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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
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Responses: 174
A student is able to use dependent Chapter 35 in a highschool when the dependent reaches 18 y/o and the HighSchool gets certified with the VA. The prinicipal at my son's highschool is the Certifying offical and she has been trying to certify my son's school time for over 4 months now. She has mailed the forms, emailed it, faxed it, signed up and sent an inquiry through AVA with no response and finally sent a voicemeil with the ELR. The NC ELR sent an email back to her stating they are not performing ELR duties at this time due to a year long detail with the central office and to send all questions to the NC state ELR email box. Which she has done with no reply back on her question of why they are not receiving the paperwork and what more she can do. She has completed the online certification but it did not address highschools very clearly. Why is there such a disconnect with the ELRs? and Why is there no way for a Student or High school certifying official to speak with and get help with certification issues? This is nothing that the general education benefits hotline will help you with.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. VA is committed to listening to your feedback to improve the user experience. We recommend contacting the Education Call Center (ECC) Monday - Friday, 7am to 6pm CT, at [login to see] for further assistance.
why don't we get paid during school breaks, when we still have rent to pay? how should we survive!!
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Your enrollment certification, as submitted by your school, determines whether you are considered as a full or part time student, during the time that you are taking classes. VA pays Monthly Housing Allowance for the days you attended class during your scheduled term. VA is not authorized to pay benefits while a student is not attending school or training. We appreciate the feedback and will continue to listen to concerns and respond to ongoing legislative changes to make Veterans’ experiences better. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/resources/benefits_resources/rates/ch33/ch33rates080121.as. Check out VBA EDU leadership discussing this topic at the 2022 GI Bill Summit: https://youtu.be/0E5tw0zd4DY?t=1149
I heard that VA launched an effort to modernize the GI Bill with a Digital GI Bill. What does this mean and how will it impact my access to benefits?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. VA’s GI Bill modernization, also known as Digital GI Bill, is an effort through which we are improving your experience in accessing, managing, and using your GI Bill benefits.
By leveraging a human-centered design approach, we are putting you – the student, the Veteran, the School Certifying Official – at the center of the experience. Through ongoing engagements and focus groups, we are gathering your feedback and creating a system that works for you and your needs, whether that’s rolling out a streamlined application process or helping you get quicker decisions.
One update we recently made was enhancing the GI Bill Comparison Tool to add a map feature and a side-by-side comparison feature to make it much easier to research and weigh your options for GI Bill approved colleges and programs. Check out the GI Bill Comparison Tool here: https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/
You’ll start to see additional changes taking place over time, and we’ll be keeping you informed of changes and how they impact you through chool Certifying Officials newsletter, and social media: https://www.facebook.com/gibillEducation?msclkid=9e8f379bcfb811ec8c5e9afed90911ce. Check out VBA EDU leadership discussing this topic at the 2022 GI Bill Summit: https://youtu.be/0E5tw0zd4DY?t=211.
By leveraging a human-centered design approach, we are putting you – the student, the Veteran, the School Certifying Official – at the center of the experience. Through ongoing engagements and focus groups, we are gathering your feedback and creating a system that works for you and your needs, whether that’s rolling out a streamlined application process or helping you get quicker decisions.
One update we recently made was enhancing the GI Bill Comparison Tool to add a map feature and a side-by-side comparison feature to make it much easier to research and weigh your options for GI Bill approved colleges and programs. Check out the GI Bill Comparison Tool here: https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/
You’ll start to see additional changes taking place over time, and we’ll be keeping you informed of changes and how they impact you through chool Certifying Officials newsletter, and social media: https://www.facebook.com/gibillEducation?msclkid=9e8f379bcfb811ec8c5e9afed90911ce. Check out VBA EDU leadership discussing this topic at the 2022 GI Bill Summit: https://youtu.be/0E5tw0zd4DY?t=211.
Suspended Profile
When will VA update the SCO Handbook? Policies on Rounding Out and reporting schedule changes have been modified, but the Handbook has not been updated since Oct, 2021. Students and School Certifying Officials needs to know how education benefits are processed.
SCO Handbook is not regularly updated and is a key tool for SCOs to understand VA policy. It is showing the last updated date of October 29, 2021. When will this be updated again and can the frequency of updates better keep up with VA policy changes?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The team works hard to ensure that the School Certifying Official handbook is updated on a regular basis, with the most recent updates being as recent as April 12, 2022. You can access the online version here: https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/ [login to see] 01018/content/ [login to see] 49088/School-Certifying-Official-Handbook-On-line. The link to this online version is regularly provided via email. Additionally, SCOs are kept abreast on all GI Bill updates through emails, Office Hours, our SCO in the Know newsletter and more. If you are not already doing so, we encourage you to attend the monthly SCO office hours and subscribe to the newsletter: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVAVBA/bulletins/30be569
I have submitted questions to the ELR as well as ask VA and often (if not most of the time) i get a response of "Use the SCO Handbook"... The SCO handbook hasn't been updated since October 2021 yet there have been key changes with both law and policy (i.e. rounding out policy) that don't coincide with what the SCO handbook has.
