I enrolled in the MGIB program, but opted for the College Loan Repayment Program. The USAF paid nearly $7,000 of my college loans that I acquired prior to enlisting in 2000. Does the fact that I received CLRP benefits disqualify me from the new GI Bill?
-- Shawn
Good question, and it’s one we still don’t know the answer to. The Defense Department and VA will have to decide what past benefits disqualify veterans from the new GI bill tuition payments, and which ones simply count as another perk.
For now, we know that veterans who have used up their old GI bill benefits won’t be able to get more money under the new plan. But whether the loan repayment program counts under that remains to be seen. Stay tuned.
Loan repayment
Been trying to find answers for that as well. What they should do is treat it the same as the officer qualifications. Essentially, the Army paid the outstanding balance on our undergrad thru loan repayment, just like a cadet gets a scholarship and accrues no debt, but we didnt come in as an Officer. I think what should be done is the extra time beyond a standard 4 yr enlistment contract should go towards the new GI bill. If I get out after my current contract expires I would have 30 months towards this new GI bill, but would only receive a percentage of it.
RE: Loan repayment
That's an interesting comparison -- I hope the folks over at the VA are watching these boards and taking notes.
CLRP and GI Bill
Actually I do not think they will touch this at all. I have both and am in the AF. I have to do a second enlistment to get the GI Bill since the first counts towards my CLRP. To leave it the same way would make sense.
CLRP
Actually it is covered in the bill and it is treated like Officer benefits. Any time in service that was for the CLRP doesn't count, but anything after that does. Sine it pays 33.33% a year, the first three years of an enlistment don't count but anything after that does. So a standard 4 year enlistment would earn you 60%, that seems fair.