Hello Everyone! I am currently attending Georgetown University for my second Master degree under the Post 9/11 GI Bill - Yellow Ribbon Program. After this semester I would have 6 more courses to complete my degree, which according to my unofficial degree plan. I was informed by the Department of Veteran Affairs that I still have 2 years and 6 days of benefits after this semester. Recently, I was accepted to Capella University for Ph.D in Organizations & Managements. I am trying to get the VA to pay for both school while receiving housing allowance. As you know that the current Post 9/11 GI Bill does not offer housing allowance for distance/online students. A recent modification request by Senators will be set aside due to Federal Government's budget deficit. If the modification is approved by Congress must take at least 1 or 2 more years. Well, Capella University informed me that the VA does not fund two programs as the same time. Unless I have a program status at Capella University, and non-degree status at Georgetown University. All current or future courses at Georgetown University be approved to transfer to Capella University's program. In the other side, Georgetown University does not offer Yellow Ribbon Program if the student does not admit to the program status. I plan to take two courses at Capella University, and one course at Georgetown University. Which 6 courses at Georgetown University can be completed in 2 years, and at least I am done everything at Capella University except the dissertation in 2 years. Has anybody in here run into this situation? Any further advices would be greatly appreciated.:blindfold:
The VA will not pay for two schools at once, period. I was just talking about this very issue the other day when my friend was denied. He was attempting to take coursework (for the same degree) from two schools because his main school didn't offer all the courses he wanted to take. I heard a rumor that the VA is looking into this, but as it stands, you can only go to one school at a time and get paid for it under the POST 9-11 GI Bill.
Where did you get the information from that the VA doesn't pay two schools as the same time? I have spoken with the VA that they do pay two schools as the same time; however, they don't pay two programs as the same time. This means that you admit to the Distance learning program, and taking one course at the time at local school toward your distance learning degree.
This isn't true and goes against what the VA has in their FAQ. Since you can't get the housing allowance via distance learning they suggest taking at least one course in residence at any institution as long as it transfers into the other degree program. "Do I get BAH while enrolled in distance learning? If your entire enrollment is distance or online training you are not entitled to the BAH portion of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. If just one of your classes is categorized as “in-residence” and you are otherwise eligible, you would be entitled to the applicable BAH rate for the time you are engaged in “in-residence” training. This may include in-residence course(s) at the secondary school, provided you will receive credit toward your degree program for those courses. The BAH will be determined by the ZIP code of the “in-residence” course(s) school location."
Well it appears I might have it wrong. My USMC buddy was attending CCSF in San Francisco and tried taking a few courses at another college. In by doing so the CCSF VA rep told him he could not draw payment from attending two schools, even if all courses were being pursued to accomplish the same major/ degree. But like I said, we could had received bad information. Let us know how your situation pans out. . .
The GI bill, Post 9/11 and Montgomery, will not pay for two separate degree programs at the same time. If you want to do what you are planning to do, you should use the BAH money for Georgetown to pay for Capella, or decide to finish one and then the other. "The GI Bill will allow you to attend more than one college at a time, as long as the classes at both institutions count towards your degree, and the school granting your degree accepts the classes at the second school as part of your requirements." Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site | The Home for All Educational Benefits Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs
