Posted on Apr 16, 2020
What would benefit Veterans more, GI Bill or 75k for housing?
10.1K
161
55
10
10
0
We understand the need for education and financial freedom but the biggest worry for a family is providing.
Yes the GI bill provides BAH and the VA Home loan but does one hand really help the other in this situation? Or is it more realistic to have a house paid off continue at the job you don’t plan on leaving and not have the worry about having to go to school to change your situation and a 30 year loan? Your thoughts...
Yes the GI bill provides BAH and the VA Home loan but does one hand really help the other in this situation? Or is it more realistic to have a house paid off continue at the job you don’t plan on leaving and not have the worry about having to go to school to change your situation and a 30 year loan? Your thoughts...
Housing
GI Bill
Working
Mental Health
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 19
1
1
0
Education/BAH and the home loan are way more useful and make a much larger impact in a Veterans life than 75k towards a home. I can totally understand the allure and help that paying off that much towards a home would provide for a family but it’s short sighted and temporary.
The 75k without a low interest home loan would still cause issues and waste money. Another issue is that a Veteran could possibly make the mistake of getting more house than they need and end up getting slammed come property tax season.
Plus at the end of the day having a house isn’t a career or livelihood. Having a well paying job and job skills is way more important. And you can always get a nice home after that nice paycheck starts hitting
The 75k without a low interest home loan would still cause issues and waste money. Another issue is that a Veteran could possibly make the mistake of getting more house than they need and end up getting slammed come property tax season.
Plus at the end of the day having a house isn’t a career or livelihood. Having a well paying job and job skills is way more important. And you can always get a nice home after that nice paycheck starts hitting
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Using the GI Bill to further my education was a long term investment. That investment is now paying off in a higher annual salary that I wouldn't have without the education and certifications I earned.
That has enabled me to buy a house and pay it off (hopefully within the next year) much sooner than anticipated.
Education is the key to financial freedom.
I understand that going to school isn't the route for everyone. The GI Bill is in place to give veteran's an opportunity to enrich their lives through education. It is not a social program.
That has enabled me to buy a house and pay it off (hopefully within the next year) much sooner than anticipated.
Education is the key to financial freedom.
I understand that going to school isn't the route for everyone. The GI Bill is in place to give veteran's an opportunity to enrich their lives through education. It is not a social program.
(1)
(0)
Sgt Jordan Foster
Good afternoon GySgt,
Please don’t get me wrong I’m not saying education isn’t a key to financial freedom and a long term investment! Because it absolutely is. But what I’m questioning is the fact that there is no option yes a degree can get you a good job that pays and or gives you the career and life desired! But a paid house would also help ease a lot of the stress before hand you can go to community college and apply for grants and scholarships and still come out paying very little. Work ethic is a very common denominator in every comment but kind of unspoken. A paid house and a minimum wage job is better than having a middle class job and rent. Some don’t get VA benefits. No severance package. No retirement. And are left to fend yes service time has been great and you deserve every benefit that is offered everybody with your time and service does! But this is a new era school is cheap and it’s very non traditional. In the 70s when the American dream was still the dream having A degree then was much more worth it’s weight in gold than it is now! Just saying the military forwarded you the benefit to Education in MOS school and continues with MCIs and programs within while active. They also gave the benefit of housing. But that’s lost when some get out.
Please don’t get me wrong I’m not saying education isn’t a key to financial freedom and a long term investment! Because it absolutely is. But what I’m questioning is the fact that there is no option yes a degree can get you a good job that pays and or gives you the career and life desired! But a paid house would also help ease a lot of the stress before hand you can go to community college and apply for grants and scholarships and still come out paying very little. Work ethic is a very common denominator in every comment but kind of unspoken. A paid house and a minimum wage job is better than having a middle class job and rent. Some don’t get VA benefits. No severance package. No retirement. And are left to fend yes service time has been great and you deserve every benefit that is offered everybody with your time and service does! But this is a new era school is cheap and it’s very non traditional. In the 70s when the American dream was still the dream having A degree then was much more worth it’s weight in gold than it is now! Just saying the military forwarded you the benefit to Education in MOS school and continues with MCIs and programs within while active. They also gave the benefit of housing. But that’s lost when some get out.
(0)
(0)
GySgt Kenneth Pepper
Sgt Jordan Foster - You make a very intelligent and valid point. For some, a lump sum benefit to purchase a home would be more beneficial than money for school. I don't know the statistics, but I would bet that there have been millions of dollars in GI Bill benefits that were never used.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
No jobs are secure anymore. You can get a BS degree cheaper by going to community college to get basics out of the way, then finishing with a university. You probably have car insurance, some type of health insurance and maybe life insurance. A BS can be looked at as job insurance paid for by your goverment for your service to it.
