G.I. Bill

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by lawrenceq, Nov 21, 2008.

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  1. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    I have only 7 months and 22 days worth of G.I. Bill money and want to start out as a part-time student. Will I lose money if I do this? I don't know if the VA looks at the hours while charging benefits or what.
     
  2. coming_home

    coming_home New Member

    Have you asked the education office?
     
  3. Dinman

    Dinman New Member

    Lawrenceq, I am a veteran of the almight USMC and I can tell you that in order to recieve your GI Bill benefits, you must attend an institution FULL TIME, attending part-time will not work.
     
  4. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck


    Dinman,

    I'm sure some things may have changed but I used the Viet Nam era GI Bill and part time was allowed for the GI Bill. In addition I was able to recieve an extra month due to some regulations at the time that allowed for payment through a semester even if you used your full benefit. But then, times do change.

    Semper Fi



    Lawrenceq,

    not knowing which GI Bill or your personal circumstances I recommend you read the following and make some inquiries.

    "http://www.gibill.va.gov/Training/Presentations/FAFSA_and_VA_Education_Benefits.pdf

    For questions concerning your VA educational benefits, contact VA at 1-888-GIBILL1 or visit us online at www.gibill.va.gov.

    http://www1.va.gov/opa/is1/4.asp

    Payments: Effective Oct. 1, 2007, the rate for full-time training in college, technical or vocational school is $1,101 a month for those who served three years or more or two years plus four years in the Selected Reserve. For those who served less than three years, the monthly rate is $894. Benefits are reduced for part-time training. Payments for other types of training follow different rules. VA will pay an additional amount, called a “kicker” or “college fund,” if directed by DOD. Visit http://www.gibill.va.gov for more information.

    The maximum number of months veterans can receive payments is 36 months at the full-time rate or the part-time equivalent."

    regards,
     
  5. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    This is the VA answer:

    Thanks for using VA On-Line

    Your 7 months and 22 days is based on full-time training. If you attend school at three-quarter time or half time, it will extend your education benefits. Your Chapter 30 education benefit monthly payment, reduces your Chapter 30 MGIB by 1 month for each full-time payment.

    Customer Service Section
    Atlanta Regional Office
     
  6. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    In some cases it may be beneficial for you to attend part-time. I am going to AMU and they give me 3/4 tuition rate ($900 a month) for taking one graduate class.

    You can go 1/4 time, 1/2 time, 3/4 time and full-time. This is not your fathers VA. Good things are happening, especially with the new GI Bill. You can use the GI Bill for a ton of things. IT Certification, EMT training, LE training, Pilot training, college, OJT, hell if you get an apprenticeship they will pay you GI Bill benefits.

    Good luck!

    Cory

    Forgot to add that I enlisted in the Air Guard and received the GI Bill Kicker, so that is another couple of hundred a month (maybe more like $175). Yep, you can use your active duty GI Bill (Ch.30) with the reserve kicker...All you have to do is deploy on occasion and even that is not so bad.
     
  7. pcguy_28

    pcguy_28 New Member

    You could even get a degree from Andrew Jackson and pocket the rest for a Master at a B&M school.

    Jayson
     
  8. Dono

    Dono Member

    Cory,
    I"m active duty and looking to possibly get a second Master's degree. I'll have to use the GI BILL since TA already paid for one Master's. If I use the GI BILL and take one graduate course every 12 weeks would I get the 3/4 time rate you mentioned? Thanks for any input you can provide.
     
  9. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    No offense to anyone on the board (and I am a vet myself and used GI Bill benefits.)...

    If you have questions about the GI bill - send e-mails to the school you plan to attend and the VA to get your answers in writing! Everyone has a different situation and you just want to be sure when dealing with this benefit.

    Shawn
     
  10. Dono

    Dono Member

    Shawn,
    Your right. I've contacted two schools and the VA so far and I haven't recieved a response yet. I'm just trying to get a gauge on this from those who've used the benefit for graduate credits. I've used the GI Bill for Top-Up and I realize that each person's circumstances are different so what I get I won't take as complete fact for my situation. Hopefully the VA will respond to my question as well as the two schools.....Let's hope I don't get a different answer from all of them.
     
  11. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Well, you can use the TA anytime as long as within the limit amount per fisical year. They don't really care how many degree you are reaching. For example, if your service give you TA $4,500.00 per year, and if you reach that amount before the year end. You can use the GI Bill upfront. Or another example, it costs $500.00 per credit; T.A pays only $250.00....GI Bill upfront covers whatever left. They don't give you a full-time or part-time likes Veterans.
     
  12. D.Paul

    D.Paul New Member

    Depends on the service and the situation when dealing with Tuition Assistance. The AF will pay for one graduate degree (Master's) through TA and after that you're done.

    Was it different for you? Man, that would have been nice.......

    D.Paul
     
  13. pooples

    pooples New Member

    If you qualify for benefits under the “new” GI Bill (Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act) you may want to wait to use your benefits until it comes into effect in August. The increased benefits are outstanding. I have seven and a half month left on my GI Bill, and even though I start a Ph.D. program in March, I will wait until August to use my GI Bill.

    Here is information about the new GI Bill: http://www.gibill2008.org/benefits.html

    With the current GI Bill (Chapter 30) regarding the question of half time vs. full time, what the VA does is take a month’s worth of benefits and divide it by the amount of time you are at school to determine your payment. Even though you are paid monthly, if you are half time you will only use 15 days worth of benefits over that month.

    For those on Active Duty, if you spend more on school than tuition assistance will cover, you can use what is call Tuition Assistance Top Up. What happens is the amount that is not covered is taken out of your GI Bill benefits. They determine how many months or days to take out depending on your monthly rate.

    I was in the Air Force for six years. I finished my Bachelor’s before I got out then finished my Master’s the next year. I have yet to pay out of pocket for school. I’m starting a Ph.D. program and I think about half will be covered by my remaining GI Bill (Chapter 33) and employer tuition assistance.

    If anyone has any questions about the GI Bill or TA Top Up please feel free to PM me.
     

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