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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
Currently, the Post-9/11 GI Bill policy only authorize service members of active duty and Selected Reserve transfer ability of unused education benefits to immediate family members.
1) Is a review being conducted to amend, remove or rewrite this limitation/restriction?
2) If an update to authorize who can transfer unused education benefits is approved and conducted, will the rewrite or amendment include 1) retirees, 2) those who did not retire but were honorably discharged with 100% service connected disability, and 3) those post discharged with now 100% service connected disability?
1) Is a review being conducted to amend, remove or rewrite this limitation/restriction?
2) If an update to authorize who can transfer unused education benefits is approved and conducted, will the rewrite or amendment include 1) retirees, 2) those who did not retire but were honorably discharged with 100% service connected disability, and 3) those post discharged with now 100% service connected disability?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Defense determines who can transfer their GI Bill benefit and must approve the Transfer of Entitlement while you are on active duty. VA is not aware of any current plans to revise the program. We know this is an important topic and many people have asked similar questions. VA is listening to your feedback and we are consistently looking at legislation and working with Congress and other GI Bill® partners to provide a GI Bill process that works for you and your family. Check out VBA EDU leadership discussing this topic at the 2022 GI Bill Summit: https://youtu.be/0E5tw0zd4DY?t=528. With regard to a 100% service-connected disabled Veteran, their family members may qualify for other education benefits such as Dependents Education Assistance (DEA). Learn more here: https://www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/dependents-education-assistance/
Since we are considered brethren in arms, why can't those that don't desire to go to school, transfer those benefits to those that would desire to go, who may have consumed the benefits they were allotted? Secondly, the BAH should be in full for those doing online learning. With COVID-19, this is a safer route. Lastly, require schools to show members the other degrees available with taking one or two more classes. Many are unaware they can have an additional degree by taking a few courses more, for another degree. In many cases, no other classes are required, just apply for the conferral. I did it and have two Associates and two bachelors.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your feedback. With regard to transfer of benefits, we wanted to provide some background information. The Post-9/11 GI Bill was created in part to retain members in the military after 9/11. Then in 2009, the law was changed to allow Service members to transfer their benefits to dependents in exchange for four years of additional service. You can transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to your children or spouse if you’ve completed 6 years or more of military service and agree to complete 4 more years. With that said, you do still have to be in either the Reserves or Active Duty to transfer your benefits. Under current legislation, you have to transfer one month’s worth of entitlement before you separate or retire in order for your child or spouse to be eligible to use your GI Bill benefits. However, as a part of the Colmery Act of 2017, it is possible to reallocate and transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to another dependent if a Veteran, Service member, or transfer of entitlement recipient dies after August 1, 2009. In this situation, it is possible to transfer entitlement after separation. [Visit https://benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/FGIB/Reallocation.asp to learn more]. The law does not allow individuals to transfer benefits to others who are not eligible family members. We know this is an important topic and many people have asked similar questions. Visit https://www.va.gov/education/transfer-post-9-11-gi-bill-benefits/ to learn more. Check out VBA EDU leadership discussing this topic at the 2022 GI Bill Summit: https://youtu.be/0E5tw0zd4DY?t=528
With regard to Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), by law, MHA rates for students enrolled in online learning course is 50% of the national average. As you know, COVID-19 prompted an increase in remote learning, and we worked with Congress to provide in-resident MHA rates for those whose courses were converted to online. We know that the pandemic has caused schools and students to reconsider how they deliver and receive training, and we are working with our partners including Veterans Service Organizations on what those changes may mean for GI Bill students
With regard to Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), by law, MHA rates for students enrolled in online learning course is 50% of the national average. As you know, COVID-19 prompted an increase in remote learning, and we worked with Congress to provide in-resident MHA rates for those whose courses were converted to online. We know that the pandemic has caused schools and students to reconsider how they deliver and receive training, and we are working with our partners including Veterans Service Organizations on what those changes may mean for GI Bill students
Can Veterans get 100% BAH if they do full time internship with a Real Estate Company or with A Real Estate Agent of a Real Estate company?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. The internship in question must be a requirement for a degree or program you are completing in order for it to count towards Monthly Housing Allowance benefits. If it is, the internship will count towards the number of credits taken for that semester for all GI Bill purposes. If it is not part of a degree program or not listed as a required class, then VA is not authorized to pay for it and your entitlement will not be charged. You may review approved programs and the estimated payment rates by searching the GI Bill® Comparison Tool here: https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/
I'm 75 YO and I have Parkinson's disease. I don't know where it came from. The Viet Nam war or the GULF WAR. I served in both and retired in 2005. I'm also designated as "HOUSEBOUND" . WHY IS IT TAKING A FULL YEAR as of March 16th ,2021, to get my proper coverage updated and awarded to me ARE YOU WAITING FOR MY DEATH ??? You keep advertising all the GI Benefits I've already erarned. BUT is this PART of the current administration philosophy of "THE ONLY GOOD VET IS A DEAD VET !! "
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. The following page offers more information about Aid and Attendance benefits including Housebound allowance: https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/ VHA can be reached at the following numbers: Health benefits hotline [login to see] ), My HealtheVet help desk [login to see] ), eBenefits technical support [login to see] ). VA is committed to listening to your feedback and improving the education benefits experience for our Veterans.