(1)
(0)
Sgt Jordan Foster
That’s exactly my point there’s no telling how the job market is going to be. People graduate everyday and work 10 dollar an hour jobs next to highschool drop outs. The 75k could be a house provided to you by the government to protect you from any job market crash economy crash mental health issues. A degree will help you better your life no doubt about that. But it’s the in between process that leaves you to fend for yourself like you said community college paired with a 4 year college can set you up the same way let alone the grants and scholarships you can receive people sell themselves short and are relying on the GI Bill because that’s the only option and the only thing we know.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
If I had been offered the option of 75k towards a first home or 75k towards education, I would definitely have preferred the financial assistance towards a home. Combine that with the VA loan, and you have a real winner for most people.
As for the education, 75k could give you a full degree, or a partial degree, depending on the school. But this is no guaranty of a job afterwards. And many people, after spending years and 10s of thousands of dollars, are still now working in their chosen area of schooling.
Then again, when I served, the GI Bill wasn't anything like it is now. For education, you maxed out at $8,100 if you contributed the maximum of $2,700 to the Veterans Education Assistance Program.
As a reminder, be very thankful that you have the benefits that you do now. You never know when the House of Representatives and the Senate may decide that you don't deserve those benefits (like they did after Vietnam) and decide to take them away.
As for the education, 75k could give you a full degree, or a partial degree, depending on the school. But this is no guaranty of a job afterwards. And many people, after spending years and 10s of thousands of dollars, are still now working in their chosen area of schooling.
Then again, when I served, the GI Bill wasn't anything like it is now. For education, you maxed out at $8,100 if you contributed the maximum of $2,700 to the Veterans Education Assistance Program.
As a reminder, be very thankful that you have the benefits that you do now. You never know when the House of Representatives and the Senate may decide that you don't deserve those benefits (like they did after Vietnam) and decide to take them away.
(1)
(0)
Sgt Jordan Foster
Good afternoon Sgt. Allen,
I think we are both on the same page with this post, not everybody understands what it is like. a lot of officers have left their stance but this post is designed for veterans. Not retirees like I’ve stated education is important but so is providing for your family. Every Privates dream is to be a SgtMaj but not everybody’s path takes them to that point some get out and continue a path to millions some are fine working under unions and being middle class. People settle reevaluate and continue. But what is the point in having something if your not going to use it? I’m sure there have been people that have waited to pass it to their children and their kid received a scholarship and never used it. We are born being fed that college is the way to go but why are there more ungraduated veterans than graduated?
I think we are both on the same page with this post, not everybody understands what it is like. a lot of officers have left their stance but this post is designed for veterans. Not retirees like I’ve stated education is important but so is providing for your family. Every Privates dream is to be a SgtMaj but not everybody’s path takes them to that point some get out and continue a path to millions some are fine working under unions and being middle class. People settle reevaluate and continue. But what is the point in having something if your not going to use it? I’m sure there have been people that have waited to pass it to their children and their kid received a scholarship and never used it. We are born being fed that college is the way to go but why are there more ungraduated veterans than graduated?
(1)
(0)
Sgt Ed Allen
Sgt Jordan Foster - I concur. My daughter actually regrets the money and time she spent to get her degree. She would have been $30 better off and I wouldn't have paid out about $100k for her to have a degree that is doing her no good.
I believe that more emphasis should be put on trade schools. Trade schools take only 3 months to 2 years, cost a fraction of what a college/university degree does and starts paying you dividends right away.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't go to school, but school is not the end all. I've worked for/with far more educated idiots than I have uneducated idiots. And that includes 1st Lieutenants, Majors, Staff Sergeants, supervisors, managers and consultants.
Impress me with your capabilities, not your sheep skin.
I believe that more emphasis should be put on trade schools. Trade schools take only 3 months to 2 years, cost a fraction of what a college/university degree does and starts paying you dividends right away.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't go to school, but school is not the end all. I've worked for/with far more educated idiots than I have uneducated idiots. And that includes 1st Lieutenants, Majors, Staff Sergeants, supervisors, managers and consultants.
Impress me with your capabilities, not your sheep skin.
