Are there any other RP Members who were denied the GI BILL due to VEAP?

Sgt Kelli Mays — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 17:15:37 -0500

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/veap.asp
When I entered the service I had no idea I would NOT be eligible for the GI Bill. My father got the GI bill and suggested I join to be able to use it for college too.
Unfortunately, I found out after joining that those who joined any branch of the Military from 1977 to 1985 were NOT eligible for the GI Bill....the government took it away! Instead, the only way we could possible get help for college was through VEAP. This is where we had to contribute our own money and the government doubled it...but you could only contribute up to $2000 per year.
I'm wondering if any one else on RP fell under this group....and I'm wondering if there is something that can be done.
While I was active duty, I went to night school and school on Saturdays and managed to get two Associates degrees. After getting out I used the money I contributed to VEAP and got a BFA....but still I feel like I was jilted out of something i should have been eligible for.
I went through a gazillion phone calls, but got no where. It seems it is what it is....BUT I feel it is totally unfair.
All Military after 1985 were given the GI bill.... How is this right and or fair?

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) - Education and Training

The GI Bill provides education benefits to veterans and their dependents.

Response by SSgt Tim Brock made Nov 3 at 2015 5:23 PM

SSgt Tim Brock — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 17:23:00 -0500

Yes, I served from 1979 to 1985. It appears to be a dead zone for a lot of benefits.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Nov 3 at 2015 5:37 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 17:37:39 -0500

"Given" is a misnomer. Contributed to, and reaped the benefits of is a more accurate statement.

I fall under two categories of the GI Bill. First was the Chap 30, where I contributed $1200 ($100/month for first 12 months) and in turn the government "matched" at a sizable amount. But it had an expiration 10 years after my EAS. The second was the Chap 33, where because of the timing of my EAS I qualify for 60% tuition coverage (15 years from EAS).

Each of the "GI Bills" or "VEAPS" over the years have had advantages or disadvantages depending on how you look at them. My father initially joined in 1956, but had broken time, and his initial benefits expired while he was still serving. I pay out of pocket for my advanced degree, regardless of which GI Bill I use just because of the timing I served.

It's not about "right and fair." It's a product of how the laws were set up when they were enacted.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Nov 3 at 2015 5:45 PM

SGT Patrick Reno — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 17:45:27 -0500

Same here, did not know that I was not going to be eligible until after I got out and was looking into going back to school.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Nov 3 at 2015 6:03 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 18:03:07 -0500

Sounds like you got caught between the transition from VEAP to the MGIB (Montgomery GI Bill). As I understand the intricacies of VEAP, it mandated the 1.) the service member contributed, and 2.) it was a "use it or lose it" proposition --where funds could ONLY be dispersed for education. My wife enlisted in '84 & was, subsequently, solely eligible for VEAP. Upon acceptance of an NROTC scholarship, her VEAP money was locked. She had 8-semesters of tuition covered. However, she took 8 1/2 semesters to graduate. Oddly, her VEAP money could not be applied against school loans. But, it could be recovered as a dispersal so as long as she was a full-time student. So, she took her VEAP money to buy groceries --and paid off the student loans independently.

Those who accepted VEAP benefits are not eligible for the MGIB. Unfortunately, you will not have much luck changing a 30-yr old, expired policy. It was the best thing going... at the time.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Nov 3 at 2015 6:22 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 18:22:00 -0500

I hate to say it but Uncle Sam only owes you what you contracted for and sometimes he won't even do that. I enlisted in 1982 and fell under the VEAP program, which to be honest was horrible, considering what it replaced. If I recall they also allowed folks who were still on active duty to convert over to the Montgomery GI Bill when it came out. The MGIB was only marginally better than VEAP, so I didn't pay into it. I did use all the Tuition Assistance I could get while on active duty and completed two AA's and a BS. Fortunately, they came out with the Post 911 GI Bill which was an "awesome" improvement. After retiring I used it and my civilian employers educational assistant money to pay for Masters Degree.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Nov 3 at 2015 8:53 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 20:53:29 -0500

Kelli, when I retired in 2000, I was able to convert my VEAP to MGIB, and I got several years of MGIB benefits. I'm not sure what happened in your case - did you use up all your VEAP eligibility?

