We've covered a lot of questions this week, but I wanted to leave open a thread for anyone who thinks I'm missing some big ones. If you've got issues I haven't tackled yet, post it here and I'll track down the details.
Just to recap what we've had so far:
ELIGIBILITY
Are officers and ROTC folks eligible?
Can I get the new benefits if I never signed up?
Will the changes pay for college this fall?
What state do I live in?
How many credit hours do I need?
Does the loan repayment program disqualify me?
SCHOOLS
What schools can I attend?
Can I use the new benefit for graduate classes?
Can I use the new benefit for online classes?
What about flight schools and trade schools?
RESERVISTS
Will I get partial benefits for a short tour?
Can reservists receive the living stipend?
Will reservists be able to transfer benefits?
TRANSFERING BENEFITS
Who will be able to transfer benefits?
When do those 6- and 10-year requirements start?
Can children get the living stipend?
What happens if I die?
What about college savings funds?
GENERAL
Does everyone love the new GI Bill?
Will I get that $1,200 back?
How long do my old GI bill benefits last?
What forms do I need to file?
Do I need to do anything this fall?
What information does the VA have?
Where can I read the bill?
Housing Allowance
In the interview with the VA, they say the new Bill will cover "tuition and fees directly to any college or university." Are housing fees considered to be part of these "fees?" On-campus housing for new Freshman, for example, can cost up to $10,000. Are these costs covered under the "tuition and fees" or the housing allowance? It doesn't seem to make sense to receive a monthly housing allowance to pay for something that gets paid by the semester/quarter. I'm sure, over the course of the year, the housing allowance would repay the cost, but students might need to cover the cost up front initially. Thanks
-Steve
RE: Housing allowance
Room and board isn't part of the "tuition and fees" at most universities. The new GI bill benefit will cover the tution costs fully (usually there's another few hundred in various fees too) at the start of the semester, and the housing benefit (an average another $1,000 a month on top of that) will get paid out monthly.
If you want to use it for on-campus housing, you can. If you want to use it for a private, off-campus apartment, you can. But there's no guarantee the housing allowance will cover all your living costs. The only promise is you won't have to pay any tuition.
Can I use my spouses new GI Bill Benefit if I have my own?
I separated from the Army in 3/08 after 4+ yrs of active duty service. I paid the $1200 for the GI Bill plus the $600 kicker. I'm attending law school in the fall of 2009, and the new GI Bill amount will not completely cover my tuition expenses. My husband is currently active duty Army with 20+ yrs of active duty service. Is it true that he can transfer his GI Bill benefit to me (under the new plan) and I can draw on his GI Bill benefit to help off set my out of cost expenses for tuition, books, etc.?
RE: Using two benefits
Good question -- I'm still trying to get a lot of answers about dual military couples, so stay tuned. I'll get back to you once I know what's going on.
UPDATE: That was easier than I thought, although I still don't have answer. Those transferability questions are still up-in-the-air, so until the DoD sets outlines for their use we won't know whether folks can use their own GI bill and their spouses' too. Keep an eye on announcements about transferability coming out of the DoD.
Prior Recipients
I havent seen (may have overlooked) any information about prior recipients of the GI Bill. I enlisted in 1985 and recieved GI Bill benefits under Chapter 30 and I used the benefits for college. I was commissioned in 95 through ROTC on a partial scholarship.
Am I eligible for the new GI Bill? Wouldnt mind pursuing a degree in a different career field post retirement (a few years down the road). Thanks.
RE: Prior recipients
Under the changes, you must have served at least 90 days active duty after Sept. 11 to receive new benefits, and you must not have already exhausted your old GI Bill benefits.
If you're still serving, you might be able to receive new benefits, but I doubt it. You'll have to check with the VA and DoD on your specifics.
If you're already out, then I don't see any way you'll qualify.
can i use both benefits?
im going to get out of the army and attend the fall semester of school this year (08). if i dip into my GI bill now, is that going to mean that i am disqualified from getting the better benefits when they go into effect?
RE: Both benefits
Nope -- the only way you'll lose out on all the "Chapter 33" benefits is if you completely use up your old GI Bill benefits.
This year, you'll see about a 20 percent bump in your old GI bill, but won't receive any of the housing or books stipend. Then, starting fall 2009, you'll get the new benefits: Full tuition at a four-year state school (for you it'll only be three years) plus those living and books stipends.
Also, you may see a refund next fall if your 2008 bills are higher than expected (I outlined that over here). But the bottom line is if you're financially set to go to college this fall, there's no reason to change those plans now.
new gi bill and old gi bill
married, trying to transfer my old gi bill to my wife to use to finish college, if i do this am i still able to use the new gi bill?
RE: transfer to wife
Only a few high-demand Army MOSes are eligible for the transfer right now. If you're one of those, and you give your wife the benefits, it'll work just as if you used them.
If she uses one year, you'll have only three years of the new benefits left. If she uses all four, you'll have no benefit.
The new policy allows four years of college total, however you want to divide it over multiple family members.
Enlistment Incentive and Buy-Up Programs
I received an enlistment incentive and was interested in the Buy-Up Program. How will these benefits be affected by the change to the GI Bill?
