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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
When you use your GI Bill to get your first degree. Why can’t I use chapter 31 to get an IT certification to help further my education? I was told I couldn’t do it.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. In order to use Chapter 31, you must first qualify by having a service-connected disability of at least 10% and meet certain other eligibility requirements. More information can be found here: https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/eligibility/. As a Veteran you are entitled to up to 48 months of combined VA education and training benefits. The number of months that you have trained already, may impact you using chapter 31 benefits even if you are eligible. This document provides information about using your GI Bill and chapter 31 benefits: https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/docs/48_Month_Rule_FAQs.pdf. While we are unable to provide information regarding your specific situation on this forum, you may be eligible to apply for Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses program (VET TEC). Through the VET TEC program, eligible Veterans and Service members can train for a career in the high technology industry. Learn more here https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/vettec-high-tech-program . You can also check out VBA EDU leadership discussing this topic at the 2022 GI Bill Summit here: https://youtu.be/0E5tw0zd4DY?t=863. Otherwise, we recommend reaching out Education Call Center at [login to see] for further assistance.
Why is the BAH rate lowered for students that attends an out of state university or college as an online student?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
For online students, VA is authorized to pay half the national average of MHA. We appreciate your feedback and continue to work with Congress and our GI Bill partners to improve the GI Bill experience for Veterans and their families. The GI Bill Comparison Tool can help you with estimating your MHA: 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
In the state of Maryland, particularly in Howard County, can I use a VA home loan to procure a home in a 55+ community? I have used this benefit when I was younger and now that I'm pushing 70+, I would like to know if this benefit is still available for me.
Also, what other VA Benefits can I take advantage of while I'm still living and after my passing?
Also, what other VA Benefits can I take advantage of while I'm still living and after my passing?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. You can find more about VA home loans on our website: https://benefits.va.gov/homeloans/ For state specific benefits questions, we recommend visiting your state's website: https://veterans.maryland.gov/
There are various other programs and benefits you may be eligible for, including benefits after your passing. Please visit our website to explore the additional benefits that may be eligible for: https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp
There are various other programs and benefits you may be eligible for, including benefits after your passing. Please visit our website to explore the additional benefits that may be eligible for: https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp
I have two semesters left, graduating with a degree to teach elementary school, general education and special education. My benefit ends after one and I will be responsible for tuition and lose BAH. I will be teaching math, science, and technology. What my students learn is the foundation for the rest of their lives. Why am I not eligible for the STEM scholarship to extend the GI Bill but a degree in dog grooming qualifies as STEM related? Educators do not get enough respect and this is proof.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your feedback. Currently the Rogers STEM Scholarship applies only to this list of eligible STEM programs: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/docs/fgib/STEM_Program_List.pdf . Under 38 CFR 3320(b)(4)(A)(i), a STEM field is defined as a field of study included in the Department of Education’s Classification of Instructional Programs. General Education and Special Education is currently not covered by the Rogers STEM Scholarship at this time. If your degree is in Educational/Instructional Technology, Educational Statistics and Research Methods, Educational Evaluation and Research, or any other fields of study listed on the eligible STEM programs, we would encourage you to apply as you may be eligible for the Rogers STEM Scholarship.
Why is there no guidelines to define the Rate of Pursuit at the graduate level?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. There is no rate of pursuit guideline due to the fact that graduate-level programs vary in the number of credits needed to be considered full-time training. Instead, individual schools predetermine what is considered full time and then notify VA accordingly.
Will there be any update to allow veterans that have funds still available but are over the time period to use their GI Bill?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. VA is committed to listening to your feedback and improving the Veteran experience. The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act was drafted and passed by Congress to eliminate the 15-year time limit for using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for Veterans who left active duty on or after January 1, 2013, as well as qualifying dependents. To learn more about if you qualify for an extension, please visit our webpage at: https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-a-gi-bill-extension/ Additionally, check out VBA EDU leadership discussing this topic at the 2022 GI Bill Summit: https://youtu.be/0E5tw0zd4DY?t=640
I am the veteran who earned the post-911 benefits. I have about 3 months of benefits left. Each graduate class I take is about two months long. What happens when I have 1 month of benefits left and the last class I can take is two months long. Is everything prorated? MAH, tuition, and books?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. If you start a new semester with at least one day of GI Bill benefits, and then exhaust your benefits mid-semester, as long as your benefits are not expired and you have not hit the maximum 48 months of benefits yet, VA will continue your education benefits and housing allowance payments through the end of that semester.
What can I do if my school permits
Veterans to enroll into programs not recognized on WEAMS?
Veterans to enroll into programs not recognized on WEAMS?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
In order for you to receive GI Bill benefits, your program must be approved for GI Bill benefits. Approved programs are identified in WEAMS. While VA will not prevent you from enrolling, please note that you will not receive GI Bill benefits.
My benefits expire 7 months before I graduate with. Digital Cinematography degree. Digital Cinematography is a technology degree however I have heard that the Edith Rogers scholarship is not granted to Digital Cinematography students. Why is that? And, what are other options? I am too old to think about a student loan.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your question. Currently the Rogers STEM Scholarship applies only to this list of eligible STEM programs: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/docs/fgib/STEM_Program_List.pdf . Under 38 USC 3320(b)(4)(A)(i), a STEM field is defined as a field of study included in the Department of Education’s Classification of Instructional Programs.
You may be eligible to qualify for a GI Bill extension if you have an illness or disability that prevented you from attending school, you served a later period of active duty of 90 consecutive days or more (meaning that after you applied for GI Bill benefits, you served 90 days or more without a break in service), or you were held by a foreign government or power after your last discharge or release from active duty. If any of these apply to you, please visit our website to request an extension of GI Bill benefits: https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-a-gi-bill-extension/#:~:text=You%20may%20qualify%20for%20a,a%20break%20in%20service)%2C%20or
You may be eligible to qualify for a GI Bill extension if you have an illness or disability that prevented you from attending school, you served a later period of active duty of 90 consecutive days or more (meaning that after you applied for GI Bill benefits, you served 90 days or more without a break in service), or you were held by a foreign government or power after your last discharge or release from active duty. If any of these apply to you, please visit our website to request an extension of GI Bill benefits: https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-a-gi-bill-extension/#:~:text=You%20may%20qualify%20for%20a,a%20break%20in%20service)%2C%20or
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