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Nov 4 at 2015 6:53 AM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 06:53:06 -0500

In 2008, the GI Bill was updated once again. The new law gives Veterans with active duty service on, or after, Sept. 11 2001, enhanced educational benefits that cover more educational expenses, provide a living allowance, money for books and the ability to transfer unused educational benefits to spouses or children.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Nov 4 at 2015 7:03 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 07:03:13 -0500

Sgt Kelli Mays I served from 1981 -1985 and fall into the same bucket as you as far as GI Bill benefits go. They were essentially non existent. I knew that going in and you should have too. There were forms we all filled out regarding the GI Bill then. If you did not know about the GI Bill and what you had access too you simply were not paying attention. You had to contribute each month to have eligibility and there was a match from the government. I seem to recall about the max you could get was $8,000 (I could be wrong on the number, it has been 35 years). That is called life. You were provided what you signed up for.

What can be done, nothing. You were given what you contracted to get, you were not "jilted". Time to suck it up and move on. On the upside, my son enlisted in the Marine Corps about 5 years ago and has access to the current GI Bill and is saving me a bundle on college tuition.

Response by CMDCM Richard Moon made Nov 4 at 2015 11:18 AM

CMDCM Richard Moon — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 11:18:54 -0500

I did no elect to contribute to VEAP because I saw it as the bad deal it was. Fast forward to post 9/11 and lo and behold I was eligible for the latest iteration of the GI Bill. Was it unfair that Congress drafted legislation like this? Yep. Unlike the hordes who live off public assistance to mostly waste it at local community colleges, veterans earn it. Write to or visit your local congress critter, but i think the well may be dry at this point.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2015 12:16 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 12:16:12 -0500

I came in at the VEAP/MGIB transition. There wasn't a lot of information nor anyone that could explain it in a way that made it palatable. That being said, several states offer their own programs. Texas vets (those with a home of record in TX when entering the service) who served honorably are eligible for the Hazlewood Act.

http://www.tvc.texas.gov/Hazlewood-Act.aspx

TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION - Hazlewood Act

TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 5 at 2015 11:52 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:52:13 -0500

I went in the Navy in 1992, so I got the MGIB but converted it to the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Response by COL Paul Ciminelli made Nov 10 at 2015 5:27 AM

COL Paul Ciminelli — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 05:27:11 -0500

Similar experience. Used VEAP in the 80's for school. Went to try and use the Montgomery GI Bill for my daughter recently. Had the benefit reduced by the number of months I received VEAP. Very costly to say the least.

Response by SSgt Kevin Hopkins made Nov 10 at 2015 6:14 AM

SSgt Kevin Hopkins — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 06:14:23 -0500

i had VEAP and was denied the GI bill as a result. VEAP is pretty much worthless since the nost you can save is 8100 bucks. hardly payment for 1 semester. the DI bill was re instated but people under YEAP are ineligable

Response by PO1 Charles w Rider II made Nov 10 at 2015 6:57 AM

PO1 Charles w Rider II — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 06:57:56 -0500

I'm also one of those vets who got caught in the VEAP gap. When this program was presented, I could see that it would never be what it was presented to be. With the contribution limits, it would have taken forever to reasonably save enough for college, unless you never got married or spent all your time at sea and contributed every penny you made. I had hopes that we would all be "Grandfathered" into the Montgomery GI Bill, but that didn't happen either, and with no action or response from congress on correcting this situation, I don't expect much will ever change. We fell through the rabbit hole, just another of the many groups that have had the same experience in one form or another.

Response by CPO William E. Mahoney made Nov 10 at 2015 7:13 AM

CPO William E. Mahoney — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:13:28 -0500

Hello Sgt Mays, I joined in 1977 and fell under VEAP, I contributed for about 5 to 7 yrs and then stopped, when the new GI Bill was introduced in tried to switch but because I my contributions were gapped I needed to bring them up to date before I could switch and I just couldn't afford the large one time payment so I basically had to pay my own way through college.

