Five Recent Rulings About the Post 9/11 GI Bill

Since the VA opened up application for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, news on the financial aid plan being offered to veterans has been on the uprise. Here’s five highlights that have been brought up in the first week of May:

1. Transferability to Dependents

The Post 9/11 GI Bill allows a member of the military to transfer up to half of their benefits to a spouse or child if they have been part of the military for a minimum of six years and agree to serve for another four years. The Department of Defense (DoD) has the final word of approval on this eligibility.

This transfer of benefits is meant to have a positive impact on recruitment and retention. Those that have already served for ten years and cannot serve for an additional four years due to disability may also qualify for transferring benefits. Another temporary ruling has been put into effect (until 2013) where if the military personnel was already scheduled for retirement before the four years are up in 2012, they may be eligible to transfer benefits provided they serve until their retirement date (more).

None of this is considered final yet because the rulings have not been officially signed (more).

Addressing these nitty-gritty aspects of eligibilty was likely brought up by several stories of specific issues that came up in an article released today on Navy Times. Two members of the military that served for 20+ years were faced with their benefits potentially not being available to their children due to injury and already-scheduled retirement. This is obviously a great injustice to someone that has served the country for several decades; the DoD and VA realize these kinds of issues need to be addressed.

2. Housing Stipends for Distance Learners

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Bob Filner is currently trying to pass an amendment to the Post 9/11 GI Bill prior to the benefits beginning in August that allows distance learners to receive a living stipend. While this originally was discussed back in February, it was brought up again only a couple of days ago during the rush of May Post 9/11 GI Bill concerns.

Unfortunately, as it stands now, the final ruling (stated yesterday) was that distance learners will not be getting the living stipend. This has a large impact on online education and is one of many reasons why some people might still be applying for the older Montgomery GI Bill. Which leads into the next topic…

3. Post 9/11 GI Bill vs Montgomery GI Bill

Several issues have caused people to weigh the the benefits of the Post 9/11 GI Bill versus the older Montgomery GI Bill.

As an example, distance learners do not benefit from the living stipend, so if they are attending a distance learning program with low tuition costs (such as a community college), the flat fee provided by the Montgomery GI Bill (currently $1,321/month) might yield more than the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Another case are military students attending college in California. Due to the fact that California has declared their tuition costs are zero to in-state students, the Post 9/11 GI Bill provides no tuition benefits to a California student. The flat fee for the Montgomery GI Bill could therefore be more beneficial if given the right circumstances (more).

4. The Yellow Ribbon Program

George Washington University was the latest signer of the Yellow Ribbon Program. Keith Wilson, director of educational services for the Veterans Benefits Administration, said that several private colleges are hopping onboard. The president of GW says that this is the least that a college can do to support the military that has been fighting on their behalf.

Some other colleges and universities that have signed on so far: Knox College in IL, La Roche College in PA, Union College in KY, Centenary College in NJ, Monmouth College in IL, Westminster College in UT, and Seton Hill University in IL (more).

Colleges and universities interested in participating in the Yellow Ribbon program should contact the VA.

5. GI Bill Eligibility and Tuition Rates

People are still looking for information regarding whether they qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill and what tuition is being offered by state. The following are some excellent resources that are from May 2009 for further reading:

• Post 9/11 GI Bill Tuition Benefits by State
• Find Your New GI Bill Fee and Tuition Rate
• GI Bill Official Website