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Changes coming to the Post-9/11 GI-Bill

Posted 1/5/2011 Email story   Print story

    

1/5/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 was recently signed into law.

Effective Aug. 1, 2009, but not payable until Oct. 1, 2011

-- Certain National Guard members mobilized on Title 32 orders on, or after, Sept. 11, 2001 are now eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and any qualifying Title 32 mobilization may be used to increase your percentage of eligibility

Effective Aug. 1, 2011

-- The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay all public school tuition and fees; this includes graduate training, out-of-state tuition differential, etc.

-- For students attending private institutions of higher learning or foreign schools, the tuition and fee reimbursement will be capped at the lesser of net out-of-pocket cost or $17,500 annually. However the Yellow Ribbon Program still exists

-- College fund payments will be paid on a monthly basis instead of a lump sum at the beginning of the term. Those training at one-half time or less will be eligible for college fund payments

-- Reimbursement will be available for multiple licensing and certification tests

-- Reimbursement will be available for fees paid to take national examinations used for admission to an institution of higher learning, such as the SAT

-- Vocational Rehabilitation participants will be able to elect the higher housing allowance offered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill if otherwise eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill

-- Break or interval pay will no longer be payable under any Department of Veterans Affairs education benefit program unless under an executive order of the president or due to an emergency situation such as a natural disaster or strike. Entitlement that previously would have been used for break pay will be available for use during a future enrollment. This means that if a semester ends Dec.15, housing allowance is paid for the first 15 days of December only. Benefits will begin again when a new semester begins. Benefits will be paid for the remaining days of that month and term.

-- Students using other VA education programs are included in this change. Monthly benefits will be prorated in the same manner.

Effective Oct. 1, 2011

-- For those training at greater than one-half time, housing allowance will be prorated according to the training time those are enrolled in. For example, if a person's full housing allowance is $1000, and that person is attending three-quarters time, housing allowance would be $750.

-- Housing allowance will be payable to students enrolled solely in distance learning. The housing allowance will be one-half the national average basic allowance for housing for an E-5 with dependents. The rate would be $673.50 for 2011)

-- Non-college degree programs, on-the-job training and flight-training programs will be covered under the Post-9/11 GI Bill

-- The book stipend will be payable to active-duty members

(Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)



tabComments
7/12/2011 6:39:09 PM ET
I love that the distance learning students will now get BAH but have to agree with others... Why is it not the same as an individual who takes one course at a school house or college? The workload is equal.
concerned military retiree, Georgia
 
1/7/2011 12:00:26 PM ET
I can't believe people are complaining about the amount of money they are getting for housing. My suggestion is that you go get a job and help pay for your housing. Unless you are unable to work someone paying for your tuition should suffice. This "nanny state" mentality, "everyone owes me" attitude is ridiculous.
Eric Scott, Scott AFB
 
1/6/2011 7:25:12 PM ET
I agree. Not paying BAH, or now paying only 12 the BAH of an in-residence student is ludicrous. I can't live in my computer. I must pay for a home or apartment. This just doesn't pass the common sense test. Oh wait I forgot. We are talking about a government-run operation. Of course, many of the elected officals making these rules lost touch with reality a long time ago because of the perks and special treatment they receive.
John Alspaugh, Bellevue NE
 
1/5/2011 10:30:35 PM ET
The BAH rate for distance learning needs to be equal to the resident's rate. Going to school online is the same study-work load and burden as attending in residence.
Retired MSgt P., South Korea
 
1/5/2011 4:34:27 PM ET
In regards with the BAH for Distance Learning what is the difference in living at home and going the school online and going to school and an institution. I think the distance learning students should get equal amounts of BAH due to the geographical location of the recipient as the students that are going to school on campus.
Tomas Melendez, San Diego Ca
 
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