How many months of schooling can an individual get from VA (under this scenario)?

SGT David Brimmer, MS, MPA — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 06:39:03 -0400

Hypothetical situation: Let's say a dependent uses the Dependent Education Assistance program (Ch 35), then transferred Post 9/11 GI Bill (Ch 33). Then, they enlist in the National Guard (making them eligible for Ch 1606). After a few months of using that, they get deployed (entitling them to their own post 9/11 G.I. Bill). While deployed, they are injured and medically separated. They apply for and are accepted to use Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services (Ch 31).

How many months of schooling can this individual actually get from VA?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 20 at 2016 6:44 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 06:44:02 -0400

Hopefully they have an inexhaustible amount of time.

Response by GySgt Bill Smith made Apr 20 at 2016 10:06 AM

GySgt Bill Smith — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 10:06:25 -0400

I believe you can only have 48 month on any program. I could be wrong.

Response by Sgt Tammy Wallace made Apr 20 at 2016 1:08 PM

Sgt Tammy Wallace — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 13:08:51 -0400

great question...do you have the answer?...I'm only asking because most "brain teasers" come with one. :)

Response by SGT Aaron P. made Apr 20 at 2016 1:46 PM

SGT Aaron P. — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 13:46:10 -0400

If I remember correctly, they can only get 48 months of assistance, UNLESS, your study path can prove that employment without a Masters, or PhD is unlikely (psychologist ect...) I MAY BE WRONG THOUGH, curious to find out the answer to the brain teaser.

Response by SGT David Brimmer, MS, MPA made Apr 20 at 2016 2:36 PM

SGT David Brimmer, MS, MPA — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 14:36:31 -0400

Well, I'm glad to see that folks are on the right track. This is a tricky situation and the ultimate answer is... it depends. (boooooo, right?) Let's figure out the education bene's (pronounced benny's) first. Chapter 35 gives you 45 months maximum. Transferred Chapter 33 gives you up to 36 months. We're at that 81 month cap now. Chapter 1606 is technically different because your eligibility depends on your status as a reservist. You can ride that gravy train until the wheels fall off or you get deployed, which is what happened in our hypothetical. After the 12 month deployment, our soldier returns home and is qualified for (for the sake of argument) 50% of his/her Post 9/11 GI Bill. Here's where it starts getting a little mucky. I've seen this go both ways. Since our soldier has already "capped out" at 81 months, they should not be entitled to any more VA-administered education entitlements. In some cases (maybe human error?), "the system" doesn't pick up on that and they gain entitlement using their own Post 9/11GI Bill. Again, 36 months. So, if the stars align and the moon is in retrophase, I've seen people have and use up to 117 months of education entitlements, two people in fact. Now, the last part is Chapter 31. SGT's Pfeil and Groth are right. Voc. Rehab. is NOT an education entitlement. It's a vocational entitlement (benefit, technically). Going to college to learn a new trade is just one of the five paths that a person using Voc. Rehab. can take. Now, SGT Pfeil hit the nail on the head. The VR&E counselors have a mandate to get you to the minimum level of employability (among other things) for a job that fits your interests, aptitudes, and abilities. If, let's say, that job happens to be a professional counselor, you are going to need a Master's degree to do that profession. **CAUTION** That does not mean you can walk in and get a graduate level degree without any other training. If you already have a Bachelor's degree in a complimentary field, you are way more likely to prove your case. Remember, these folks work with budgets just like everyone else does. So, to wrap this up...you can technically stay in Voc. Rehab. until you are rehabilitated or deemed unable to be rehabilitated. I've known some folks to "play the system" and hang out in there for years. You don't want to be that guy/gal, though.

The bottom line is to know what you are eligible for and how those benefits interact with each other. It's all laid out in the CFR's, which we all have access too as citizens. Do your research and then use your benefits!

Response by PO3 Ellsworth Allen Westgate made Apr 20 at 2016 2:39 PM

PO3 Ellsworth Allen Westgate — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 14:39:29 -0400

36 months of the Post 911 which you need to use first. If you use Rehab before the G.I. Bill - Rehab deducts that time form your G.I. Bill , Use your G.I. Bill first then Rehab - That's why you get 36 months on the G.I. Bill they assume you can be Rehabilitated well enough back on your feet in that amount of time

Response by SSG Jeremy Kohlwes made Apr 20 at 2016 4:16 PM

SSG Jeremy Kohlwes — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 16:16:30 -0400

It's really all situational and depends a lot. I am using Voc Rehab right now which will take me to my B.S. I couldn't talk my VA counselor into letting me go further than that (Yaay VA). However, I will still have a year and half of post 9/11 after I finish my B.S. which I will be able to use for graduate school. You should also look at state benefits, there are some really nice ones out there. And then you just need to piece the puzzle together to maximize the amount of time covered by the different benefits. Of course, if said dependent is only interested in an undergraduate degree then it's kind of a moot point.

Response by SPC Paul Jennings, J.D. made Apr 20 at 2016 6:25 PM

SPC Paul Jennings, J.D. — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 18:25:47 -0400

"Limit on training under two or more programs. The aggregate period for which any person may receive assistance under two or more [educational programs] may not exceed 48 months"
38 C.F.R. § 21.4020.

48 months is the limit whether based upon your service or the service of another. However, VocRehab does have an exception to this rule. Also, I would wager the VA likely does not track this carefully enough that it would be impossible for someone to exceed the limit based upon usage of someone's benefit. In this case though you would likely be liable to the VA for over payment.