How long do most of you wait before you start using the GI Bill?

SN Alex Tufail — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 22:05:34 -0400

I Enrolled in school the same month as my discharge. I didn't hesitate for single second, but now I've been out of school for 2 years and still have 6 months worth of benefits. It's because I am struggling to figure out what I want to do with my Benefits. I feel like if I had waited at least 6 months after getting out to figure out my life, and what I truly wanted to do I would have my degree by now. Just wanted some opinion on your experiences.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 24 at 2015 10:10 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 22:10:17 -0400

I used it almost immediatey

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2015 10:18 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 22:18:00 -0400

I was discharged in June 1972 and started in September. I started as a chemistry major, switched to psychology, and ended up with a business degree. Best of luck on deciding what your major will be. utilize the rest of your G.I. Bill.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 25 at 2015 2:14 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 02:14:55 -0400

In my dark ages, there was a 10 year shelf life to the benefits so when tossed from AD, I burned through mine 2-3 years after. That was the old GI Bill so I don't know what the time limits are now.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Sep 25 at 2015 7:51 AM

LTC John Shaw — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 07:51:14 -0400

First question is what is your goal? Make this fit your goal. If you still have more school you can look at the guard or reserve which may cover most tuition

Response by GySgt William Hardy made Sep 29 at 2015 1:07 PM

GySgt William Hardy — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:07:32 -0400

I was under the old GI Bill, but I got out at the end of October and started college with the January semester. Because I was able to collect unemployment and had saved a few dollars, it gave the time I needed to find a home for my family, get ourselves orientated to the new life, and got the kids in school. From that point on, I stayed in college full-time year round until I had my degree. I had finished in 3 years, but then I decided to go into teaching and spent the 4th year getting all my required credits for a teaching licence. I had run out of benefits, but the VA went ahead and paid me for my last semester. That was over 30 years ago and I still think it was the best move I made after leaving active duty.

Response by SSG Michael Johnston made Sep 29 at 2015 1:39 PM

SSG Michael Johnston — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:39:08 -0400

I transitioned from active duty into a 2nd semester freshman. At the time I did not know what I wanted to major in, but I knew that I wanted to get my degree. Because I was considered a "transfer" student, I utilized that first semester to get a feel for what courses I had an interest which led me to declaring Political Science as my major. I am now exhausting my GI Bill benefits to pay for my Masters in Public Administration, and will have a BA and MPA while incurring zero student loans. Everyone's situation is different, and my personal goals were to effectively utilize my education benefits. God knows we've earned them, so use them.

I wonder if maybe "re-framing" your situation might enable you? Perhaps ask "What is it that I want to do?" and the follow-up will be "How can I use my GI Bill to make this happen?"

Just a thought, I'm available off-line if you need to chat.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 2:00 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:00:17 -0400

Used it while I was in. I have 16 days left after I finished my degree.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Sep 29 at 2015 2:27 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:27:37 -0400

About 2 weeks.

Response by MAJ Daniel Buchholz made Sep 29 at 2015 3:12 PM

MAJ Daniel Buchholz — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 15:12:57 -0400

I signed my Post-911 over to my children (I already have a BS and a MS), so it will work out to be almost 20 years.

Response by Capt Axel Anaruk made Sep 29 at 2015 3:38 PM

Capt Axel Anaruk — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 15:38:54 -0400

I started using my GI bill while on active duty to obtain a commercial pilots license, then after 12 years of service used it to complete my bachelors degree to get a commission

Response by SSG William Strong made Sep 29 at 2015 4:45 PM

SSG William Strong — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:45:48 -0400

Regretfully I missed out on the GI Bill due to my own ignorance of taking advantage of it back in 1952. Met a gal and got married within 2 months after being discharged, too quick (eventually divorcing her) instead of being smarter. I Post this in hopes that others will give their decisions more thought and take advantage of the GI Bill within 10 years of discharge..

Response by LTC E. Steven Creech made Sep 29 at 2015 5:52 PM

LTC E. Steven Creech — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 17:52:03 -0400

I have used my GI bill a number of times. Got out of active service in 1992 used my Vietnam Era (50%) along with my MGIB (50%) to get my MBA. Called Back to active duty after 9/11 and retired in 2006. Waited until 2014 to start my Doctorate and was able to use the remaining portion of my MGIB. in July 2016 the time remaining on my MGIB eligibility will close. I will then finish my Doctorate with 12 months of Post 9/11 Bill. My advise to those just getting out of active service, wait until you find the course of instruction or degree you want then use the education benefits you earned. Don't wait too long or you will lose them.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 11:07 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 23:07:25 -0400

Alex, I look forward to your reply to my questions: What is your MOS and what is your MAJ. What is remaining on your degree? Does your degree support your military specialty or is it in a completely different field?
Most employers are fine with any degree, regardless of major to job position. (Of course lawyer or medical will not be the case.)
As for the 'how long' question you asked, I hate that question. I missed using my GI Bill. At the transition, we were informed that we had 10 years from the start of college to use our GI Bill 'benefit'. I applied only to discover my 'benefit' expired. I paid into this 'benefit' and I was beyond disappointed to discover it expired. I took out loans and received grants. I completed my degree online (AMU) full time in two years. Something I could not accomplish when I ETS'd. I had a family and was the only income. I am eligible for voc-rehab but disqualified because I make too much money.
Best advice I can give, start school as soon as possible, but seek a mentor to help you with direction. General Education requirements can be accomplished while working on what you want to do with your degree and selecting a major.
Best of luck!

