Heard about the post-9/11 GI Bill?

Published Aug. 28, 2008
By Mrs. Lanette Hetrick
319th Air Refueling Wing Education and Training Center

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Arguably, one of the most generous education benefits package since the 1944 Servicemen's Readjustment Act was recently passed into law honoring post-9/11 service with full tuition for any public university - and more.

News reports and excited speculation have created many questions and concerns for Airmen. At this time, education offices are not authorized to allow transfer of benefits, change from Ch. 30 to Ch. 33, or any other action related to the new Bill.

Since the program will not be implemented until next year, perhaps as late as August 2009, the education center will not be able to address any questions until the Department of Defense and Air Staff establish policy and procedures, and provide guidance and training to education customer service personnel.

The Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill website, http://www.gibill.va.gov/, offers additional information on what the benefit includes and who may be eligible to participate. The site also offers the opportunity to sign-up to receive e-mail messages as new information becomes available.
The education center will release information regarding the program once details have been worked out by DoD and the Air Force. In the mean time, the following questions and answers have come from the VA website and a few other reliable sources (with attached web links) to help clarify this new benefit. https://rso.my.af.mil/afvecprod/afvec/Pages/ViewEdCenterNewsItem.aspx?ID=4155

When will the Post-9/11 GI Bill become Effective?
Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are payable for training pursued on or after August 1, 2009. No payments can be made under this program for training pursued before that date.

How can I apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
The Department of Veterans Affairs is currently "NOT" accepting applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Information will be posted on the website as it becomes available.

What exactly will I receive?
You or your school will receive a percentage, as determined by length of active duty service, of the following:
- Amount of tuition and fees charged, not to exceed the most expensive in-State public institution of higher education. If the tuition and fees at the school you wish to attend are higher than the most expensive in-State tuition, your school may choose to participate in the "Yellow Ribbon" program. http://www.gibill.va.gov/S22/Yellow_Ribbon.htm .
- Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing (BAH) amount payable to E-5 with dependents, in same zip code as school* Currently, Grand Forks would be $916.00 http://perdiem.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/bah.html
- Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000*
A onetime payment of $500 may be payable to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas.
*NOTE -Housing allowance and books and supplies stipend are not payable to individuals on active duty. Housing allowance is not payable for those pursuing training at half-time or less.
Individuals must serve an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of:

Member Serves Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable
At least 36 months 100
At least 30 continuous days on active duty and must be discharged due to service-connected disability
100
At least 30 months, but less than 36 months 90
At least 24 months, but less than 30 months 80
At least 18 months, but less than 24 months 70
At least 12 months, but less than 18 months 60
At least 06 months, but less than 12 months 50
At least 90 days, but less than 06 months 40
Examples:
Tuition and Fees charged for full time: $6700
Highest In-State Tuition and Fees: $7000
Example 1: If you served for three years on active duty and separated, and you are going to school full-time, in the above example you would be eligible for $6700 for tuition and fees, the monthly housing allowance, and $1000 for books and supplies.
Example 2: If you served an aggregated 12 months of active duty service in the guard or reserves, and are going to school full-time, you would be eligible for $4020 (60% of $6700) for tuition and fees, 60% of housing allowance, and $600 (60% of $1000) for books and supplies stipend.

Can I use the Post-9/11 GI Bill while on active duty?
You can use the Post-9/11 GI Bill on active duty provided you have completed at least 90 days of service. Your tuition will be paid based on how long you have served. However, the tuition payment cannot exceed either: the maximum in-State tuition at a public institution of higher learning or the amount not paid by military tuition assistance.
You will not receive a housing allowance or the book and supplies stipend, while on active duty.

What does the Post-9/11 GI Bill cover?
Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees and vocational/technical training that are offered through a college or university. All training programs must be offered by an institution of higher learning and approved for purposes of chapter 30. Additionally, tutorial assistance, and one licensing and certification test reimbursement are approved under the Post- 9/11 GI Bill.
If you are also eligible for the Active Duty Chapter 30, Reserve GI Bills or REAP, you may be eligible to pursue training for on-the-job training, apprenticeship, correspondence, flight and preparatory courses.

