How does the Army College Fund work with VA Education Benefits?

2014-04-28T15:50:08-04:00

When many of us enlisted into the Army we received an ADDITIONAL education bonus, dependent on many factors and a different number for all. As I'm about to begin using my VA Education Benefits, I'm trying to decide if I want to use my MGIB or the Post 9/11 GI Bill. I am aware 99% of folks qualified for the Post 9/11 GIB elect this choice. But, I still want to make an educated, financially responsible choice. I've exhausted my internet search skills and even called the VA help line in the hopes of receiving a direct answer, all to no avail.

I'm looking for Veterans out there who have this 'kicker' who can maybe shed some light for me, and countless others, who could really use this information.

To put some numbers out there to help explain, when I enlisted, I received a $50K education bonus. How does this work?

Response by SFC Rich Carey made Apr 28 at 2014 3:57 PM

2014-04-28T15:57:09-04:00

You need to compare your benefits. Get out a spreadsheet and list each benefit. The Post 9/11 pays the tuition to the school and the BAH & Book Stiepend to you. The MGIB pays everything to you and you pay the school. If you combine benefits you can get up to 48 months of benefits. Word of caution, if you use a the Post 9/11 first, you sign a statement you will give up your MGIB, which I have seen several veterans regret after they did it because they did not do their homework.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Apr 28 at 2014 4:02 PM

2014-04-28T16:02:16-04:00

Certain branches of service may offer the College Fund. The College Fund money, or "kicker", is an additional amount of money that increases the basic MGIB monthly benefit and is included in the VA payment. It is important to remember that you can not receive the College Fund money without receiving MGIB. It is an add on to the MGIB benefit.

Hope this helps.

Response by SGT Christopher Camacho made Apr 28 at 2014 4:06 PM

2014-04-28T16:06:22-04:00

From what I've been told, under either GI Bill, you take the monthly benefits you'll receive, multiply that by 36 (maximum number of months benefits will be paid), add your kicker, and then divide that by 36.

With my school choices and going to school full-time, NOT all online, this is what I'm assuming I'll get.

Under the MGIB:
$1,648 x 36 mo = $59,328
$59,328 + $50,000 = $109,328
$109,328 / 36 mo = $3,037

So I would receive a check every month for $3,037

Under Post 9/11:
$2,193 (BAH Rate for my school) x 36 mo = $78,948
$78,948 + $50,000 = $128,948
$128,948 / 36 mo = $3,582

So I would receive a check every month for $3,582.

Either of these are very nice numbers as they are either equal to what I made while on Active Duty... or much more under the Post 9/11 - and that's what makes me question whether I'm understanding the program correctly or not.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Apr 28 at 2014 5:09 PM

2014-04-28T17:09:35-04:00

To be completely honest with you; you really can't decide what the best choice is until you have decided on a school and course of study. Once you have made that decision, the "VA Certifying Official" at that particular school can review all of your available options with you to ensure you make the right choice for you. In the mean time, just keep doing what your doing and try to learn as much about each of the options as you can. The difference is between the understanding of your options and the actual application of each benefit to the specific school and course of study.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Apr 29 at 2014 2:08 PM

2014-04-29T14:08:15-04:00

In most cases, the chapter 33 post 9/11 program is superior to the chapter 30 active duty GI Bill.

If you have an alternate means to pay your tuition (e.g. reserve TA or state veteran benefits) the math becomes more pertinent.

Based on my circumstances, I intend to use the post 9/11 even though I will lose the $600 buy up from back in '05 (seemed like a good idea at the time).

Response by CPL Sheila Phillips made Sep 30 at 2014 6:12 AM

2014-09-30T06:12:16-04:00

So how did the VA end up paying you? Im in the same boat. Post 9/11 and ACF, but the VA hasn't told me how much to expect yet. Sgt Camacho how did it work for you?

Response by Nathaly Mendoza made May 25 at 2016 11:58 AM

2016-05-25T11:58:59-04:00

I got a 132,000 college found at an awards ceremony at school from the army before I went to BCT. But I didn't complete BCT because I got injured. That means i don't get to keep the college found right