Posted on Nov 3, 2015
Are there any other RP Members who were denied the GI BILL due to VEAP?
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http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/veap.asp
When I entered the service I had no idea I would NOT be eligible for the GI Bill. My father got the GI bill and suggested I join to be able to use it for college too.
Unfortunately, I found out after joining that those who joined any branch of the Military from 1977 to 1985 were NOT eligible for the GI Bill....the government took it away! Instead, the only way we could possible get help for college was through VEAP. This is where we had to contribute our own money and the government doubled it...but you could only contribute up to $2000 per year.
I'm wondering if any one else on RP fell under this group....and I'm wondering if there is something that can be done.
While I was active duty, I went to night school and school on Saturdays and managed to get two Associates degrees. After getting out I used the money I contributed to VEAP and got a BFA....but still I feel like I was jilted out of something i should have been eligible for.
I went through a gazillion phone calls, but got no where. It seems it is what it is....BUT I feel it is totally unfair.
All Military after 1985 were given the GI bill.... How is this right and or fair?
When I entered the service I had no idea I would NOT be eligible for the GI Bill. My father got the GI bill and suggested I join to be able to use it for college too.
Unfortunately, I found out after joining that those who joined any branch of the Military from 1977 to 1985 were NOT eligible for the GI Bill....the government took it away! Instead, the only way we could possible get help for college was through VEAP. This is where we had to contribute our own money and the government doubled it...but you could only contribute up to $2000 per year.
I'm wondering if any one else on RP fell under this group....and I'm wondering if there is something that can be done.
While I was active duty, I went to night school and school on Saturdays and managed to get two Associates degrees. After getting out I used the money I contributed to VEAP and got a BFA....but still I feel like I was jilted out of something i should have been eligible for.
I went through a gazillion phone calls, but got no where. It seems it is what it is....BUT I feel it is totally unfair.
All Military after 1985 were given the GI bill.... How is this right and or fair?
GI Bill
Education
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 43
Suspended Profile
Kelli, when I retired in 2000, I was able to convert my VEAP to MGIB, and I got several years of MGIB benefits. I'm not sure what happened in your case - did you use up all your VEAP eligibility?
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Same here, did not know that I was not going to be eligible until after I got out and was looking into going back to school.
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The government giveth and taketh away. My mom used to and still complains all the time about the way DOD will snatch benefits when you aren't looking. Dad is a 21 year retired Veteran and they see the losses every year. I joined in 1986, so I had the Montgomery GI bill, which was less than the WWII and Vietnam era benefits. Those leaving the service with Iraq and Afgan service fall under a different really nice program, but I'm hearing that it could be getting pared down.
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I knew that the GI Bill was noc going to continue after the end of 1976, but I didn't know what they'd do. When I got to TME33 in Camp Pendleton, they asked me if I wanted go sign up for the VEAP program, contribute $ 25.00 out of each of my paychecks and when I got out, I could qualify for the GI Bill because of that contribution. So I said yes...I signed the paperwork and went on with my life.
The problem? I never noticed that they weren't taking out the $ 25 and when it was time to muster out, S-1 asked me if I was part of the VEAP program, I said yes, they said we don't see anything about that, but if you'd like to extend 6 weeks, we'll look into it. Oh, and we'll need $ 1,025.00 to go any further with this.'
Needless to say, I didn't HAVE a thousand dollars to give them and I did NOT want to extend 6 weeks at that time. So I do NOT have the GI Bill either. I agree, it's unfair. But I also don't get any veteran's points for serving my country during peace time (1977-1981). I was ready to fight, ready to die, but that apparently doesn't mean anything.
The problem? I never noticed that they weren't taking out the $ 25 and when it was time to muster out, S-1 asked me if I was part of the VEAP program, I said yes, they said we don't see anything about that, but if you'd like to extend 6 weeks, we'll look into it. Oh, and we'll need $ 1,025.00 to go any further with this.'