When will the SCO handbook be updated and can it be updated on a more frequent basis (perhaps even updated as a policy change is released)?
When will the SCO handbook be updated and can it be updated on a more frequent basis (perhaps even updated as a policy change is released)?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The team works hard to ensure that the School Certifying Official handbook is updated on a regular basis, with the most recent updates being as recent as April 12, 2022. You can access the online version here: https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/ [login to see] 01018/content/ [login to see] 49088/School-Certifying-Official-Handbook-On-line. The link to this online version is regularly provided via email. Additionally, SCOs are kept abreast on all GI Bill updates through emails, Office Hours, our SCO in the Know newsletter and more. If you are not already doing so, we encourage you to attend the monthly SCO office hours and subscribe to the newsletter: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVAVBA/bulletins/30be569
Those that seek to capstone their educational journey with a doctorate degree should be allocated additional funding to complete the degree. I had 24 months left in my GI Bill and had to compress my doctorate journey into two years when the plan is 3 1/2 yrs. However, I would not have the funds to continue if I accepted that timeline. Many, do not use their GI Bill and tenure out of the 10-year timeline to use the benefit. This gives more Veterans the ability to obtain C-level positions [CEO, CFO, COO, etc] to create plans in the firm to reach back and have a quicker lane for Veteran employment. One helps the other.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your comment. We appreciate the feedback and will continue to listen to concerns and respond to make Veterans experiences better.
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
I'm happy that GI Bill systems are being modernized with a greater extent of automation! The rollout of some of these changes, for example the automated monthly enrollment verification, seemed to overwhelm VA technical infrastructure, and I had trouble finding any updates/advice when I was unable to complete verification due to technical difficulties with the website. Is this an issue the VA is aware of, and are there plans to address this for future changes?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your feedback. We post a banner to our web site: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/, when maintenance and updates occur. We will take back your experience to see how we might improve the experience going forward. We want to make the enrollment verification process as easy as possible for you and have a few different options available. For the quickest and easiest way to verify enrollment, we strongly recommend using text message verification. When speaking with students, we heard over and over that text messaging was a preferred method of communicating – so we made that possible. You simply need to opt-into text verification, respond to our verification text at the end of each month, and you’ll get your housing payment as usual.
If you choose to opt out of text verification or don’t have a US-based mobile phone number, you will automatically be enrolled into email verification, as long as VA’s Education Service has a valid email address on file for you. Addtionally, check out VBA EDU leadership discussing this topic at the 2022 GI Bill Summit: https://youtu.be/0E5tw0zd4DY?t=287.
In addition to these options, we’re currently conducting usability testing sessions to explore online verification as a future option. For more details, we encourage you to visit our enrollment verification website: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/isaksonroe/verification_of_enrollment.asp for more details. FAQs can be found here: https://benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/docs/IsaksonRoe/EnrollmentVerificationFAQs.pdf
If you choose to opt out of text verification or don’t have a US-based mobile phone number, you will automatically be enrolled into email verification, as long as VA’s Education Service has a valid email address on file for you. Addtionally, check out VBA EDU leadership discussing this topic at the 2022 GI Bill Summit: https://youtu.be/0E5tw0zd4DY?t=287.
In addition to these options, we’re currently conducting usability testing sessions to explore online verification as a future option. For more details, we encourage you to visit our enrollment verification website: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/isaksonroe/verification_of_enrollment.asp for more details. FAQs can be found here: https://benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/docs/IsaksonRoe/EnrollmentVerificationFAQs.pdf
Online students should get 100% of the housing allowance. I do not understand how Congress voted this into law, and knowing this, I don't know what to do to fight this.
-my major is not available in my local area of colleges and that's why I had to go online
-people who go online still need to afford housing just like everyone else, so I don't know what justifies taking away 50% of the housing allowance???
-most gibill students do not live on campus anyways and have housing to pay for so, again, I don't understand what it is that justifies online students to get half of housing allowance.
-We earned our benefits just like everyone else and should not be discriminated against just because of this.
-students that went to brick and mortar but had their programs shift online during covid still got to receive 100% of benefits while going online, while regular online program students STILL only were granted 50%
I want answers and I want to know what I can do to fight this injustice.
-my major is not available in my local area of colleges and that's why I had to go online
-people who go online still need to afford housing just like everyone else, so I don't know what justifies taking away 50% of the housing allowance???
-most gibill students do not live on campus anyways and have housing to pay for so, again, I don't understand what it is that justifies online students to get half of housing allowance.
-We earned our benefits just like everyone else and should not be discriminated against just because of this.
-students that went to brick and mortar but had their programs shift online during covid still got to receive 100% of benefits while going online, while regular online program students STILL only were granted 50%
I want answers and I want to know what I can do to fight this injustice.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for the feedback. By law, Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) for students enrolled in remote or 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. Check out VBA EDU leadership discussing this topic at the 2022 GI Bill Summit: https://youtu.be/0E5tw0zd4DY?t=1149
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