(0)
(0)
Sgt Jordan Foster
Sgt Ed Allen No I completely agree! I don’t believe in the GI Bill being able to be used at trade schools the same way it is for a university. I believe that the GI Bill has no actual dollar amount it’s more of a positive, neutral and negative by that meening do you cost the college money? Do you owe the college money? Or are you a tax break being zero? We fall in the zero range to Benefit the military in hopes we can get out get a degree and turn around and get back in to help our country. Some do! Some don’t... but the fact of the matter is there are Homeless,Unable,Unstable Veterans that are in dire need to get out of the situation they are in the military provides education for us and we signed the contract but we need to look around not you but the military world and see this as well...there are county owned homes that would be of no cost. Ran down most likely but let’s look at this as a path to combo with that 75k stipulation is you have to log hours with a licensed contractor stating that you have worked and completed the construction of your house from start to finish. Learning a trade along the way. You can bend this manipulate this in so many directions to benefit it’s unreal. But this will never be a realistic option..
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Hi Jordan, John here, when you say (WE) understand who are your references? Do you mean all veterans in this community understand? I will assume this is what you mean.
Well, not everyone looks at life the same way. It all depends on how we brought up our influences, experiences, wants, desires, ambitions, and many other factors that determine why we make the decisions we take the path that we carry at each point in our life.
I could say and want to believe we all share common thoughts. We all are proud of serving our country. What unites us is our sacrifice and service to our country, but this is not the case with everyone. Each individual has a different reason for what they want out of life. Some will say, man, I joined the military for a paycheck, who knows the reasons. Everyone has different goals and ideas.
My point is the Post 911 G.I., VA Loan, and many other benefits provided to veterans, active duty. Retired service members and their families are there if they choose to use them to improve or assist them in their life for the sacrifices they have made in their life for serving our country for a specific part of our lives.
Many have chosen to use them; many have decided not to use them.
The GI Bill provides service members, their children, or spouses an opportunity to pursue an education. To start a business, get a promotion, start a business. G.I. Bill and V.A. Home Loan is the benefits offered for service to our country. We can use them or not.
Yes, you get BAH, this is to help you live while pursuing your education. The home loan is another benefit where the government guarantees a lender for a certain percentage of the loan; in return, you get lower interest rates, pay less for insurance, and pay less to the bank for processing, etc. In return, a veteran or service member can accomplish the dream of being a homeowner when quite possibly they would not have been able.
If you use the GI Bill, you get an education and which could lead to higher pay in your chosen profession or trade.
If it were not for the V.A. Loan program, many would have never been to afford to purchase a home. If you utilize your V.A. Loan and buy the home of your dreams, you will feel happy, live a more fulfilled, and more productive life.
These two programs, I believe, help veterans, active duty, and their families have high confidence, forward momentum, and energy to accomplish more significant goals and aspirations moving forward in your lives.
On the other hand, a 75K cash payment, in my opinion, will accomplish nothing but problems. 99% of the time, last an average person 30 days to squander. It has no value without personal action to create. It is just a handout and will be gone as quickly as it's handed to you.
What you don't put the effort in to create will soon disappear in the wind. You will be right where you started or worse than the day you received the money.
Nothing worthwhile in life comes to us on a silver platter. What becomes worthwhile are the things you create for yourself. What you create by taking action is what moves each of us forward. The only things in life that are worthwhile are what we create.
Create an Intention. Focus on that Intention long enough, and you will accomplish it.
Put your attention on what you desire. Stay interested in accomplishing it. If your desire to achieve is greater than the distractions in your life, you will do it!
I will end by quoting one of my favorite Presidents.
Former President John F. Kennedy. He asked the world in his speech to do
We did it, and in return, we are provided benefits like the Post 911 GI bill and V.A. Loan Guarantee as a thank our service to the world and humankind.
In his speech, in January of 1961, he also said:
"My fellow citizens of the world ask not what America can do for you but together what we can do for the freedom of man."
I want to believe that all veterans chose to serve to take part in working together in the world for the Freedom of Humankind.
Well, not everyone looks at life the same way. It all depends on how we brought up our influences, experiences, wants, desires, ambitions, and many other factors that determine why we make the decisions we take the path that we carry at each point in our life.
I could say and want to believe we all share common thoughts. We all are proud of serving our country. What unites us is our sacrifice and service to our country, but this is not the case with everyone. Each individual has a different reason for what they want out of life. Some will say, man, I joined the military for a paycheck, who knows the reasons. Everyone has different goals and ideas.
My point is the Post 911 G.I., VA Loan, and many other benefits provided to veterans, active duty. Retired service members and their families are there if they choose to use them to improve or assist them in their life for the sacrifices they have made in their life for serving our country for a specific part of our lives.
Many have chosen to use them; many have decided not to use them.
