Post 9/11 GI Bill - Major Modification (Distance Learning)

The Post 9/11 GI Bill will have 6 major moditifications include distanclearning for living stipend.

"
Provide a modified living stipend to students who are enrolled in distance learning (online education) programs.

Read more: Senator Proposes 6 Major GI Bill Fixes | Military.com
"

That means you'll receive housing allowance while attending distance learning. I am wondering what zipcode do they use, school or home location? If school, then people try to enroll NYU, Columbia, Poly, San Francisco, and those with high BAH rates.

So what do you think, would this benefit is a fair deal for distance learner?

 

I think is great deal.

 

I expect the BAH will be based on the zip code of where the student actually lives. That would be the fairest way to determine the amount.

 

I'm sure they'll use the zip code where the student currently resides. Its like when I deploy and I get BAH, its based on the zip code of my Home of Record. Now, I wonder what the BAH rate is for Iraq?

I used all of my GI Bill up (Montgomery GI Bill)

 

Probably base of record if you are deployed overseas and using it. I also think you are eligible for up to 12 months of the new GI bill even if you exhausted your MGIB benefits up, might want to check with the VA.

BTW that's awesome news if it gets passed, but the living stipend won't matter for active folks, we don't get it anyways.

 

Smokey's right. I'm in the same boat, having used up all 36 months of Chapter 30 benefits. So long as you meet the Chapter 33 requirements, you still qualify for 12 months of Chapter 33 benefits. You should ask the VA directly about your own situation, but that's what they told me in my case.

 

I used up my 36 months of chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill) and they told me that I no longer have any federal benefits available. I got a letter from them a couple of months ago to that affect.

I did it to make sure I qualify for the Hazelwood Act here in Texas.

 

Do you have post 9/11 active duty service? If so, you should put in a chapter 33 application. Check out this link from the VA website:

https://www.gibill2.va.gov/cgi-bin/vba.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=978&p_created=1239887733&p_sid=Zj75FC1k&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NTQsNTQmcF9wcm9kcz0wJnBfY2F0cz0xNyZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PTEuMTcmcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9Mw**&p_li=&p_topview=1

 

No, my time was long before 9/11.

 

I'm screwed also. Dummy me, I used the Chapter 1607 (REAP) right when I came home from Iraq in 2005 (REAP was passed in FY 2005 specifically for National Guard/Reservists). Didn't think that the Feds would come along 4 years later and pass an educational benefit that I could pass along to my kids as a result of my service...

Shawn

 

The modification is a step in the right direction but is still highly unfair for us who are taking distance learning classess. What do these people in Congress not understand about distance learning? If the school is accredited they should meet all the requirements as any other brick and mortar school. They (Congress) may not believe it, but I have a mortgage and electricity to pay also. If the bill is not going to treat everyone fair, it's time to go back to the drawing board and do it right!