Response by SSgt Samuel Johnson made Nov 10 at 2015 7:27 AM

SSgt Samuel Johnson — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:27:12 -0500

I agree. This was a total flop that went under the heading of "Benefits". The VEAP program was a sham! Why would I want to put money into a program that had a CAP of $2,000.00? As an E-1, my funds were limited and was used up usually on food. My unit in Germany was only allowed to go to the chow hall 1 time a day, the rest of my meals were out of pocket! I had no money to put into VEAP!

Response by PO3 Richard Alexander made Nov 10 at 2015 8:05 AM

PO3 Richard Alexander — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 08:05:52 -0500

I signed up in '83, went active duty in '84, fell under VEAP. I made the maximum contribution to VEAP, entitling me to the full $8200, spread out over about three years. No, I didn't spend it all in one place.

You are correct; you only get the veteran benefit under which you signed. About three years ago, someone decided to re-visit the VEAP veterans, and the VA offered VRAP for a limited time, to a limited number of eligible veterans. Any veteran between ages 35 and 60 who had not completed his first Bachelor degree was eligible for a one-year benefit toward a degree in a high-demand occupation. I was already working on another associate degree, so I used my VRAP to earn yet another associate degree. Now, I have three associate degrees and two certificates and I'm most of the way toward earning another certificate (I don't plan to finish that one). One of these days, I'd like to earn a Bachelor degree, though.

Response by LCpl Lyndon Peterson made Nov 10 at 2015 8:09 AM

LCpl Lyndon Peterson — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 08:09:27 -0500

I to was denied education benefits due to VEAP. I enrolled into night nursing School at a local community college because I worked full-time during the day. Because I was not a full-time student, I could not us my VEAP matching benefits. The expiration date for using the VEAP or loose it was fast approaching, so I was forced to cash in the amount that I contributed and can never get any G I Bill benefits. I still need more schooling but the VA can't help cecause of a time period. Talk about leaving troops behind !

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2015 8:17 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 08:17:28 -0500

Yes the same thing happened to me, although I was on active duty when the MGIB was instituted I had already used all my eligibility under VEAP so I was not able to transition to MGIB. Can't complain I paid my student loans off while I was on active duty so there were no interest charges.

Response by PO2 Jerry Echelberger made Nov 10 at 2015 9:03 AM

PO2 Jerry Echelberger — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 09:03:49 -0500

I agree ... I was in the same boat ... Joined in 1985 and left in 1989.

Response by CPO Paul Duncan made Nov 10 at 2015 9:17 AM

CPO Paul Duncan — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 09:17:34 -0500

We fell into a period where the educational benefits were not as great as others before us. VEAP was a 2-for-1 program -- you contributed and the Navy matched you with $2 for the $1 you put in. The total was $8,100 that could be spread across 3 years while you were in school. I did the same thing -- maxed out the VEAP program -- and used the $225/month to offset expenses towards my BSEE. So, you put in $2700 and you got back $8100. Not as great as the full GI bill, but as you probably remember, every little bit helped. There is nothing that can be done, since nothing was "wrong" -- this was the offered program at that time.

Response by Col Russ Smith made Nov 10 at 2015 9:36 AM

Col Russ Smith — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 09:36:13 -0500

Sergeant Mays, First thanks for your service. I also enlisted under VEAP. I had no benefits until I went to Iraq for operation lraqi Freedom. I earned my MA with tuition assistance. Having served for 5 years post-911 I received post-911 VA benefits and am now working on a doctorate. Had I not stayed in for 30 years I would have been ineligible for any benefits under VEAP. I agree with you it is not right but our group, who enlisted under VEAP, received the worst educational benefits this country ever offered to veterans. I am glad the government fixed the education system. Unfortunately if we stayed for our first term and only earned VEAP, we reap the benefits of Department of Defense cutbacks after Vietnam. I am sorry that you, like hundreds of thousands of others, got the short end of the stick. As far as I can tell there there is nothing that we can do about those benefits. I was married and could not afford the $100 a month minimum and so figured I had no educational benefits whatsoever. Unfortunately, I was still on active duty when 9/11 happened. Because I served until 2008 I became eligible post-911 educational benefits. I applaud you for earning your MFA.