Can I transfer benefits to my dependents?
You MUST be a member of the Armed Forces on August 1, 2009. If you are a member of the Armed Forces on August 1, 2009, the Department of Defense may offer you the opportunity to transfer benefits to your spouse or dependent children as a retention tool. DoD and the military services will issue policy on use of transferability in the coming months.

I did not contribute $1200 to the GI Bill. Can I still get the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
Yes, you will be eligible if you meet the service requirements for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, even if you did not contribute to the Montgomery GI Bill.
http://www.gibill.va.gov/s22/Amount.htm

Am I Eligible?
An individual must have a minimum of 90 days active duty after September 10, 2001, and
Be honorably discharged from Armed Forces; or
- Be released from Armed Forces with service characterized as honorable and placed on the retired list, temporary disability retired list, or transferred to the Fleet Reserve or the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve;
- Be released from the Armed Forces with service characterized as honorable for further service in a reserve component; or
- Be discharged or released from Armed Forces for:
EPTS (Existed Prior to Service)
HDSP (Hardship) or
CIWD (Condition Interfered with Duty); or
- Continue to be on active duty.

Will I receive a retroactive payment or increased payments under the Post-9/11 GI Bill for classes I am taking before August 1, 2009?
No. The Post-9/11 GI Bill only covers classes taken or training pursued on or after August 1, 2009. However, the payment rates for the active duty GI Bill and REAP will increase effective August 1, 2008.
The active duty GI Bill full-time rates will increase:
from $1101.00 to $1,321.00 for those individuals with three years or more of qualifying service
from $894.00 to $1,073.00 for those individuals with less than three years of qualifying service.
Click the below link to see the rate chart for the active duty GI Bill: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates/CH30/ch30rates080108.htm
The REAP full-time rates will increase:
from $440.40 to $528.40 for those with consecutive service of 90 days but less than one year,
from $660.60 to $792.60 for service more than one year but less than two years
from $880.80 to $1056.80 for service of at least two consecutive years or 3 or more aggregate years.
Click the link below to see the rate chart for REAP: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates/CH1607/ch1607rates080108.htm

If I am eligible for the Active Duty GI Bill, the Reserve GI Bill, or REAP will I be able to switch to the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
If you are eligible for MGIB-AD, MGIB-SR, or REAP on August 1, 2009, and you have met the eligibility requirements for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may elect to receive benefits under the new program Click here to verify your eligibility: http://www.gibill.va.gov/s22/Amount.htm
There is no bar that would prohibit VEAP era veterans (whether they qualified under VEAP or did not participate in VEAP) from qualifying under Post-9/11 GI Bill. However, you must meet the post-9/11 active duty eligibility requirements.
Click here to verify your eligibility to the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Are there any enrollment fees?
There are no enrollment fees to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
I have a service-connected disability.

Should I use the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Vocational Rehabilitation?
If you are eligible for both the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (CH31), you should speak with your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to determine which benefit is most beneficial to your situation.

I'm going to an expensive school, how does that work?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay up to the most expensive in-state tuition and fees at a public institution of higher learning in the veteran's state, but you can still attend any approved school. In instances where the benefit level does not cover the cost of established charges, VA and the educational institution may enter into an agreement to cover the unmet expenses under the "Yellow Ribbon Program."
Note: Only individuals entitled to the full 100% benefit rate (based on service requirement) may receive this funding, and the matching contribution from the school and VA cannot exceed the full cost of the school's established charges. Click here to verify your eligibility percentage: http://www.gibill.va.gov/S22/Amount.htm
*The "Yellow Ribbon" program is not available to active duty personnel.
Example: An individual wants to attend a school with tuition and fees that exceed the cost of in-state tuition and fees at the most expensive public institution of higher learning in the veteran's state. The highest in-state tuition and fees are $10,000. The school the student selects costs $15,000. Under the "Yellow Ribbon" program, the school and the VA may enter into an agreement to cover the additional $5,000. In this instance, if a written agreement is made between VA and the school the school would cover $2,500 of the charges and the VA will match that figure.
http://www.gibill.va.gov/s22.htm