Frequently Asked Questions
What will the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational
Assistance Act do for me?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for
education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of
aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals
discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.
You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for
the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
-
Some of the benefits the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay
include:
-
Your full tuition & fees directly to the
school for all public school in-state students. For those
attending private or foreign schools tuition & fees are
capped at the national maximum rate.
Click here for more information.
-
For those attending a more expensive private school or a
public school as a non-resident out-of-state student, a
program exists which may help to reimburse the difference.
This program is called the
“Yellow Ribbon Program”. (Click on
the link for more information about the Yellow Ribbon
Program, not everyone is eligible for the program).
-
A monthly housing allowance (MHA) based
on the
Basic Allowance for Housing
for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school.
For those enrolled solely in distance learning the housing
allowance payable is equal to ½ the national average BAH for
an E-5 with dependents
-
An annual books & supplies stipend of $1,000
paid proportionately based on enrollment.
-
This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits,
generally benefits are payable for 15 years following your release
from active duty.
How do I start using my Post 9/11 benefits?
Apply for your benefits by completing VA Form 22-1990, Application for VA
Education Benefits online at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp.
Select a school you would like to attend and make sure it is
approved for veterans benefits. Once you have been admitted to the school, talk
to a counselor and select a degree program. Register only for courses required
under your degree program. Request transcripts from all previous educational
institutions and your military transcript and have them evaluated for possible
credit toward your degree. This is a DVA (Department of Veterans Affairs)
requirement.
Am I eligible to transfer my Post 9/11 benefits to my spouse or children?
Any member of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected
Reserve, officer or enlisted) on or after August 1, 2009, who is
eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and meets the requirements
below, may transfer benefits:
1. Has at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces
(active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval
and agrees to serve 4 additional years in the Armed Forces from
the date of election.
2. Has at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces
(active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval,
is precluded by either standard policy (service or DoD) or
statute from commtting to 4 additional years, and agrees to
serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or
statute.
3. Is or becomes retirement eligible during the period
from August 1, 2009, through July 31, 2012, and agrees to serve
an additional period of service.
What will the Montgomery GI Bill do for me?
The Montgomery GI Bill will provide you with a monthly educational allowance to
help you pay for your education. The monthly benefit amount depends upon the
number of credits you take each term, the length of each course, and the length
of your initial enlistment. During a standard 16-week semester, 12 semester hours
or more is considered full time. Please access the following website for current
pay rates www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm.)
If you are eligible for the College Fund, you will receive additional monies. You
may be eligible for 36 months of full-time educational benefits, provided you
completed your initial obligation with an honorable discharge.
Benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from
active duty.
How do I start using my Montgomery GI Bill?
Apply for your benefits by completing VA Form 22-1990, Application for VA
Education Benefits online at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp.
Select a school you would like to attend and make sure it is
approved for veterans benefits. Once you have been admitted to the school, talk
to a counselor and select a degree program. Register only for courses required
under your degree program. Request transcripts from all previous educational
institutions and your military transcript and have them evaluated for possible
credit toward your degree. This is a DVA (Department of Veterans Affairs)
requirement.
How does the Department of Veterans Affairs know to pay me?
The campus Veterans Coordinator will certify your enrollment. The DVA will process your claim and send a check
directly to you or to a direct deposit account designated by you.
Students who receive either the MGIB or Selected Reserve MUST verify their
enrollment each month to receive payments. This verification can be done either
by using the
Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE)
system or by using an automated telephone system (1-877-823-2378).
When will I receive my first check? How do I find out the status of my payments?
New applicants should allow 8-12 weeks from the date your application for
benefits and your certification of enrollment was processed by the college to
receive your first check. You will be paid retroactively from the first day of
class. Once you receive your first check, subsequent checks should arrive near
the middle of each month; by setting up direct deposit, the monies are
deposited the first week of the month.
Students may inquire about the status of a pending claim through the
Support/Submit a Question website
https://gibill.custhelp.com/app/utils/login_form/redirect/askStudents may also call 1-888-442-4551
(1-888-GI Bill-1).
Must I attend school full-time to receive my benefits?
No. You may take as many or as few courses as you feel you can comfortably
manage. Your monthly payment will be determined by the number of semester
hours in which you are enrolled and the length of your courses. For instance,
if you are a full-time student taking 12 or more semester hours, you will
receive full-time benefits for each month you continue with this training
time. If you are a part-time student taking less than 12 semester hours, your
monthly benefit checks will be reduced accordingly. You must be enrolled
half-time or more in order to receive a monthly payment from the DVA. If you
are enrolled for less than half-time, or if you are on active duty, you will
receive a lump sum payment of tuition cost or the amount of your monthly
benefits, whichever is less. Exception: Chapter 33 pay is
different.
Will I automatically receive benefits next semester?
No. Students must submit a Notification of Veterans Student Status form at the
start of each semester. The Veterans Coordinator will review your program
of study and certify the courses you are enrolled in are required to complete
your degree program. Certification of Enrollment will then be sent to the
Processing Office.
What happens if I withdraw from a course? What if I fail a course?
If you withdraw from a course the DVA may require you to repay the money for this
course unless you withdrew due to reasons
beyond your control. If the DVA accepts your reason for withdrawing as being
beyond your control, you will be paid through the last day of attendance. If this
is the first instance you withdrew, the DVA may consider mitigating circumstances
exist without explanation from you for withdrawing from a course or courses
totaling not more than 6 semester hours. Note: You must report any changes in
your class schedule to your Veterans Coordinator to avoid overpayment of your
educational benefits.
If you fail a course and the course is required for graduation, the DVA will pay
you to repeat it and they will not recover the money they already paid you for the
course you failed. However, you must maintain satisfactory academic progress as
measured by your cumulative grade point average and the number of credits you have
attempted. If your progress becomes unsatisfactory, your benefits will be suspended
until you regain satisfactory progress for your degree program.
Can I enroll in any course I want?
No. Once you are placed into a program, you can only take classes that are
required under that program; DVA will not pay for a course that cannot be used in
your degree program. Also, DVA will not pay for a course you have already taken
and successfully completed.
Can I change my degree program?
Yes. The DVA allows you to make a plan change. You will need to select a new
program of study, have all your previous credits evaluated and complete
Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (VA form
22-1995) on-line at Veteran Affairs On-Line Application.
What if I am called to active duty?
Once you have received orders, you have the following
options:
- Drop all classes and 100% of the tuition and fees will
be refunded.
- Withdraw from all classes and receive a "W" grade.
Please note there will be no refund of tuition and fees.
- Make arrangements with the instructor to receive an
incomplete grade.
- Complete the work upon return from active duty and
convert the incomplete grade to a letter grade. Please
note failure to complete the work will result in a failing
grade.
Please note your decision may impact any tuition assistance or
financial aid you may have through state and federal programs.
Please consult with the Veterans Coordinator and the financial aid
office as soon as possible.
What about transcript requests?
What information can I obtain by calling 1-888-442-4551?
This toll free line provides information on DVA educational benefits 24-hours a
day, seven days a week. The automated system provides a wide range of
information about DVA educational benefits and specific information about
individual accounts. You
may also access the following web site for additional information
www.gibill.va.gov/.
|