Response by MAJ Bill Maynard made Nov 10 at 2015 11:02 AM

MAJ Bill Maynard — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 11:02:44 -0500

I enlisted in DEP in 1984 and my only option was VEAP. Before I actually started basic and still in high school, I was given the option of keeping VEAP or getting the then new Montgomery GI Bill. The dollar amounts were about the same but the contributions were different as well as what you could recover if not used for education. I believe VEAP was a total contribution of $2700 + $5400 (200% matching) and then the "Army College Fund" which was $15,000. The MGIB was a total of $1200 in contriubutions and then about $20,000 provided (unsure since I didn't use this). The VEAP had the option to get some money back and MGIB did not. Granted the contribution to VEAP was higher, but I ended up getting some money back even after going to school for four years. Must be the VA math... lol

Response by SMSgt Clyde Hunter made Nov 10 at 2015 11:28 AM

SMSgt Clyde Hunter — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 11:28:59 -0500

I served from 1978-2005. I had the option to contribute to VEAP but as a E4 with 2 kids and a stay home wife...I left the USAF after 27 years as an E8 with no educational benefits, A friend told me about the post 9/11 educational benefits last year. Unfortunately even though the act was signed in 2008 the 15 year window to use it starts from when you leave service, they expire for me in 2020 and I am starting classes in Spring semester...My problem??? What to study.

Response by SP5 David Cox made Nov 10 at 2015 11:59 AM

SP5 David Cox — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 11:59:26 -0500

I served 78-82, so I also fell under VEAP. It wasn't very good, but I still thought I'd be getting $2 for every $1 I put in. After I got out, I went to use it, and that was where I found the biggest drawback - you could only withdraw at the rate you put in! IIRC, there was an upper limit on the amount I could put in each month - $100? Anyway, you got it back at $300/month if you put in $100/month. There was no way to take it back as a lump sum for expenses such as tuition. At the time, I was making enough money to cover living expenses, but I had no savings, so I couldn't pay the tuition bill. I was so upset about that particular wrinkle that I just pulled all my money out, losing the government match, and walked away in disgust.

Response by Sgt John Ervin made Nov 10 at 2015 1:45 PM

Sgt John Ervin — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 13:45:35 -0500

Since you already have three degrees you are in eligible to participate in any further education plans that the military offers of any sort. I too was in when you were in, and contributed to the VEAP program which turned out to be a scam. It was only good at State Colleges and Universities and could not be used for trade programs. So I got my money out and forgot about it.

About 3 years ago I was contacted by a variety of agencies and asked if I wanted to go back to college. A 1 year grant was available from the VA called the VRAP program. I took advantage of it (1 year at $1525 per month), went back to college and got my 2 year degree in 1 year. It has turned out to be a worthless piece of paper.The civilian company "Cisco Systems" that the 2 year degree was with laid off 7500 people the month I officially graduated. The computer market is dead. I have been doing temp work for 2 years now, and hate it.

In the past two weeks I have gotten one IT interview and about 2 calls a day for pending interviews. The job market may be coming back. The funny thing is that every offer is exactly the same money. But yet they cannot seem to find candidates. As I write this, I was just on the phone with yet another recruiter.. for another position... same pay local area.

Perhaps things will turn around after all. As far as the education plan, if you did not participate in VRAP, their is nothing else available except Pell Grants and student Loans. I searched all across the country to find scholarships grants or anything, and all I ended up getting was a small grant for books back in 2013.

I considered re-enlisting, but at 50 they are not taking prior service.

