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Did you miss the 2022 GI Bill Summit? VA Education Service leadership answered your GI Bill benefits questions at the first-ever event.
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Hear VBA Education Service leadership answer education benefits questions submitted by Veterans, Service members, and their families on RallyPoint: https://w...
On April 14, 2022, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Education Service (EDU) leadership hosted its first ever GI Bill® Summit, connecting virtually with GI Bill students and the Veteran community to provide updates on Digital GI Bill modernization efforts and answer GI Bill questions submitted on RallyPoint.
The GI Bill Summit was hosted on VA’s Post-9/11 GI Bill Facebook page and featured:
» Opening remarks from EDU Acting Executive Director Mary Glenn
» Question and Answer session with EDU leadership
» Facebook Live chat interaction, answering education benefits questions on the spot
» Showcases of various VA education programs including VRRAP and VET TEC
» Spotlights of Veterans Claims Examiners and a School Certifying Official
In case you missed it, you can watch the recording of the 2022 GI Bill Summit here:
In addition, VA’s Digital GI Bill team hosted a usability testing session with over 600 School Certifying Officials to test out new functionalities being developed to support the Digital GI Bill modernization effort. These new features are focused on making a better experience for Veterans, Service members, their families, and the school administrators and VA staff who support them.
Over the past few weeks, VA answered more than 250 education benefits questions submitted to the 2022 GI Bill Summit: RallyPoint Q&A. Topics included monthly enrollment verification requirements, Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), transfer of entitlement, expiring COVID-19 protections of benefits, and more.
On behalf of the VA EDU leadership, we thank you for your engagement and participation in the GI Bill Summit. Your questions and feedback are invaluable as we work to improve your education benefits experience, and we look forward to continuing these types of conversations with you in the future.
If you have any additional questions, please utilize the GI Bill hotline at 888-GIBILL- [login to see] ) between 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday-Friday. For students outside the U.S., call 00 [login to see] . You can also ask us a question via Ask VA (https://ask.va.gov) or reach out to us through our Post- 9/11 GI Bill Facebook page (https://rly.pt/346jg4T).
The GI Bill Summit was hosted on VA’s Post-9/11 GI Bill Facebook page and featured:
» Opening remarks from EDU Acting Executive Director Mary Glenn
» Question and Answer session with EDU leadership
» Facebook Live chat interaction, answering education benefits questions on the spot
» Showcases of various VA education programs including VRRAP and VET TEC
» Spotlights of Veterans Claims Examiners and a School Certifying Official
In case you missed it, you can watch the recording of the 2022 GI Bill Summit here:
In addition, VA’s Digital GI Bill team hosted a usability testing session with over 600 School Certifying Officials to test out new functionalities being developed to support the Digital GI Bill modernization effort. These new features are focused on making a better experience for Veterans, Service members, their families, and the school administrators and VA staff who support them.
Over the past few weeks, VA answered more than 250 education benefits questions submitted to the 2022 GI Bill Summit: RallyPoint Q&A. Topics included monthly enrollment verification requirements, Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), transfer of entitlement, expiring COVID-19 protections of benefits, and more.
On behalf of the VA EDU leadership, we thank you for your engagement and participation in the GI Bill Summit. Your questions and feedback are invaluable as we work to improve your education benefits experience, and we look forward to continuing these types of conversations with you in the future.
If you have any additional questions, please utilize the GI Bill hotline at 888-GIBILL- [login to see] ) between 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday-Friday. For students outside the U.S., call 00 [login to see] . You can also ask us a question via Ask VA (https://ask.va.gov) or reach out to us through our Post- 9/11 GI Bill Facebook page (https://rly.pt/346jg4T).
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
GI Bill
Education
College
Benefits
Responses: 174
Why can I use the last month of my GI bill even after my delimiting date? Why tell me I received the STEM scholarship but take it away because of my delimiting date?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
If you exhaust your GI Bill benefits mid-semester, as long as your benefits are not expired VA will continue to pay you your education benefits and housing allowance through the end of the semester. If you disagree with a decision that VA has made concerning your benefits, you have the right to request an appeal: https://www.va.gov/decision-reviews/#:~:text=If%20you%20disagree%20with%20a,can%20try%20another%20eligible%20option.
I was given a General Discharge under honorable conditions, but since I've received my Discharge I haven't been allowed to use my
G.I. Bill..... How can I get this fired??
G.I. Bill..... How can I get this fired??
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for a discharge upgrade: https://www.va.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions/. To see what benefits you are eligible for now, please visit our website https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/ . For further assistance, you may call the Education Call Center (ECC) Monday - Friday, 7am to 6pm CT, at [login to see] , or work with a Veterans Service Organization representative.
Will there be any exceptions to taking classes outside your degree plan.
