Should I apply for a certificate of eligibility for the GI Bill ahead of time or wait to hear of my acceptance/denial from the school?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 19:07:08 -0400

Hello all, I recently finished my 4187, have my LES, ERB, original contract and am waiting on my acceptance letter to the college I applied for. Should I apply for a certificate or eligibility for the GI Bill ahead of time or wait to hear of my acceptance/denial from the school? The reason I think I should wait is because I am unsure of I apply for the COE then it might mess up my GI Bill by activating it when I haven't even heard back from the school. Any guidance would help, thanks.

Response by SGT Nicholas M. made Apr 19 at 2019 7:13 PM

SGT Nicholas M. — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 19:13:35 -0400

My advice would be to go directly to the source. Call up your local Education Center and schedule a meeting to talk about your options and what may or may not affect your GI Bill.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2019 7:19 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 19:19:02 -0400

You can ask for COE whenever you'ld like.
I would suggest requesting one early as it can take some time to arrive, depending on how busy they are.
The COE doesn't initiate your GI Bill benefit time, it just states that you are eligible. Upon starting your first class your school will coordinate with the VA to start your GI Bill "clock."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2019 9:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 21:13:46 -0400

You should have applied for that months ago. I have guys who left the Army to go to college and it took 8 months to establish their eligibility.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 20 at 2019 12:59 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 00:59:55 -0400

Purely out of curiosity, I have an interest in career/educ stuff, what major were you wanting to go for? Have you done any associates level stuff thus far at all? Also, did you send for your mil transcript from either DANTES and/or Amer Council on Educ (ACE)? Last, did you make use of DANTES for exam credit at all, or CLEP? Did you want a STEM field at all? Non-STEM? Were you looking to go back in, in some fashion, whether Army or another svc? I just like asking such things, so far as you might care to go into such stuff, of course, sometimes I'm able to suggest stuff in such circumstances, I tend to get engrossed in a good many threads on here about that kind of thing, if you'd care to chat at all, no rush, whenever you might care to, certainly...hope that was all of at least some use and/or interest....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 20 at 2019 1:01 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 01:01:52 -0400

Also, were you trying for a state school at all, just in case that might make your allotment go further? I'd read of many instances where state schools are linked to the Guard, whether ARNG, or ANG, in a given state, that was my sole reason for suggesting it, obviously, it'd depend, of course, if you'd want to stay in, certainly....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 20 at 2019 1:02 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 01:02:27 -0400

And did you want grad school in some fashion, ultimately, as well, at all? Again, just wondered....

Response by SPC Brent Melton made Apr 21 at 2019 9:39 PM

SPC Brent Melton — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 21:39:38 -0400

Get it right away. Your school will need it to verify how you're financing school. Beyond that, the school will have to fill out paperwork and submit it to the VA saying you're using your GI bill. That is when you start using your benefit.

Response by SPC Manuel Guerra made Jun 26 at 2019 8:43 PM

SPC Manuel Guerra — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 20:43:03 -0400

I have applied multiple times for my GI bill, both Montgomery GI bill for reservist and post 911 and I have the contract for both of them. I have been denied and tried to go up the chain of command and keep getting denied. They told me that since I was reservist and went inactive ready reserve for more than 12 months I am permanently disqualified for all GI bills. Who can I talk to or who should I talk to because I read my contract over again and there is nothing in their stating that?