Response by SCPO Jeff Strickland made Nov 10 at 2015 2:53 PM

SCPO Jeff Strickland — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:53:25 -0500

I served from 1983 to 2008, and was also initially a VEAP bubba... Although I do recall that during the transition from VEAP to the Montgomery GI Bill, that like everything else that transitions in the military, there are "Open Season" buy-in periods to convert over to the new program. And we were all given a number of months for a one time buy-in of $3600 into the MGI Bill to get the benefits everybody else got. Otherwise you were S.O.L. on education benefits. I obviously hung around a little longer and was eligible for the 9/11 GI Bill which is an outstanding program. Otherwise like most young airmen, sailors, soldiers, and marines back in the mid 80's where we didn't make near the money the kids of today are making, I never had $3600 available to invest in an education program. So if not for the 9/11 GI Bill, I would not have had any education benefits myself.

Response by TSgt Donnie Meaders made Nov 10 at 2015 4:24 PM

TSgt Donnie Meaders — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 16:24:03 -0500

Under the VEAP, you could contribute up to $2700 total and the gubment would return a total of $7100 to you with that max contribution, as you said giving you a 3 to one return on investment. I never signed up for that because I was young and stupid, spending most of my free time while on active duty serving as a reserve deputy sheriff at Little Rock and Keesler AFBs (working for free), never thinking about the future and how a degree would help me. I just thought about my future in law enforcement which is where I am now for the past 32 years, some of which was while I was on active duty. Plus I thought that VEAP was a crappy benefit considering the old GI bill and then even the newer versions of the GI bill for those who came in a few years after me. I enlisted July 1980 and took a few classes in the evening and ended up getting 2 associates degrees and have right at 140 semester hours of college credit from the college classes, CLEP tests, and my technical training in the AFSCs I was trained in. Then I messed up and became a recruiter and that was my career ender! Someone has to do it but I don't recommend recruiting service for anyone at all. Anyway, I never did earn a bachelor's degree because I didn't have enough hours in a particular focus subject but I sure wish I had applied myself better and done that. All I can say is that for those now in the service, take full advantage of the current educational benefits program, whatever that is, because if you don't you will regret it later in life. And speaking of CLEP tests, if they are still offered as a way to get college credit, by all means take advantage of that. For those of us in the Air Force at that time(not sure about any other branches), they were free to take as well as the DANTES testing to get semester hours of credit. The AF base libraries usually had paper study guides and even video study guides to prepare for the CLEP tests. I used those and maxed out and got 36 hours of credit in English Composition, Natural Science, Social Science which I believe was basically history, Humanities, Math, Management, and Public Speaking. And being horrible in school in math and science, if I could max out and 6 hours each in those subjects, anyone should be able to! And trust me, I am not a good student and had poor study habits but I did it and so can you. And if it is still free, it is well worth the time and effort if you ultimately want to get a bachelor's degree or graduate degree with the educational benefits available. Again, don't be young and dumb like I was, motivate yourself and it will pay off later.

As for your question, as far as I know, there is nothing we can do about getting any benefits. If we were eligible for VEAP, we were never eligible for anything else to my knowledge. When the GI bill came back into play in the 80's, we were told that we were not eligible and that VEAP was all we had. That sucked for sure!

To all my veteran brothers and sisters, thank you for your service. To those who are active now, thank you and remember the oath you swore, that is going to be tested in the future I believe. God bless all.

Response by MSgt Harry Thomas Sr. made Nov 10 at 2015 5:11 PM

MSgt Harry Thomas Sr. — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 17:11:41 -0500

I came in 03/06/80 and you're right, it isn't fare. Those who had VEAP should have been allowed to convert to the new GI Bill.

Response by MSG Daniel Hermany made Nov 10 at 2015 6:15 PM

MSG Daniel Hermany — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 18:15:06 -0500

Don't think it is right or fair, but unfortunately we signed the contract.

Response by PO2 Nick Burke made Nov 10 at 2015 7:30 PM

PO2 Nick Burke — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 19:30:21 -0500

Yes . That was me as well. I tried to change while still on active duty but was denied. When i got out and tried to use VEAP I was told the program was done. Then I had to file to get my $$$$ back (no interest). So much for the 10 years to use.

