Veterans Benefits GI Bill

For future and current Post 9/11 GI Bill applicants, the Army of Dude blog has answers to questions you might not find on the VA’s website. Dude’s answers come from his own experience with the Post 9/11 GI Bill, interaction with other applicants, and from interviews from friendlier representatives at the government agencies. As he [...]

Students and schools alike still express confusion about the Post 9/11 GI Bill. On Monday, a local Wisconsin news reporter wrote about the confusion involved in the Wisconsin and the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Just a few weeks back, a permanent tuition fix was offered for California and the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

The worst part about getting your Post 9/11 GI Bill facts mixed up is that if you elect to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill for your college tuition and find out it is not in your best interest, there’s no switching back. Once you have applied for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, that’s the only financial package you’re going to get.

The GI Bill Facebook Community answers the questions on the minds of many college students beginning the fall semester: “When will I get paid?”

The answer to this question is based on two factors:

1. Has the VA received all the necessary paperwork?
2. Are you talking about tuition fees or your BAH?

Schools have to submit an enrollment certification to the VA in order for the VA to disperse monetary benefits. Comments suggest that some schools are having students hand this certification to the VA, but whether it is through a school official’s hands or you own hands, you need to make sure some channel of information is established between your university and the VA. The VA needs to know, from the university’s paperwork and not your word alone, that you are enrolled for the fall semester.

On Monday, Obama celebrated the Post 9/11 GI Bill, a new GI Bill dedicated to the veterans that fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is meant to be an investment in veterans, reserve, active duty, and the future of America.

The Obama administration expects $78 billion to be paid out over the Post 9/11 GI Bill over the next decade.

“We do this not just to meet our moral obligation to those who sacrificed greatly on our behalf, on behalf of the country,” quotes Obama at a celebration held at George Mason University. “We do it because these men and women must now be prepared to lead our nation in the peaceful pursuit of economic leadership in the 21st century.”

August 1, 2009 was the starting date for the Post 9/11 GI Bill’s payment processing for the fall semester. Applicants for the Post 9/11 GI Bill for the fall semester should begin receiving funds. For applicants that registered for the Post 9/11 GI Bill awhile back and still have not received the new GI Bill’s financial aid, check your status with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

Prospective college students may still apply for the Post 9/11 GI Bill for the upcoming spring 2009 semester. Prospective college students may choose to look into military-friendly school options so that they may also utilize the Yellow Ribbon Program benefits. Military-friendly schools also have the added benefit of providing degree programs specifically tailored for active duty, reserve, and veterans.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill Facebook page has reached 1,000 fans with a week remaining before the Post 9/11 GI Bill goes into effect. If you or one of your dependents have applied for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, the Facebook and Youtube dedicated to the new GI Bill have valuable information to help you move smoothly through the entire financial aid process. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affair’s site also has a wealth of information.

As the Post 9/11 GI Bill’s August 1st, 2009 launch date approaches, the Veterans Benefits GI Bill thought it would be beneficial to compile a list of useful resources pertaining to new GI Bill applicants. The following resources will help you better understand this military financial aid program:

The U.S. Department of Defense released a video that discusses the over 90,000 applications received for the Post 9/11 GI Bill:

It’s approaching the month of August, where the Fall Semester 2009 starts off with the first Post 9/11 GI Bill benefactors! Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs has scheduled a timely Q&A for military students to answer all of their questions, needs, and concerns.

Keith Wilson, the Director of Education Services at the U.S. Department of Education, will be available for a Q&A session on July 24, 2009. He will be available on the Pentagon Channel.

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs has a Facebook dedicated to active duty, reserve, and veterans interested in the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Become a fan and get updates in your Facebook on the latest news concerning the new GI Bill and other military financial aid!
Also, the VA has an official YouTube channel available.
Social media [...]