Once my Post 911 G.I. Bill benefits are exhausted, what other benefits or scholarships exist to help my dependents go to school?

MSgt Kim Micheloni — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 13:15:16 -0400

I am a 14 year 80% disabled veteran. I was awarded the Post 911 GI Bill when I got back from Iraq. I went back to school and got half-way through my Ph.D. when my education & housing benefits were exhausted. I can't afford to pay to go back to school because I have a daughter in her Junior yer of college. Can the "Forever GI Bill" help me or is there some type of assistance/scholarship she can qualify for? Can someone help me? I have contacted the VA Education Dept and they said that since I used all of my benefits for housing and education that there is nothing they can do to help neither my daughter or myself?

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Oct 23 at 2019 1:21 PM

Maj Kim Patterson — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 13:21:10 -0400

MSgt Kim Micheloni my children were impacted by military service and were exposed to all kinds of hazardous materials, I am 90% at this point and awaiting answers. One is working as a Pediatric Nurse at Phoenix Children as a single parent and has education loans hanging over head as she cares for sickest children. The other fished the Bearing Seas, had a psychotic break and turned to heroin and is living on the street.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Oct 23 at 2019 1:25 PM

SPC Nancy Greene — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 13:25:02 -0400

Typical answer from VA!!! If you can reach 100%, then your daughter is eligible for Educational Benefits and possibly FREE tuition... the easiest way to go from 80% to 100% is by being rated ‘Unemployable’!!! A letter from a Psychiatrist or Doctor will suffice as evidence to award the 100% rating. If You need further assistance or have questions, please feel free to contact me! That is how I obtained my 100% Service-Connected rating! I was ‘STUCK’ at 80% for years and one letter from a fantastic Psychiatrist was all I needed to be granted the 100% rating and I even received backpay to the date of the Doctor’s letter! Good Luck!!! Reach out to me if I can do something to assist you!!! Nancy

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2019 1:36 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 13:36:40 -0400

MSgt Kim Micheloni have you checked with the state that you live in to see if they have any programs that you may qualify for or have you checked to see if the college(s) have any non-VA programs?

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Oct 23 at 2019 2:09 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 14:09:18 -0400

1.) Why are you paying for your daughter's college? She is an adult, surely, by her Junior year. Why not let her work her way through college? I and my wife got three degrees between us that way, and we found it to be a beneficial experience. And yes, we graduated without debt of any kind.
2.) You may be able to find a PhD program that has the tuition waived and/or has a stipend. It helps to have high scores on relevant standardized tests.
3.) Your education benefits are exhausted, and the VA will not pay for more of your education or your daughters. This will not change unless one or both of you join the military to earn benefits again.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Oct 24 at 2019 5:41 AM

SPC Nancy Greene — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 05:41:30 -0400

You need to ‘tap’ into Vocational Rehabilation benefits through the VA... that’s how I obtained two Masters Degrees. Wanted to continue to PhD, but my academic advisor pointed out how difficult it would be to secure employment with a PhD with no work experience... he was right because after the contract which provided me my job as an in-home Therapist for USMC at Camp LeJeune went out for bid (after almost 10 years); my degree was suddenly in the wrong field and I had no job! At that point, I was overqualified at MS level and didn’t have PhD!!! That’s when I threw myself into aquatics, unemployment, and anything I could do! Finally applied for VR again for three additional Psychology Grad courses sonI could teach at Community College. Sold house, moved close to Duke and UNC. My VR request was Denied, so I continued in AquTics, even became ASCA level two USSA swim coach. Excellent psychiatrist diagnosed me correctly and my rating went up to 80%. SSI attorney contacted me and handled my case for percentage of case resolved in my favor... it did, I received close to $30,000 in backpay. I purchased a home near my parents and retired. Then with help from same Psychiatrist, finally reached 100% ‘unemployable’ and that combined with SSI has allowed me to live comfortably!!! There ARE ways to achieve your educational goals without incurring excessive student loans!!! Contact me if you need assistance to’tap’ into VR benefits and educational benefits for your dependents!!! Nancy

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 24 at 2019 11:26 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 11:26:48 -0400

Many states give free in state tuition to 100% disabled vets. The rub is that getting from 80 to 100 is really hard.

Response by LCpl Victor Stringer made Oct 24 at 2019 2:36 PM

LCpl Victor Stringer — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 14:36:05 -0400

I think that perhaps, with your background and Military Service,
you might consider, having someone assist you with a "Go-Fund-Me". account. People have had luck with this, who do no
have your great background.

Response by SPC Angela Burnham made Oct 25 at 2019 6:27 PM

SPC Angela Burnham — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 18:27:35 -0400

MSgt Kim Micheloni I used Vocational Rehabilitation through the VA after my GI Bill expired. It gives you like another year of benefits if you get accepted into the program.

Response by SPC Paul Rook made Oct 28 at 2019 10:02 AM

SPC Paul Rook — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 10:02:58 -0400

If you've exhausted your Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits, it won't matter that the forever date that was awarded to servicemembers who exited service after 2013 and had their dates extended. Since you're 80% disabled, if it's a permanent rating by the VA then your children get VA assistance for college tuition/room/board. Your state may also have a tuition program for permanently rated disabled veteran's dependents. If your rating is temporary, then you miss out on these benefits. You may qualify for Chapter 31 Vocational Rehab benefits if you're unemployable. But, with a Master's degree already, that may be out of the question. Again, if you have a permanent rating, the VA may also pay for your education. However, after the Bachelor's level degree has been obtained the VA may not consider your tuition assistance a priority for your employability. https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/

The Montgomery GI Bill is Chapter 30. You should have this benefit if you invested while in your 1st year of initial service. But, it expires 10 years after ETS.

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The GI Bill provides educational assistance to servicemembers, veterans, and their dependents.