Response by MSgt Russell Brignac made Nov 10 at 2015 11:27 PM

MSgt Russell Brignac — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 23:27:31 -0500

I enlisted in the Air Force on Nov 13, 1980. I vaguely remember being told about the VEAP programwhile i was in Basic Training at Lackland AFB. It sounded good so I signed up for it. I never contributed to it. I used tuition assistance to get my aircraft maintenance specialist associates degree. I used tuition assistance to get my flight engineer associates degree. I retired in November of 2000. A friend of mine stayed in the Air Force and was given the opportunity to get the Post 9/11 GI Bill. He was eligible to use the Bill for college for himself, his wife, his daughter and he told told me his granddaughter would be able to have her college tuition covered. I am extremely pissed off that I got a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice in 2005 and I am still paying on my student loan with interest with no help from the government. I dont think my congressman or senator could do anything for me. They are the same type of legislators that allow the Spouse Protection Act to remain the same so that divorced servicemen and servicewomen pay half their retirement to their ex-spouse for the rest of their lives. Not for 20 years but until they die while paying child-support. Why are we being punished?

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Nov 11 at 2015 12:31 AM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 00:31:10 -0500

VEAP was the worst deal ever. Yeah, I knew that's what I had, but I thought then, and do now, that is sucks. Congress should correct it retroactively and give us all the same GI Bill benefits that every other group of veterans has gotten since the GI Bill was established.

Response by SSG Buddy Kemper made Nov 11 at 2015 12:36 AM

SSG Buddy Kemper — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 00:36:53 -0500

oh Lawsy

Response by CAPT John Slaughter made Nov 12 at 2015 9:49 AM

CAPT John Slaughter — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 09:49:22 -0500

Depends... When did you retire?

Response by MSgt Tim Fennema made Nov 12 at 2015 10:24 AM

MSgt Tim Fennema — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 10:24:32 -0500

Sgt Kelly Mays, I came in in 1980 and did the VEAP thing. Back in 96 we were allowed to transition over to GI Bill, which I did. They couldn't find any record that I had contributed all the money back in the day, but did have the account with a few dollars in it. So, I payed the money, but when I got out and tried to use it, the VA denied my claim saying they couldn't find any money. Had all my LESs showing the deductions in 96 and 97, but that didn't matter.

Got to love that VA. Always looking out for us.

Response by Sgt Vikki McMurray made Nov 12 at 2015 11:43 AM

Sgt Vikki McMurray — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 11:43:33 -0500

I knew that the GI Bill was noc going to continue after the end of 1976, but I didn't know what they'd do. When I got to TME33 in Camp Pendleton, they asked me if I wanted go sign up for the VEAP program, contribute $ 25.00 out of each of my paychecks and when I got out, I could qualify for the GI Bill because of that contribution. So I said yes...I signed the paperwork and went on with my life.

The problem? I never noticed that they weren't taking out the $ 25 and when it was time to muster out, S-1 asked me if I was part of the VEAP program, I said yes, they said we don't see anything about that, but if you'd like to extend 6 weeks, we'll look into it. Oh, and we'll need $ 1,025.00 to go any further with this.'

Needless to say, I didn't HAVE a thousand dollars to give them and I did NOT want to extend 6 weeks at that time. So I do NOT have the GI Bill either. I agree, it's unfair. But I also don't get any veteran's points for serving my country during peace time (1977-1981). I was ready to fight, ready to die, but that apparently doesn't mean anything.

Response by SFC William Adamek made Nov 12 at 2015 12:43 PM

SFC William Adamek — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 12:43:43 -0500

So how about a little bit of good info for some of those VEAP vets, some of those that have had the 10 year expiration date pass, and those that have used all of their Montgomery GI bill...

Chapter 31 of the GI bill is for those of us with disabilities. Generally it is for use by veterans with a 30% disability or greater but I have seen it's use approved for as low 10%. If you are a disabled veteran and were either VEAP or had your time period expire, and want to go to school, apply for Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31). Even if you used all of your GI bill, the Chapter 31 can add up to 12 months of additional education. Look into it for those that it can help.

