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How Do I Get an Extension of the GI Bill?

March 25th, 2010
by GIBillExpert
How do I go about filing for an extension of my GI Bill? Mine will expire in July of 2010. As of July I will still need 18 credits to complete my BA. — Barry H.
It can be hard to qualify for an extension to the 10-year eligibility window for the GI Bill. You should note, first, that your benefits won’t run out in the middle of an academic term. If the end falls inside of a term, you can get the benefits extended to the end of that term.
There are three circumstances that provide justification for the Veterans Affairs department to grant a requested extension of the 10-year eligibility period of the Montgomery GI Bill. They are: inability to go to school due to a disability, being held by a foreign government, and serving a period of active duty.
In order for a period of disability to justify an extension, you must provide a statement from a physician that the condition prevented you from attending school, and the time period that it prevented you from doing so. The VA can grant an extension equal to the length of that time period.
The same goes for a period during which you were held by a foreign government or power, except that it won’t be a doctor that will provide the statement.
If you serve a period of active duty that qualifies, the 10-year window is re-set to start at the end of that period of active duty, even if your original 10-year period has expired. In order to qualify, the period of active duty must be at least 90 days long, or, if shorter, be terminated due to a medical disability, due to hardship, or due to a reduction in force.
In order to request an extension, you need to actually contact the VA and explain your situation, and they will tell you what you need to do.

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Posted in Education, Montgomery G I Bill, New GI Bill, Veterans Education Benefits | 12 Comments »

12 Responses to “How Do I Get an Extension of the GI Bill?”

  1. Hugo says:
    October 7, 2010 at 10:45 am

    October 7, 2010 at 10:43 am
    I have a question….nearly 30 percent of eligible veterans are unable to use any of their education benefits and most eligible veterans are only able to access a portion of their GI Bill before the 10-year limit is reached.
    This is very sad that our country we served would do this. We put our life on the line, you would think they could gives us the GI Bill for life. Speaking of this Where is the “Cantwell/Larsen Montgomery GI Bill for Life Act of 2007″ Does noboby know about it? It sould repeal both the 10 year and 14 year deadlines.

  2. Ron Kness says:
    October 11, 2010 at 9:53 am

    Evidently it never passed – otherwise the VA would have made the change. Ten years can slip away quickly if one loses track of time. I’m finding some veterans the either didn’t know or didn’t remember the MGIB has a shelf-life. By the time they found out, it was already too late. I agree with your that it should be for life, but without passage of legislation, it won’t happen.

    Ron

  3. David says:
    October 11, 2010 at 12:49 pm

    Ron is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!!! I had no idea that I was even eligible for my Chapter 30 benefits until last week when I got a letter of eligibilty from the VA. I was medically discharged in 2001, and my ten years is obviously over next year (2011). Time flew by, I never knew I was eligible and here I am 8 months from my limit. We are supposed to have 36 months worth of benefits. Then why in world is there a 10 year shelf life to use it? It’s futile. If I have 36 months, then I have 36 months. I don’t see the purpose or point in putting a ten year time limit on it.

    Best of luck guys!

  4. Rich King says:
    January 6, 2011 at 7:03 am

    Yes I agree the 10 year shuold be for life!! I had no clue there was a time limit on the GI Bill and know that I am in a spot to be able to go to school and further my career adn unable to do so. My GI bill just expired November 29 2010 and I was enrolling this Semester. Is there anyway to get an extension on this ???

    Thanks Rich

  5. Ron Kness says:
    January 6, 2011 at 8:56 am

    Generally speaking, only if you were:
    - recalled back to active duty;
    - detained by a foreign power;
    - temporarily disabled to the point of where you could not attend classes.

    Outside of that, approval for extensions are slim to none.

    Ron

  6. Tracey says:
    January 9, 2011 at 10:55 pm

    I agree ! Readjusting back into civilian life, kids, relocations,work,etc. time flies. I’m in a position now to take advantage of school, but my benefit eligibilty for educational benefits has expired. Isn’t that something.

    You’d think that extending this for life would help make sure more Veterans don’t end up on the streets.

    Can I atleast get the money I contributed back? Or will it be an endless back and forth with me begging?

  7. Ron Kness says:
    January 10, 2011 at 6:21 am

    No, you won’t get your money back.

    Ron

  8. Daniel Marquez says:
    March 4, 2011 at 8:20 am

    What if only a few months is owed to you 5 or 6 and you are still going to school ? Is there any way to get an appeal or any loopholes that can help me out?

  9. Ron Kness says:
    March 6, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    Without more information, it is even hard to guess. Are you asking if you can get more months of benefits to continue your schooling? If that is your question, the answer is it depends. If you are eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill and currently going to school under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), then it is possible to get an additional 12 months of education benefits.

    To get the extra months, first exhaust all of your MGIB entitlement and then switch over to the New GI Bill using VA Form 22-1990. If you are using the Post 9/11 GI Bill now, then no, there isn’t any additional benefits available.

  10. William Davis says:
    March 31, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    Is it possible to get an extension of benefits being used if my gi bill is about to run out and I am still taking classes?

  11. Ron Kness says:
    April 1, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    Most likely not. If you are approaching your delimiting date, then the VA generally consider an extension if you were:
    - detaine by a foreign power
    - recalled back to active duty
    - temporarily disabled and not able to attend class.

    If you are just running out of months of benefit, you could qualify for an additional year of entitlement. If you qualify for both the Post 9/11 GI Bill and you are using the Montgomery (MGIB) GI Bill, then once you run out of MGIB benefits, request the Post 9/11 GI Bill. If you only qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill or you have already switched to the Post 9/11 GI Bill, then once you have used up all your Post 9/11 GI Bill entitlement, you are done.

  12. Andrew says:
    June 22, 2011 at 6:55 am

    I’ve been looking around for information on extending benefits under Chapter 35, but I haven’t been able to find much to go on.

    Are the 3 factors listed above the only circumstances for extension, even under Chapter 35 (DEA)? Or would I have no luck seeking an extension?

    Thank you for your help!

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