What websites did you go to to find out more about your GI Bill?

SPC Joshua Heath — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 10:58:40 -0400

If you choose other, what site did you go to?

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 14 at 2015 11:00 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:00:37 -0400

The VA website. They have very good info.

Response by Elizabeth Malkin made Aug 14 at 2015 11:03 AM

Elizabeth Malkin — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:03:34 -0400

SPC Joshua Heath, the RallyPoint careers and education team wrote up a pretty detailed blog post about the GI Bill and benefits if that is helpful for you or for others that you know. Feel free to share it!

http://blog.rallypoint.com/2015/07/things-you-should-know-about-gi-bill.html

There is another about educational benefits too!

http://blog.rallypoint.com/2015/07/yellow-ribbon-programs-what-you-should-know-about-your-education-benefits.html

RallyPoint.com: Important Things You Should Know About the GI Bill

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Aug 14 at 2015 11:05 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:05:34 -0400

I got a lot of info from my school since they know the in's and out's as it relates specifically to your situation. MSG Kevin Henry might have a good answer.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 14 at 2015 11:06 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:06:57 -0400

But, military.com has the best organized articles on pay and benefits.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 14 at 2015 11:13 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:13:00 -0400

There were no web sites when I got out in 1972.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 11:17 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:17:14 -0400

I found that checking multiple sources helped, but ultimately the VA site had the primary source. It took phone calls to get clarification on some things though. The application and using benefits is not too difficult, it's just getting in touch with a proactive school rep to link them up with your program that's tricky. I've talked to frustrated vets that ended up dealing with those "military friendly" schools that usually just end up being a diploma mill...

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 11:22 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:22:05 -0400

In researching this I have always verified more than one source for the information. It is also important to note that as requirements, us, and benefits have changed not every website has updated this information.

Response by SPC Juan Alvaradoplatero made Aug 14 at 2015 11:32 AM

SPC Juan Alvaradoplatero — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:32:40 -0400

Remember you only have 10 years to use it. I lost mine because of a misunderstanding

Response by SGT Tom Kelly made Aug 14 at 2015 11:52 AM

SGT Tom Kelly — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:52:25 -0400

I actually went to the University I was planning to attend and spoke to the VA counselor at the University. The Counselor happened to be a retired LTC. He set me up and briefed me on what the requirements were.

Response by PO2 Jeffrey Sheibels made Aug 14 at 2015 12:00 PM

PO2 Jeffrey Sheibels — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 12:00:31 -0400

If you want to go to a specific school. You can contact that schools admission office to see if they have any information on the GI Bill and you can also ask them questions about the process for enrollment and using it at their school.

Response by SPC Americo Garcia made Aug 14 at 2015 2:57 PM

SPC Americo Garcia — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 14:57:20 -0400

That or speak to the VA rep at the county.

Response by CPT Maria Burns made Aug 14 at 2015 10:49 PM

CPT Maria Burns — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 22:49:27 -0400

I second SFC Coy. Having a pro-active school rep makes a lot of difference. Mine was amazing, especially considering she was British, not American.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2015 10:51 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 10:51:38 -0400

Skipped that and went to the education office.

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made Aug 15 at 2015 12:15 PM

TSgt Gwen Walcott — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 12:15:04 -0400

Al Gore hadn't been born when I got my GI Bill info === got it directly from the VA administrator at Offutt and with the liaisons at the University of Nebraska and 1st Interstate Bank.
Internet wasn't invented yet at that point -- heck, I'm not sure that Compuserve was invented yet. Schools charge $450 per SECOND to use the IBM 360 (obviously, interactive interactions didn't exist).
Digital was just getting around to inventing the VAX 11/780 and Unix and EBCDIC were the operating systems of choice. Bill Gates was still in diapers (ok, he was just leaving Haavad, but close enough for government work ...)

Response by CW4 Abdulaziz Bulling made Aug 17 at 2015 7:52 PM

CW4 Abdulaziz Bulling — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 19:52:22 -0400

I first chose the school and program, then checked with the counselor and VA.

Response by SFC Steven Wheeler made Aug 19 at 2015 7:30 AM

SFC Steven Wheeler — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 07:30:45 -0400

I used the eBenefits site to apply for post 9/11 GI bill, but was declined! I had joined the Army during the VEAP days and then went AGR in Florida from 89 to 2004. I did not get post 9/11 GI bill because I was called to AGR service by the Governor of Florida (with State AGR and not NGB) and not by the president. VA had sent me snippets showing me why I was disapproved for the educational benefits. Did not get any State NG educational benefits because we were AGR, just cannot win either way.

I am glad that I had gotten my bachelors degree while I was on active duty though (using TA). I was working on getting some SQL server training towards a certification, but this squashed that hope.

Response by PO3 Timothy "Tim" Dzurnak made Aug 20 at 2015 5:23 AM

PO3 Timothy "Tim" Dzurnak — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 05:23:36 -0400

i went to the state education dept over 20 years ago, and the way they told me i had to use my GI Bill,made no sense what's so ever.told me the only thing i could use it for was to pay for book's.. needless to say..more money for the Govt in a surplus that got wasted..my advice.. don't do it,document all your courses,make sure they are,and do you collage while your on active duty..

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Aug 20 at 2015 1:58 PM

SSG Richard Reilly — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 13:58:41 -0400

http://www.google.com

Google

It's the first day of autumn #GoogleDoodle

Response by SP6 Ron W. made Aug 20 at 2015 6:51 PM

SP6 Ron W. — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 18:51:52 -0400

This might seem trite and/or non-responsive, but when I was discharged in '71 there was no internet. I think Al Gore was even too young to invent it then. I now use myhealthevet for almost everything.

Response by Sgt Jennifer Mohler made Sep 30 at 2016 12:42 PM

Sgt Jennifer Mohler — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 12:42:46 -0400

The Transition seminar that is required for all Marines was actually super helpful back in 2014.