The GI Bill provides service members, their children, or spouses an opportunity to pursue an education. To start a business, get a promotion, start a business. G.I. Bill and V.A. Home Loan is the benefits offered for service to our country. We can use them or not.
Yes, you get BAH, this is to help you live while pursuing your education. The home loan is another benefit where the government guarantees a lender for a certain percentage of the loan; in return, you get lower interest rates, pay less for insurance, and pay less to the bank for processing, etc. In return, a veteran or service member can accomplish the dream of being a homeowner when quite possibly they would not have been able.
If you use the GI Bill, you get an education and which could lead to higher pay in your chosen profession or trade.
If it were not for the V.A. Loan program, many would have never been to afford to purchase a home. If you utilize your V.A. Loan and buy the home of your dreams, you will feel happy, live a more fulfilled, and more productive life.
These two programs, I believe, help veterans, active duty, and their families have high confidence, forward momentum, and energy to accomplish more significant goals and aspirations moving forward in your lives.
On the other hand, a 75K cash payment, in my opinion, will accomplish nothing but problems. 99% of the time, last an average person 30 days to squander. It has no value without personal action to create. It is just a handout and will be gone as quickly as it's handed to you.
What you don't put the effort in to create will soon disappear in the wind. You will be right where you started or worse than the day you received the money.
Nothing worthwhile in life comes to us on a silver platter. What becomes worthwhile are the things you create for yourself. What you create by taking action is what moves each of us forward. The only things in life that are worthwhile are what we create.
Create an Intention. Focus on that Intention long enough, and you will accomplish it.
Put your attention on what you desire. Stay interested in accomplishing it. If your desire to achieve is greater than the distractions in your life, you will do it!
I will end by quoting one of my favorite Presidents.
Former President John F. Kennedy. He asked the world in his speech to do
We did it, and in return, we are provided benefits like the Post 911 GI bill and V.A. Loan Guarantee as a thank our service to the world and humankind.
In his speech, in January of 1961, he also said:
"My fellow citizens of the world ask not what America can do for you but together what we can do for the freedom of man."
I want to believe that all veterans chose to serve to take part in working together in the world for the Freedom of Humankind.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Hi Jordan, John here,
Well, not everyone looks at life the same way. It all depends on how we were brought up our influences, experiences, wants, desires, ambitions, and many other factors that determine why we make the decisions we make and the path that we choose at each point in our life.
I could say and want to believe we all share common thoughts. We all are proud of serving our country. What unites us is our sacrifice and service to our country, but this is not the case with everyone. Each individual has a different reason for what they want out of life. Some will say, man, I joined the military for a paycheck, who knows the many reasons for serving. But the benefits are there for all who serve no matter the reason.
The G.I. Bill, VA Loan, and other benefits provided to veterans, active duty service members, and their families are there if they choose to use them. These are benefits during and after service to assist in our transition to civilian life. For the sacrifices, we have made in our life serving our country.
Many have chosen to use them; many have decided not to use them. I am grateful we have them.
The GI Bill provides service members, their children, and/or spouses an opportunity to pursue an education get a promotion or start a business. The G.I. Bill and V.A. Home Loan is a few of the benefits offered for service to our country. It has enriched many lives of veterans.
Yes, you get BAH, this is to help you live while pursuing your education.
The home loan is a benefit where the government guarantees a lender for a certain percentage of a home loan; in return, for service to your country you provided lower interest rates, pay less for PIM insurance, and pay less to the bank for processing, etc. In return, a veteran or active service member can accomplish the dream of being a homeowner when possibly they would not have been able without the support.
If you use the GI Bill, you get an education that leads possibly to higher pay, a better career.
The V.A. Loan guarantee program afforded many the opportunity to own a home. Providing a feeling of accomplishment and a more fulfilled, and productive life.
These two programs are great benefits that I am grateful we have as veterans. It has provided veterans, active duty, and their families a higher sense of confidence, forward momentum, and energy to accomplish more worthwhile goals in life.
On the other hand, a 75K cash payment, in my opinion, will accomplish nothing but problems. 99% of the time, last an average person 30 days to squander. It has no value without personal action to create. It is just a handout and will be gone as quickly as money meets the hand.
I believe what you don't put the effort in to create will soon disappear in the wind. You will be right where you started or worse than the day you received the money.
Nothing worthwhile in life comes to us on a silver platter. What becomes worthwhile are the things we create from our own energy and imagination. What you create by taking action it gives you a sense of accomplishment if life.
When you create an Intention and focus on it long enough, you will be surprised I what you can accomplish.
I will end by quoting one of my favorite Presidents.
Former President John F. