option with it. Right now, probably the best option is for you to use your GI Bill benefits before they expire. The delimiting date is 10 years for the MGIB and 15 years for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Otherwise you won’t get any value at all from your education benefits.
June 28th, 2010
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
I retired from the military almost four years ago with 23 years of service. I have 18 months of MGIB left. My daughter graduates from high school next year, can I transfer my benefits to her? If so what needs to be done? Is it a good idea to transfer it to the new GI bill? I just don’t have enough information to make a educated guess on where to go to from here. Thanks. — Rich
If you were still on active duty Rich, switching from the MGIB to the new Post 9/11 GI Bill, and then transferring the education benefits you have left to your daughter would be the way to go. Unfortunately, you can’t transfer education benefits once you are discharged. There is some legislation in Congress that would fix that, if it passes.
It just isn’t fair for servicemembers like yourself, who retired before the Post 9/11 GI Bill came into effect on August 1, 2009, yet have the time in after September 10, 2001 to fully qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill and all its benefits, except the transfer option.
My suggestion is to be part of the grass roots effort and contact your Senators and Representative, and ask they support the Post 9/11 GI Bill legislation. They are always telling us how they support their veterans (especially around election time) – well here is a way they can show it.
You still could switch to the Post 9/11 GI Bill by submitting VA Form 22-1990 either from the VONAPP Website or downloading the form, completing it and send it in according to the instructions on the form. Then, if anything does change, you would be already positioned to request the transfer.
June 25th, 2010
by Jeffery Anderson
by Jeffery Anderson
Hi, I retired from the Air Force 1985-2004. I’m being told I can’t use the Post 9/11 GI Bill. On my out processing briefing I was not told about that I may have to transfer from the old GI Bill to the new one. Please can you help me. I’d like to give it to my daughter for college. Thanks for your help. Don
Hi Don, I’m sorry to hear you are having a problem. I don’t understand why they are telling you that you can’t use the Post 9/11 GI Bill. You did not have to switch to the Post 9/11 GI Bill when you retired from the Air Force. If you are eligible for more than one GI Bill, you don’t have to choose which one you want to use until you are ready to use them.
In order to be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill a service member has to have served on active duty for at least 90 days after 10 September 2001 and to be eligible for the full benefits they must have served 36 months of active duty after 10 September 2001. Based on your retirement in 2004 you may not be eligible for the full benefits, but you should be eligible for most of them.
I don’t know who is telling you that you aren’t eligible, but I would go into VONAPP and see what comes up. If VONAPP is showing that you aren’t eligible, then I would contact the VA directly, in person at a local office if possible.
As far as transferring your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to your daughter, I’m afraid that even when you get your eligibility straightened out you are not going to be able to transfer benefits. The transfer of benefits provision of the Post 9/11 GI Bill was added in August 2009 and only service members who were in the military on 1 August 2009 or entered after that date can become eligible for that provision.
I suggest you and your daughter look on the Air Force Aid Society website. They have scholarships and grants that your daughter may be eligible for to assist with her education costs.
June 25th, 2010
by Jeffery Anderson
by Jeffery Anderson
Hi, quick question…my husband has been in the Marines 6 years in August and is on his second enlistment. I was in the Marines also and used some of my GI Bill to go to cosmetology school 4 years ago. I am looking to do another career and we are wondering if he can pass his GI Bill to me…can he and who do I contact if he can to get the process started? Thanks! Heather
Hi Heather, Congratulations to you and your husband for serving in the Marine Corps, I think that’s great that you both served! Okay, you mentioned that you used some of your GI Bill to attend school already. I assume you are figuring on using the rest of your benefits to get started with your new studies. I can’t imagine that you have been out long enough that your remaining benefits have expired.
You didn’t mention which GI Bill you used for your cosmetology school, but I would think it was the Montgomery GI Bill, and if that is the case you may have more remaining benefits than you thought. If your time in the Marine Corps started about the same time as your husband’s, then you should be eligible for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. If your cosmetology courses were with the Montgomery GI Bill and you continue using your MGIB until you have used up all 36 months, then you could be eligible for 12 months of Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. This is based on you being eligible for both GI Bills.
Your husband should be able to transfer his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to you in August when he has completed 6 years in the military. In order for the transfer to be approved he will have to agree to remain in the military for 4 years after the transfer takes place. The transfer can be for all or part of his benefits.
All he has to do to transfer the benefits is go to this Department of Defense website and fill out the online application. When the transfer has been approved you can go to VONAPP, like you probably did for your benefits, and apply to use the transferred benefits. Don’t forget you are also eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program with the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
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