I live in Phoenix, AZ and the cost of living has exponentially risen in the last year. So much so that the BAH I receive does not cover a one bedroom unit, I don’t think it reflects the BAH allowance of an E-5 if it cannot afford a one bedroom unit in Phoenix AZ. Is there a more efficient way to be able to reflect the current cost of housing in a particular area? How often do these BAH calculators get reviewed? Is there a retroactive compensation for not being given the current cost of housing BAH?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
We understand that cost of living can rise with inflation. Monthly Housing Allowance rates run equivalent to the Basic Housing Allowance rate for an Active Duty E-5 with dependents, which is determined annually by the Department of Defense (DoD), to account for exactly that. Annually, on January 1, the DoD updates its Basic Housing Allowance rates. VA then adjusts the Monthly Housing Allowance annually on August 1 to match. Our rates are dependent on the DoD’s housing rates, and we don’t have control over how those change year to year. You can use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to get an estimate of your benefits, which can be accessed here: https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/. Check out VBA EDU leadership discussing this topic at the 2022 GI Bill Summit: https://youtu.be/0E5tw0zd4DY?t=1149. Thank you for your feedback, VA is listening and are continuously looking for ways to improve the Veteran experience.
I have completed my degree and I have 3 months remaining on my GI bill. Is it possible to receive the remaining without going to school or would I have to attend school to receive the remaining.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. In order to receive GI Bill benefits, you must be enrolled in an approved education or vocational track. To explore your options for education, training and certification opportunities, please visit: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/.
I’m 100% disabled. I used up my GI Bill on a bachelors degree. I have lots of free time and I want to stay in school for the masters. How is this possible?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. If you’ve separated and have a disability that inhibits your ability to work or prevents you from working, you could qualify for Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits, VR&E, or Chapter 31. This program offers five support-and-services tracks to help you get education, training, or find and keep a job. Learn more on our website: https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/
For my education benefits I know there is more just one scholarship available to use. I am already using one, the Fry Scholarship and I am 19... am I able to use the other education scholarships once I have finished the max months from the Fry scholarship?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. Once you exhaust the Fry Scholarship benefit, you may be eligible for the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) if you’re the child of a service member who passed away in the line of duty before August 1, 2011. DEA provides monthly payments to help cover the cost of almost any education program. DEA also applies to children or spouses of service members or Veterans who are 100% disabled. If you qualify for both the DEA and Fry Scholarship, you can get up to 81 months of education and training through both benefits, but you’ll need to use one program at a time. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/dependents-education-assistance/depending on your field of study, you may qualify for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM scholarship. This provides up to additional 9 months or $30,000 of benefits to qualifying Veterans and Fry Scholars. Find out more here: https://www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits/stem-scholarship/ . Also, depending on your field of study, you may be eligible for one of the VA scholarships listed here: https://va-ams-info.intelliworxit.com/. Check out VBA EDU leadership discussing this topic at the 2022 GI Bill Summit: https://youtu.be/0E5tw0zd4DY?t=758.
My question is, If we have already earned a degree (Associate, Bachelor, whichever), why are we not able to take courses we are interested in without being locked into a specific degree goal. I have two degrees and I would like to use up the rest of my GI Bill by taking interesting classes (Spanish, Art, etc) without being locked into a specific degree.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. In order to receive GI Bill benefits, you must be enrolled in an approved education or vocational track. There are a variety of tracks to select from, including Work study and Non-College Degree (NCD) programs. To explore your options for education, training and certification opportunities, please visit: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/.
If we have to move, and I am not sure what city I will live in and there are Ogle Schools of Cosmetology branches near both cities we are looking at, can I apply to one and have it changed quickly to the other branch if it's the same company without a long delay? And how do I get the change of school form. I can only put one of the branches of schools I am applying to on the form so I don't know how that works if I list one and and hour away I end up going to the other branch. How would I fill that out on the form?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. You can apply to change your place of study through the VA Form 22 1995, which can be accessed here https://www.va.gov/education/apply-for-education-benefits/application/1995/introduction. For further assistance, we recommend contacting our Education Call Center [login to see] . Once your request is received by VA it can take up to 30 days to process.
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