I am in a full time nursing program but it is only worth 9 hours bc of the community college. I want to be full time and would have the time to take an extra class but there are only 6 nursing classes on the degree plan and no electives or anything due to the fact that everything must be completed before acceptance into the program. So for 4 semester I have to be a part time student even though there are many science classes I would love to take to further help me in my career.
I am in a full time nursing program but it is only worth 9 hours bc of the community college. I want to be full time and would have the time to take an extra class but there are only 6 nursing classes on the degree plan and no electives or anything due to the fact that everything must be completed before acceptance into the program. So for 4 semester I have to be a part time student even though there are many science classes I would love to take to further help me in my career.
Heather DeSpain
Talk to your School Certifying Official about "dual objective". Here is an expert from the SCO Handbook about it. Might be helpful for you.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. Under the Round-Out Rule which was passed in the REMOTE Act, VA will pay students full-time education benefits when they pursue their last required classes along with other non-required classes that are part of their degree program to bring their schedule up to a full-time status. The Round-Out Rule requires students to pursue the classes needed to graduate but applies only to the last quarter or semester of a student's program and will only pay for classes that are part of their degree program. We recommend working with your School Certifying Official to look at your degree plan requirements and update as needed. Free Personalized Career Planning and Guidance is also available from Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E). You can begin your review for and application process by visiting this site: https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/education-and-career-counseling/. Check out VBA EDU leadership discussing this topic at the 2022 GI Bill Summit: https://youtu.be/0E5tw0zd4DY?t=946.
I am a dependent of someone who is still on active duty in the National Guard.
I’ve received their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits for college, but was only given 12 months of the 36 given because he has two other dependents.
I believe it works that way to give all three of us 12 months of benefits out of the 36 given, correct?
Is there any way to extend my current benefits for further education?
I’ve received their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits for college, but was only given 12 months of the 36 given because he has two other dependents.
I believe it works that way to give all three of us 12 months of benefits out of the 36 given, correct?
Is there any way to extend my current benefits for further education?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. Service members may transfer GI Bill entitlements to one or more dependents at their discretion prior to separating or retiring, and the Service member can add, remove, or cancel entitlement allocations for dependents at any time. The number of monthly benefits each dependent receives is at the discretion of the Service member who transfers the entitlement. To learn more about scholarship programs VA offers, visit our website: https://va-ams-info.intelliworxit.com . As well, Part Two of the Building Your Future with GI Bill guide series provides more information on how to fund your education: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/docs/gibguideseries/chooseyoureducationbenefits.pdf. Once you have exhausted your transferred GI Bill benefits, you may also be eligible for additional educational assistance through your state’s Veterans office, or by enlisting into a branch of the armed forces to further earn education benefits.
I am currently attending school where I have 2 more years left to graduate but DO NOT HAVE any program to certify my enrolment. Since I only have 21 days remaining of my Post 9/11 benefit to cover the next 2 years, I applied for VR&E program in October 2021 to cover the remaining years. I was assigned to a counselor who provided me with a “Positive Letter” after our first meeting in October 2021. A second counselor was assigned to me again in December 2021, and another one in January 2022. I repeatedly submitted all the required documents to each counselor as each took over the case. I had a virtual meeting with the 3rd counselor in February 2022 but as of now, I have not received any word or document to indicate that I can use the VR&E Program to continue my schooling.
Because I am totally confused of the VR&E Program, below are my questions:
1. Why change counselors (3 counselors in 3 months) and no progress?
2. When multiple counselors are assigned,
(a) why does the process seem to start again?
(b) Are the requirements submitted by the Veteran not PROVIDED/FORWARDED to the new counselor?
(c) Why not just continue what was left off i.e., completion and submission of the Rehabilitation Plan by the latest counselor after the Positive Letter has been issued?
3. Is there no required TIMEFRAME a counselor must adhere to submit the Rehabilitation Plan from the time of the Veteran’s application?
4. Can the VR&E Program process be streamlined to make it not so stressful and more transparent for a veteran to complete? It appears to me that after submission of requirements that they disappear into a BLACK HOLE.
Because I am totally confused of the VR&E Program, below are my questions:
1. Why change counselors (3 counselors in 3 months) and no progress?
2. When multiple counselors are assigned,
(a) why does the process seem to start again?
(b) Are the requirements submitted by the Veteran not PROVIDED/FORWARDED to the new counselor?
(c) Why not just continue what was left off i.e., completion and submission of the Rehabilitation Plan by the latest counselor after the Positive Letter has been issued?
3. Is there no required TIMEFRAME a counselor must adhere to submit the Rehabilitation Plan from the time of the Veteran’s application?
4. Can the VR&E Program process be streamlined to make it not so stressful and more transparent for a veteran to complete? It appears to me that after submission of requirements that they disappear into a BLACK HOLE.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your feedback. After your entitlement decision is made with your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC), you and your counselor will work together to develop a rehabilitation plan. This plan outlines the rehabilitation and other services that VR&E will provide.