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Nov 13 at 2015 2:19 AM

SSgt Christopher Brose — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 02:19:59 -0500

I originally enlisted in 1979, so I was only eligible for VEAP. It was a bad system from the start. It would effectively triple the money we put into it, but it would only triple it at the rate we paid into it. I was "fortunate", in that I paid $100 per month into it. My friend who was married only paid $25 per month. He was planning on going to school part time after he got out... but then he found out that all he could get out was $75 per month IF he went to school full time. At part time, he would get $37.50 per month. What the hell's the point of that? He was pissed, rightly so IMO, and he pulled his money out of VEAP.

I, on the other hand, was planning on going to school full time, and so I would get my money back at the rate of $300 per month. It was nice spending money for 27 months, but had I known then what I found out much later, I would have cashed it all in like my friend did.

After college, I joined the Marines. By this point, the first iteration of the Montgomery GI Bill was the educational benefit. IIRC, a serviceman paid in $100 each month for a year, and then would be eligible for close to $10,000 in total benefits. But having already been in VEAP, I wasn't eligible. Some time later, Congress made us eligible.

Normally, everyone who gets the new GI Bill has 48 months of eligibility. When I investigated, I found out that I would only have 21 months of eligibility, since I already used 27 months with VEAP. And I would have to buy in with about $2500 of my own money. In other words, I would have to pay about 2 1/2 times more than everyone else to receive less than 1/2 of the benefits.

Or to put it another way, I would be penalized now for getting screwed earlier.

As an interesting side note, the VA told me that they don't make the rules, Congress makes the rules. So I contacted my Congressional representation, my Representative and two Senators, all of whom were Democrats. The response I got from them: Those are the VA rules. It wasn't the first time my Democrats proved to be utterly useless.

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Nov 13 at 2015 3:04 AM

Cpl James Waycasie — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 03:04:54 -0500

My Dad told me about the G.I. Bill and I did ask my recruiter if college aid was available. he said yes but failed to tell me it was called the Montgomery bill and you had to contribute your own money. I found out when I wanted to take some night classes at Mira Costa college while stationed at Camp Pendlton. I was so disappointed when I was informed of the changes. My time was 1979 to 1983.

Response by SFC Michael Smith made Nov 13 at 2015 7:28 PM

SFC Michael Smith — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 19:28:48 -0500

I served from 1979 to 2000 and don't recall being offered any type of edu benefits.

Response by MAJ Scott Meehan made Nov 16 at 2015 8:56 PM

MAJ Scott Meehan — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 20:56:34 -0500

SGT Mays,
I have a similar issue that has blown into a major disaster. When I first heard about the post 9/11 GI Bill, I made several inquiries about eligibility for obtaining a Ph.D. Without going into excruciating detail, I was assured that 100% of my education would be covered with the post 9/11 GI Bill. Two years into my program, I was informed that the post 9/11 GI Bill money had been used up. Upon further investigation, I discovered that the VEAP money I used for my BA degree in the eighties counted as part of the post 9/11 GI Bill. I was never told this prior to entering the program, but now I was stuck. Since I was near completion with my dissertation, I opted for a student loan for one year. This was in 2013. Then, everything "caved in." My dissertation, after being approved by a three-member committee, was later rejected outright by a fourth scholar, forcing me to start my dissertation from the beginning. To make a long story short, I have been working on my dissertation since 2011 and have incurred over $56K worth of student loans. It has been one nightmare after another.
Scott A. Meehan
USA, MAJ (Ret.)

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Nov 20 at 2015 9:53 PM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 21:53:29 -0500

The government giveth and taketh away. My mom used to and still complains all the time about the way DOD will snatch benefits when you aren't looking. Dad is a 21 year retired Veteran and they see the losses every year. I joined in 1986, so I had the Montgomery GI bill, which was less than the WWII and Vietnam era benefits. Those leaving the service with Iraq and Afgan service fall under a different really nice program, but I'm hearing that it could be getting pared down.