Needless to say, I didn't HAVE a thousand dollars to give them and I did NOT want to extend 6 weeks at that time. So I do NOT have the GI Bill either. I agree, it's unfair. But I also don't get any veteran's points for serving my country during peace time (1977-1981). I was ready to fight, ready to die, but that apparently doesn't mean anything.
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Sgt Kelly Mays, I came in in 1980 and did the VEAP thing. Back in 96 we were allowed to transition over to GI Bill, which I did. They couldn't find any record that I had contributed all the money back in the day, but did have the account with a few dollars in it. So, I payed the money, but when I got out and tried to use it, the VA denied my claim saying they couldn't find any money. Had all my LESs showing the deductions in 96 and 97, but that didn't matter.
Got to love that VA. Always looking out for us.
Got to love that VA. Always looking out for us.
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I enlisted in the Air Force on Nov 13, 1980. I vaguely remember being told about the VEAP programwhile i was in Basic Training at Lackland AFB. It sounded good so I signed up for it. I never contributed to it. I used tuition assistance to get my aircraft maintenance specialist associates degree. I used tuition assistance to get my flight engineer associates degree. I retired in November of 2000. A friend of mine stayed in the Air Force and was given the opportunity to get the Post 9/11 GI Bill. He was eligible to use the Bill for college for himself, his wife, his daughter and he told told me his granddaughter would be able to have her college tuition covered. I am extremely pissed off that I got a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice in 2005 and I am still paying on my student loan with interest with no help from the government. I dont think my congressman or senator could do anything for me. They are the same type of legislators that allow the Spouse Protection Act to remain the same so that divorced servicemen and servicewomen pay half their retirement to their ex-spouse for the rest of their lives. Not for 20 years but until they die while paying child-support. Why are we being punished?
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Yes . That was me as well. I tried to change while still on active duty but was denied. When i got out and tried to use VEAP I was told the program was done. Then I had to file to get my $$$$ back (no interest). So much for the 10 years to use.
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Don't think it is right or fair, but unfortunately we signed the contract.
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Sgt Kelli Mays
MSG Daniel Hermany yep, but unfortunately...I neither saw the fine print where it stated this, nor did my recruiter mention it....BUT I sure mentioned the GI bill when signing up and was not EVER told I would not get it.
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MSG Daniel Hermany
Most are good recruiters that do their best for their recruits. Unfortunately there are some bad apples in the barrel as well.
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I served from 1983 to 2008, and was also initially a VEAP bubba... Although I do recall that during the transition from VEAP to the Montgomery GI Bill, that like everything else that transitions in the military, there are "Open Season" buy-in periods to convert over to the new program. And we were all given a number of months for a one time buy-in of $3600 into the MGI Bill to get the benefits everybody else got. Otherwise you were S.O.L. on education benefits. I obviously hung around a little longer and was eligible for the 9/11 GI Bill which is an outstanding program. Otherwise like most young airmen, sailors, soldiers, and marines back in the mid 80's where we didn't make near the money the kids of today are making, I never had $3600 available to invest in an education program. So if not for the 9/11 GI Bill, I would not have had any education benefits myself.
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TSgt Donnie Meaders
Like you sir, I didn't have the money to buy in to the MGI benefits either. Glad you got to be covered by the 9/11 bill and get your education.
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SFC Steven Wheeler
I was in the same boat. Served from 1982 and retired 2004. Had VEAP, used for last two semesters for AS degree, and then ended up cashing out the rest I had in the program. Did not have the money to convert to Montgomery GI Bill (missed the first window because I was then AGR and never heard about the conversion during the first go around). Last year applied for Post 9/11 GI Bill and got turned down because I was not called to AGR duty by the president (I was by State of Florida). I am guessing that AGRs working at NGB level are the only ones that can use the benefit.
I am glad that I was able to finish my bachelor's degree using TA while I was still on active duty though. I tried to use the State NG program, but was told that program was not available to AGR's.
I am glad that I was able to finish my bachelor's degree using TA while I was still on active duty though. I tried to use the State NG program, but was told that program was not available to AGR's.
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