You can also meet with VRCs called VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) counselors at schools participating in the VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program. Learn more here: https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vetsuccess-on-campus/
If you disagree with a decision on your application for VR&E services and benefits, you can request a decision review. You can also manage any review requests or appeals you already filed. Learn more here: https://www.va.gov/decision-reviews
You can also meet with VRCs called VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) counselors at schools participating in the VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program. Learn more here: https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vetsuccess-on-campus/
If you disagree with a decision on your application for VR&E services and benefits, you can request a decision review. You can also manage any review requests or appeals you already filed. Learn more here: https://www.va.gov/decision-reviews
What was the rationale to determine when service ended before January 1, 2013, the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits expire 15 years after your last separation date from active service? Members who served before 9/11/2001 and for 10+ years after, but retired mere months prior to January 1, 2013, must use all of their benefits by that time or lose whatever's left. Those that retired in January 2013 converted to the Forever GI Bill.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. The delimiting dates for Veterans depending on date of separation is a legislative mandate. VA is committed to listening to your feedback to build a GI Bill process that works for you and your dependents.
I started up school abroad (university of melbourne) with the intention of using my remaining 2 years of benefits but the school dropped support for the GI bill (after I was accepted of course). There were legislation changes that came into effect which violated Australian privacy laws.The school ultimately decided to drop support. Is there same way to re-enable it (lawyers talking to lawyers to resolve whatever dillema in the wording of the agreements), because without support, I'm going to go in debt as a high-fee paying international student.
There's a small blurb about the drop of support along with a contact email here: https://students.unimelb.edu.au/student-support/scholarships-and-financial-support/international-loan-programs-and-financial-aid
There's a small blurb about the drop of support along with a contact email here: https://students.unimelb.edu.au/student-support/scholarships-and-financial-support/international-loan-programs-and-financial-aid
International loan programs and financial aid
Information about loan and financial aid programs from the U.S, Canada, Norway and Sweden, available to students at the University of Melbourne.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your comment. VA is committed to listening to your feedback and improving the education benefits experience for our Veterans. In order to receive GI Bill benefits you must attend a GI Bill approved school. Unfortunately, since your school has opted to not participate in the GI Bill program VA is not able to provide further assistance. The GI Bill comparison tool can help you find an approved program or school: https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/.
Why are education benefits that I qualified for but were unaware at the time not retro active? My dad is 100% disabled I am his caregiver and currently work two jobs to try and pay my student loan debt… I am just asking for the Army to pay now what they would have paid in 1996-2000. Please do the right thing now and let me take care of my father who served this country on the front lines in 2 foreign wars.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question and your feedback. While benefits cannot be provided retroactively, we appreciate your feedback and VA is continuously working to improve the education benefits experience for Veterans and beneficiaries. Once benefits expire, VA may be able to extend GI Bill benefits under certain circumstances. Please visit our website to learn more about GI Bill benefits extensions: https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-a-gi-bill-extension/ More information about Family and caregiver benefits are available here: https://www.va.gov/health-care/family-caregiver-benefits/
Why does the VA claim working on active orders as "double collecting" for under 30 days order (which do not pay a full housing allowance) while utilizing the GI bill benefits they already earned? One is a promised benefit of active service, and the other is a requirement. Is this a way to get free or discounted labor for reserve forces?
Specifically why is this in place for reservists in online school? These service-members already are underpaid for their earned benefits by 50 percent because they are supposed to have a job in addition to their full time schooling. So why are we penalizing them for continuing to serve part time when we already only pay them part time?
Specifically why is this in place for reservists in online school? These service-members already are underpaid for their earned benefits by 50 percent because they are supposed to have a job in addition to their full time schooling. So why are we penalizing them for continuing to serve part time when we already only pay them part time?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your feedback. Specific orders for service, as reported by your branch, determine your duty status. If this is incorrect, please reach out to your Education Service Officer. As long as you are training at the full-time rate, you will receive the maximum amount of benefits payable, by law. Per federal law, Service members on Active Duty orders are not eligible to receive both Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) and Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) while using GI Bill benefits. We appreciate your feedback and will continue to listen to concerns and respond to ongoing legislative changes to make Veterans experiences better.
Why does the STEM extension apply to premed and residency, but NOT medical school? Medicine is clearly one of the covered programs, and should be covered under the provision regarding "covered clinical training programs". However, when you appeal the denial, VA staff bring up not being an undergrad which is clearly not relevant to anyone who has read the requirements. Anyhow, thanks for hosting this forum!
PO2 Gavin Sowa
Requirements can be found here for anyone curious (https://www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits/stem-scholarship/)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your feedback. Medical school falls under a graduate program, and at this time graduate level programs or graduate level teaching certificates are not eligible for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship. The Rogers STEM Scholarship, as written in the Colmery Act, currently states that you may only use the Rogers STEM scholarship for an undergraduate STEM college degree program, a teaching certification, or a covered training program for health care professionals. Learn more here: https://www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits/stem-scholarship/.
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