New GI Bill First Blush

[Tripped1]

I got this E-mail a minute ago. Seeing how I'm separating from the Navy (going on terminal leave today) and am finishing my EE, this is VERY good news. In fact it's good news for all Vets.

Nice to have a positive for a change...

GI Bill Benefit Update:

The new "Post 9/11 GI Bill" will soon be heading for the Presidents desk. This new benefit will give servicemembers and veterans who have served on active-duty since Sept. 11, 2001, a new education benefits package worth up to roughly $3,000 a month. The same legislation includes a change to the current Montgomery GI Bill that will increase the monthly payment to $1,321 a month -- a total benefit of more than $47,000. The new law also enables servicemembers to transfer their GI Bill benefit to their dependents.




Respectfully,
Military.com

Time to go do a little more research I'll be a full time student in fall.

[Dakota Kid]

One of your best benefits.

[Tripped1]

Holy FUCK this is GREAT!!!!!

New GI Bill Overview
Military.com

The new GI Bill (Chapter 33) or so-called Post-9/11 GI Bill, boasts the most comprehensive education benefits package since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944.

Many post-9/11 veterans and servicemembers will soon be eligible for the most comprehensive education benefits package since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944.

This new bill goes well beyond helping to pay for tuition; many veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001, will get full tuition and fees, a new monthly housing stipend, and a $1,000 a year stipend for books and supplies. The new bill also gives Reserve and Guard members who have been activated for more than 90 days since 9/11 access to the same GI Bill benefits.

Although this new GI Bill is set to go into affect on August 1, 2008, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) could take up to a year or more to begin paying benefits.

The following fact sheet provides a quick reference to answer the following questions you may have about this new GI Bill.

* Am I Eligible?
* How much will I get for Tuition?
* What is the Monthly Stipend for Housing?
* How much is the book stipend?
* Do the benefits expire?
* Does it cover Licensing and Certification?
* Does it cover tutorial assistance?
* Can I transfer this benefit to my dependents?
* How does it compare to the Montgomery GI Bill?
* Is there an enrollment fee?
* How does it affect my current GI Bill eligibility?

Eligibility for the New GI Bill
Those who have served a total of at least 90 days on active duty in the Armed Forces are eligible. The amount of benefits you receive under this program are determined by the actual amount of accumulated post 9/11 service you have.

In addition, the new GI Bill (Chapter 33) will allow officers who are service academy graduates or ROTC scholarship recipients to qualify for the new GI Bill benefits. However, ROTC/Service Academy associated obligated active-duty service time does not count toward the 3 years necessary to qualify for the full benefits.

To be eligible for the full benefit, a veteran must have three years of active duty service after 9/11 or have been discharged due to a service-connected disability.

See the complete eligibility details for further information.

New GI Bill Payment Rates

The Post 9/11 GI Bill will provide up to 100% of your tuition. In addition, the program provides a monthly housing stipend a stipend of up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies. Students attending less than full-time will receive a portion of the payment based on the number of units of study. Your 36 month benefit entitlement will charged for each month you use any combination of the tuition and stipend benefits.

The amount of tuition and stipends paid under the Post 9/11 GI Bill will vary depending on your state of residence, number of units taken, and amount of post Sept. 11, 2001 active-duty service. Here is a quick reference showing the percentage of total combined benefit eligibility based on the following periods of post 9/11 service:

* 100% - 36 or more total months
* 100% - 30 or more days with Disability related Discharge.
* 90% - 30 total months
* 80% - 24 total months
* 70% - 18 total months
* 60% - 12 total months
* 50% - six total months
* 40% - 90 or more consecutive days

Tuition Rates
Under the new GI Bill servicemembers and veterans will be provided tuition at a rate equal to the highest established charges for full-time undergraduate students charged by the public institution of higher education in the State in which you are enrolled.

One of the added features of this tuition payment plan is that it will be paid directly to the school, relieving the student of the responsibility. Similar to military tuition assistance.

Monthly Housing Stipend
Eligible veterans will be paid a monthly housing stipend equal to the monthly amount of the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. The average housing stipend will be approximately $1,400 a month.

Book and Supply Stipend
Students will receive a lump sum payment the first month of each quarter, semester, or term. The payment will help cover the cost of books, supplies, equipment, and other educational fees for that academic term. The payment amount will be equal to either a quarter or half of the annual $1,000 cap for that academic year, depending on how the academic year is divided – quarter or semester terms.

Benefits Expiration Date
Unlike the Montgomery GI Bill, the new GI Bill will allow you to use this benefit for up to 15 years after your last discharge or separation from active duty.

Licensing and Certification Payments
This new GI Bill will provide up to $2,000 to cover the cost of one licensing or certification test. This benefit is not charged against your 36 month entitlement.

Tutorial Assistance
Like the Montgomery GI Bill, the new GI Bill will provide up to a maximum of $1,200 for those students requiring tutorial assistance. The program will pay up to $100 per month, for a maximum of 12 months. This benefit is not charged against your 36 month entitlement.

Benefit Transferability
Although the details have yet to be worked out, the new GI Bill will enable servicemembers to transfer a portion of their benefits to a designated dependent. This will likely require you to re-enlist to take advantage of this feature.

Comparing the Old and New GI Bill’s
The following table highlights the differences between the Montgomery GI Bill and the New GI Bill.




