If I take courses while enlisted, am I eligible for G.I. Bill afterwards?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 08:50:15 -0500

I tried to research this on my own first, but I’m still confused. If I were to take college courses online while serving active duty, would those courses be paid for by the G.I. Bill? If so, would I still be able to use the G.I. Bill after I ETS? I’m confused on the process.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2019 8:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 08:54:17 -0500

Yes, use your TA, go to the education center, they will hook you up. I recommend Post University if you go to online college.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Feb 6 at 2019 8:56 AM

LTC Eugene Chu — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 08:56:17 -0500

Save GI Bill for after your enlistment. As mentioned by other commentators, you can use tuition assistance for school discount while still on active duty.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2019 9:41 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 09:41:31 -0500

Yes, use TA ( tuition assistance) they have a cap per year that you can use also have a credit per hour cap. So research your school and make sure the tuition is under it. I recommend an online school that has a physical campus, look to some of the major universities , LSU, Alabama, Georgia etc and get your degree from there that way no one will ever know you got it online. You will have to get supervisor approval for TA, but that is generally pretty easy. I used it to get my masters when I was active. let me know if you have any questions.

DO NOT USE YOUR GI BILL- save that for something after

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2019 10:09 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 10:09:37 -0500

Do not use your MGIB until you get out.!!! Use TA while on Active Duty to do college courses.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2019 11:43 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 11:43:19 -0500

Those courses are paid for by tuition assistance. TA is free for you to use, nearly unlimited, and does not obligate you to apy any time to the Army. It's one of the single best military benefits.
There is a cap of 250 per semester hour and a maximum of 5 classes a year. I think that's the current cap, it's changed several times over the last few years.
In addition, with the college you're taking you will be eligible for a Pell grant when you submit your FAFSA. That will pay for another class that year. In addition there are several tax credits that will refund a portion of your books if they weren't covered by your school.
You can earn a certificate, associate, and a bachelor completely with TA and not having to touch your GI Bill. If you pursue a master degree, it will pay up to 250 per semester hour, the rest you will have to come out of pocket or use your GI Bill. Because most masters courses cost 500 or more per semester hour, you can use your GI Bill for what is called Top Up to pay the portion not covered by TA.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2019 1:23 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 13:23:55 -0500

Are you planning on taking all your classes at the same college?

Otherwise, make sure your classes will transfer first to the college you end up at. Often times transferring between different colleges can be a headache since some classes aren't perfect matches. For example, my 100-level chemistry class at Oregon State transferred to Portland State as a general science elective and not as a chemistry class... since Portland State decided it wasn't on the same level as their own 100 level course.

Also, not all colleges have the same core requirements for a bachelor's/master's degree. Keep that in mind to avoid taking unnecessary classes. Identify your major early on, then decide which colleges offer it, then decide between the colleges, and then speak to an advisor about taking classes at another college. Maybe they have dual enrollment options or articulation agreements.

Also, be aware there are two types of GI bills, the old Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) that you pay money into for 3/4 years and the new Post/911 GI Bill that awards a percentage of tuition reimbursement based on active duty time.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Feb 6 at 2019 1:44 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 13:44:29 -0500

Just like others have said: DO NOT USE YOUR GI BILL, USE TA!!!!!

Response by MGySgt Rick Tyrrell made Feb 6 at 2019 6:09 PM

MGySgt Rick Tyrrell — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 18:09:31 -0500

As far as I know no. The GI bill is after you get out. Your tuition is mostly paid for from the government