Post 9/11 GI Bill?

Discussion in 'Military-related education topics' started by sjackson_ca, Feb 1, 2011.

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  1. sjackson_ca

    sjackson_ca New Member

    My husband is in the process of applying for his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. And then he will transfer them.

    My question as I couldn't really find this anywhere on the website and am too impatient to wait as we continue the process......

    If the recipient of the benefit (who would be a family member, as the benefit has been transferred at this point) had been enrolled in a qualifying college/program, and enrolled prior to the application for the Post 9/11 benefits, can the request for tuition reimbursement/BAH benefit be made retroactive back to the date of enrollment in college? I'm thinking it is "possible" as there is a limit to the number of months total (36) benefits would be paid. So regardless of when application/approval is made, so long as the recipient was in college, and it is limited to 36 months, the benefits would even be retroactive.

    If you know. Thanks.

    S

    P.S. Just a suggestion.....maybe there should be a separate category on the board for "financial issues - tuition, loans, employer reimbursement, government programs, etc." Anyone else think there are sufficient discussions on these financial topics to warrant a separate category?
     
  2. jaer57

    jaer57 New Member

    The Post 9/11 GI Bill will not pay for any tuition costs incurred prior to approval whether it is for the military member or a dependent transfer. If this is going to be a financial problem for you, I suggest you stop now and wait until it is approved in writing.
     
  3. NorCal

    NorCal Active Member

    Another point to mention, is that by switching to the POST 9/11 GI Bill from your current entitlement, you will lose time on your GI Bill (I believe you lose 12 months). When I switched my GI Bill, I did not know that little fun fact. . .
     
  4. jaer57

    jaer57 New Member

    That shouldn't have happened to you. Had you used your Montgomery GI bill at all when you did the transfer? If not, then you rate 36 months of Post 9/11 GI Bill. If you did use 12 months of the Montgomery GI bill, then it is true you would not receive those 12 months again. However, if you use 36 months of the Montgomery GI Bill, and qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill over a period of service in addition to the period of service that qualified you for the Montgomery GI bill, you could receive another 12 months of Post 9/11 GI bill for a total of 48 months of benefits. Did that make sense? Anyways, if you had not touched your Montgomery GI Bill and lost the 12 months, I would appeal the VA's decision which will force an audit of your file. During the audit they will have to justify taking those 12 months, and provided you had not used 12 months of the Montgomery GI bill already you would get those months back. I would start by sending a message to the VA via the Q&A section of the website with your information, what happened, and then start the appeal process. Worst case is you don't get those 12 months back, but it couldn't hurt to try.

    Sorry for the ramble. Good luck!
     
  5. NorCal

    NorCal Active Member

    I have to look into that. My community college VA Rep switched my entitlement from the Montgomery GI Bill to the POST 9/11 without my knowledge because he though it would help. Only issue I had was that I was a halt-time student taking 6 units a semester, and all of a sudden I wasn't getting any money because I wasn't taking at least 7 units per the POST 9/11 GI Bill . . . .

    My community college VA Rep is a good dude, and he was only trying to help. and the POST 9/11 entitlement was still pretty new.
     
  6. sjackson_ca

    sjackson_ca New Member

    Thanks for the input. I figure the least he can do is ask....and the worse is be told no and begin benefits from that point. We're splitting the benefits. BAH will go to our daughter as she doesn't need the tuition reimbursement, on NROTC scholarship. (But the BAH benefit in New York City is sweet! Even at 40% or 50%) But there is food and some transportation expenses, supplies, etc. I would use the tuition reimbursement to cover what my employer's tuition reimbursement doesn't cover. (It is limited) That way I can accelerate my studies.

    Anyway, thanks again.

    S
     
  7. JBjunior

    JBjunior Active Member

    This is possible? When I have heard about "splitting" it up it has been spouse getting 12 months, child getting 24 months (or whatever split) but never anything about being able to pick and choose what portions of the benefits each person would get.
     
  8. Good question. This would be the first time I have heard of anything like this. Maybe she is going to personally split it after it has been paid. Otherwise I'm not so sure that it can be done.
     
  9. sjackson_ca

    sjackson_ca New Member

    Well we will be asking. The thing is she can't get tuition reimbursement. There is no tuition to reimburse. She said there are others in her unit who have done this, or so one of the officers mentioned. So does it just "go away" because she doesn't need it? I can't get BAH. (Distance learning) So does that just not get paid? Even if there is a family member who would qualify? Again, these are the questions we will be asking. All they can say is "no."

    S
     
  10. JBjunior

    JBjunior Active Member

    She keeps it until she needs it if it has already been given to her. If she doesn't need it now and doesn't ever plan on going to grad school you should have consulted with a representative before making the entitlement transfer. You can get BAH as of August of this year and it will be 50% of the national average, it is a recent change. It is one thing to ask but the way it was worded it came off as a plan, something that was already established. Remember, it isn't up to "them" it is based on law. They can't decide to break the law because they think it is ok. Definitely consult with a counselor on it but the advice given above is based on law.
     

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