Response by PFC Claude Cooper made Sep 30 at 2015 12:45 AM

PFC Claude Cooper — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 00:45:49 -0400

While i was in i transfer mind into Vocation Rehabilitation program which u wont be penalize for doing, u just wouldn't get BAH which is given after getting out, but i attend school while on active duty using VocRehab and it beats TA which u need authorization from your commander.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 1:20 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 01:20:50 -0400

I waited 6 years!

Response by PO1 Kevin Arnold made Sep 30 at 2015 7:58 AM

PO1 Kevin Arnold — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 07:58:41 -0400

Do it before the 10 years is up. Most schools you go to have military going to them so they know what to do. If you can switch to the post 9/11 bill do it for it will give you more time to get your degree.

Response by MAJ Charles Ray made Sep 30 at 2015 9:14 AM

MAJ Charles Ray — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:14:10 -0400

I actually used my GI Bill benefits while I was still active duty (the old GI Bill). I went to school for the final year to get residency credit and my B.S., and my active duty pay and GI Bill made it possible. I don't know if the current GI Bill allows active duty use, or even if there are programs that allow active duty members to enroll full time any more.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Sep 30 at 2015 11:18 AM

SPC Brian Stephens — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:18:39 -0400

I waited about six months before formulating a plan, picking a school, selecting a major and then moving down there.

Response by SGT Stanley Bass made Sep 30 at 2015 11:40 AM

SGT Stanley Bass — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:40:34 -0400

Thought i had responded on this before, but don't see my comment. I Was out for almost two years before I started using mine. I gave myself time to try to find a job. But I also knew i did not want to let me GI bill go to waist. I got lucky when i could not find a job, and found a major that was similar to what I did at my last assignment in the Army. You have six months left on it. You can change your major and go part time and extend it for 12 months that's another year of benefits. Also not sure if you qualify like I did. I served before and after 9/11. So i used my Montgomery GI bill, but then found out i served long enough after 9/11 to qualify for post 9/11 GI bill. That is something you could look into also. It would be a matter of thinking what you want to do and which major can help get me there

Response by Sgt Randy Linder made Sep 30 at 2015 12:37 PM

Sgt Randy Linder — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:37:16 -0400

I did the same....started using it almost immediately. However, I stopped and started school several times. I didn't finally go back to school and get my degree until 4 years after I got out. I was told you only have a set amount of time to use it (I think 10 years) but I never followed up to find out if that were true.

Response by Sgt Randy Linder made Sep 30 at 2015 12:38 PM

Sgt Randy Linder — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:38:00 -0400

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Sep 30 at 2015 1:41 PM

SSgt Michael Cox — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:41:57 -0400

First thing you need to know is for CH 30 (Montgomery) has a life of up to 10 years after leaving service. CH 33 (Post 9/11) has a life of up to 15 years after leaving service. Also if you can afford to pay your bills with out the GI Bill Ch 30 gives you a stipend and once your 36 months of Ch 30 are depleted you can sign up for Ch 33 for one year. Another nice thing is you can use Federal Financial Aid (FASFA) at the same time. On the flip side you can only use GI Bill or Tuition Assistance but not both.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Sep 30 at 2015 2:50 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:50:32 -0400

I used my GI benefits right away, but I only used 2 years of it. There are so many ways to use those benefits, whether towards a degree or for vocational training, that I hope you will be able to use everything you have earned.

Response by SrA Nick Skinner made Sep 30 at 2015 6:45 PM

SrA Nick Skinner — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 18:45:23 -0400

I signed up for classes before I separated. I took general ed classes for the first year until I really nailed down what I wanted to do. But as most say, figure out for sure if going to school is really what you want to do. Once you decide on education, find the school that will fit your needs. Then start taking the classes.

Response by SPC Johnny Velazquez, PhD made Sep 30 at 2015 6:59 PM

SPC Johnny Velazquez, PhD — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 18:59:13 -0400

I used mine 7 years after my discharge, and used it toward my education. Glad I waited all those years. I also had to figure out what to do with my life. I was blessed with a few mentors, who in turn were able to provide guidance, and the right perspective with respect to life after the military. Blessings.

Response by SSG Timothy McCoy made Oct 2 at 2015 12:05 AM

SSG Timothy McCoy — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 00:05:00 -0400

I didn't wait.
I retired in Feb 06 and I signed up for classes in Dec 05 when I was on Term Leave. When classes began I was still on and sweating a recall.
The day I retired I took a bottle of Champagne to my repealing class. Then I found out not only were the classmates under drinking age, they didn't even know what Champagne was.
I used my G.I Bill home load while I was on Active duty stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C. in Aug 1991