RE: Buy-Up Program
We covered the $1,200 enrollment program and plus-up over at this post -- basically, that money will come back to troops, but it hasn't been decided how yet.
What's the enlistment incentive you received?
Army College Enlistment
Army College Enlistment Program (Us Army Seasonal Bonus (High Priority Seat), I-IIIA, US Army College Fund (67,284). Also I have contacted the VA twice with questions regarding the New GI Bill, and they have told me both times that the Buy-Up is pretty much worthless.
RE: Army College Enlistment
Hang tight -- I'm trying to track down a better answer for you.
RE: Buy up and incentive
OK -- here's what I got from my contacts over at the VBA education service:
The $600 dollar buy-up is not payable for training pursued in an institution of higher learning under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33.) However, if you are pursuing other training (such as OJT/Apprenticeship, or a certificate program), and you have eligibility under chapter 30, then you can receive benefits from your $600 buy-up.
The Army college fund will transfer over to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Individuals eligible for the college fund will receive payment as an increase to their monthly housing allowance on a prorated basis.
So it sounds like the buy up won't help you unless you're looking at something other than a traditional college degree, but the enlistment incentive will be extra money in your pocket each month. That's good news.
Honorable medical discharge.
I will be leaving the Army at my 33 month mark line due to a condition that existed prior to service. How will this effect my Army College Enlistment Program (Us Army Seasonal Bonus (High Priority Seat), I-IIIA, US Army College Fund (67,284). Will i get 90 percent of it or 33 months?
RE: Medical discharge
I believe you'll get 90 percent, but there are some provisions for early discharges due to medical issues. Check with the VA to make sure you won't get more than just 90 percent.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program
After chapter 33 is implemented will it affect chapter 31? For example, VR&E covers everything but the housing stipend, will the new GI Bill change that?
Re: chapter 31
According to the VA, the two programs will still remain separate, so the chapter 31 benefits won't include the housing stipend. But depending on the circumstances, troops may be eligible for both programs.
The department hasn't developed any guidelines for which program will benefit affected troops more, so talk to your vocational rehab counselor to crunch the numbers and see what gets you the most money.
Search For Birth Father, Cam Ranh Bay 1970
I was born Cam Ranh Village, Vietnam March 1972 - no hospital or adoption involved. My birth father was a Mr. LEWIS, who was station in CAM RANH BAY in spring/summer 1971. He supervised cooks, do payroll, ordered food, inventory, planned menu at MESS HALL uphill. His MOS was 94B30/40 so I been told he was probably Mess Sergeant).
Mom live in Cam Ranh Village & work as typist for Mr. LEWIS in his Mess Hall at top of hill in CRB. Mom met & marry Vietnamese man before I born and they raised me & my 2 half-sisters in Cam Ranh Bay. We were able to get out of Vietnam in 1989 when I was 18, spending one year in the Philippines. Then we were sponsored by a church in Ft. Worth, Texas and were blessed to come to United States in 1991, where we continue to live. I am divorced from a Vietnamese man and have 2 beautiful children (both honor roll students).
Mr. LEWIS, my birth father was med height & weight with thinning brown hair but he look much older than other GI's, so he probably 28-30 years old in 1971, maybe 69+ years old now (probably born c.1941-42). I estimate his DOB to be c.1941-43, since he was probably 26-30 year old in 1971.
Mom only remembers last name LEWIS (on shirt pocket of uniform), not first name. He tell mom one day in summer 1971 that he know he got her pregnant (before she even knew). He told Mom he love her very much and he did not want to leave her but Army was closing MESS HALL and she would soon lose her job & he would be sent home. A few week later all GI's were sent home (LEWIS sent a Vietnamese friend to moms house asking her to come to airport immediately to tell him goodbye but she had no transportation. LEWIS left CRB about Aug./Sept. of 1971 & I born 7 months later in March 1972.
I believe that Mr. LEWIS was probably connected to one or all of the following Units:
124th Trans. Command (Tml A)
10th Hdqtr.& Headqtr Battallion Detachment (Tml A)
442nd (Mdm Trk cargo)
or part of 500th Trans. Group
LEWIS may have been sent with other cooks from CRB to Ft. Sill, Okla. & work in Mess Hall there but I cannot get records from Ft. Sill.
I would never cause Mr. LEWIS family problems or embarrass him, I just hope to someday meet him at least one time. I would fly wherever he is just to talk to him one time in my life. Never a day goes by that I do not think of him. I pray every day that I will meet my father before he dies. Thank you for your help.
Frustration with BAH
The BAH is a great addition to the GI Bill, for those in the position to use it. I realize complaining is silly, as this benefit was not even existent for many of our courageous veterans in the past ... but since it is written into the new bill, I do have a concern about it:
If I'm going to be a full-time student and a parent, I am going to take online courses. Period. So I will not get BAH. A person who goes to school full-time and is able to take college courses in a classroom will recieve BAH.
I understand that the VA is likely trying to avoid granting a veteran living in Kentucky southern California BAH rates, but this is absurd.
Online courses are often more difficult and time-consuming than classroom-setting courses. But not everyone has flexibility, and doing coursework late at night suits us better.