Montgomery GI Bill
Chapter 30


Post 9/11 GI Bill
Proposed - Chapter 33

Payment Rate for
Full-Time Student


Annually set - nationwide - monthly payment rate. Set to increase to $1321 for 2008-2009. Paid to the student each month.


A payment indexed to full in-state tuition for public schools. National average reported to be near $1,700 a month. Paid to the school for each term.
Duration of Program 36 Month entitlement. 36 Month entitlement.

Additional expense
payments


No additional payments for expenses.


Living Expenses - stipend based on local BAH for E-5 with dependents – paid monthly avg. amount app. $1,400 a month.

Books and Fees - Up to $1,000 a year.

Eligibility Requirements


Those who entered service the military after June 30, 1985.


Any active-duty service since Sept. 11, 2001.

VEAP-era
Eligibility


No - Except those who elected to convert in the past.


Yes – those who meet the eligibility criteria above.

Benefit Expiration


10 Years after separation or discharge.


15 Years after discharge or separation.

Transfer benefits
to families


Limited - Currently Limited to Army for Critical MOS only.


Yes - Although the details are still to be released.

Enrollment fee


Yes - $1,200


None - Those who have not yet completed paying their $1,200 for the MGIB may elect to stop further payment.

Affects on Existing GI Bill Benefits
Veterans and servicemembers, who are already enrolled in the Montgomery GI Bill and also meet the criteria for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, have the option to transfer their remaining MGIB benefits.

For many veterans this will be a good option. However, due to the tuition limits set by this new GI Bill, many veterans who are pursuing a post-graduate degree may find the MGIB betters suits their needs. This is also true for those students pursuing an online degree, as this new benefit will not pay the housing stipend to students enrolled in distance learning programs.

Further Eligibility Details:

* You qualify for 100% of the benefit if you have a total of at least 36 months on active duty in the Armed Forces. This includes service on active duty for entry level and skill training.
* You qualify for 100% of the benefit if you have a total of at least 30 continuous days on active duty in the Armed Forces; and after completion of service were discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces for a service-connected disability.
* You qualify for 90% of the benefit if you have a total of at least30 months, but less than 36 months, on active duty in the Armed Forces.
(including service on active duty in entry level and skill training).
* You qualify for 80% of the benefit if you have a total of at least 24 months, but less than 30 months, on active duty in the Armed Forces.
(including service on active duty in entry level and skill training).
* You qualify for 70% of the benefit if you have a total of at least 18 months, but less than 24 months, on active duty in the Armed Forces.
(excluding service on active duty in entry level and skill training).
* You qualify for 60% of the benefit if you have a total of at least 12 months, but less than 18 months, on active duty in the Armed Forces.
(excluding service on active duty in entry level and skill training)
* You qualify for 50% of the benefit if you have a total of at least 6 months, but less than 12 months, on active duty in the Armed Forces.
(excluding service on active duty in entry level and skill training)
* You qualify for 50% of the benefit if you have a total of at least 90 days, but less than 6 months, on active duty in the Armed Forces.
(excluding service on active duty in entry level and skill training)

[jerome_oneil]

Originally Posted by Dakota Kid

One of your best benefits.

True dat.

My Dad used to joke that he went to college and majored in "Veteran's Bennefits."

Dumbest mistake I've ever made in my life was opting out of the GI Bill.

[Dakota Kid]

Originally Posted by jerome_oneil

True dat.

My Dad used to joke that he went to college and majored in "Veteran's Bennefits."

Dumbest mistake I've ever made in my life was opting out of the GI Bill.

Shit due, I milked Uncle's teets till they were raw. Associates, Bachelors and Masters.

Life is good.

[Tripped1]

Originally Posted by jerome_oneil

True dat.

My Dad used to joke that he went to college and majored in "Veteran's Bennefits."

Dumbest mistake I've ever made in my life was opting out of the GI Bill.

The best part, I haven't touched mine yet. I've either paid out of pocket or used TA for my +80 credits toward my Engineering degree. I go to school full time in fall for the first time and this gem gets passed now. Guess I better get a hold of the VA rep at the school and get the nuts and bolts squared away.

I'm pretty thrilled on this one.

[Dakota Kid]

Does it still have the 10 year expiration date on use?

[Tripped1]

Originally Posted by Dakota Kid

Does it still have the 10 year expiration date on use?

15 now, with transfer to dependants.

[Dakota Kid]

Outfuckingstanding!!!! You earned it, now go get you some!

[Tripped1]

Originally Posted by Dakota Kid

Outfuckingstanding!!!!

Thinking of getting edumucated?

[jerome_oneil]

Originally Posted by Dakota Kid

Shit due, I milked Uncle's teets till they were raw. Associates, Bachelors and Masters.

Life is good.

Yup. Back when I was 18 and knew everything, I was absolutely certain I wasn't ever going to spend another day in school, and I wanted that extra $100 a month. Then I spent the next two years in Navy schools.

If I could get in a time machine and go kick my own ass, I would.

[Tripped1]

I joined with the intention of doing one tour and getting out so I paid mine, but yeah could DEFINITELY have used that money when I was an E-3.

[SXSMITH]

I would venture to say that many SBN members won't be seeing any benefits from this.

Someone make a poll asking who on here has served.

[Dakota Kid]

Originally Posted by Tripped1

I joined with the intention of doing one tour and getting out so I paid mine, but yeah could DEFINITELY have used that money when I was an E-3.

How many years on AD?

[Dakota Kid]

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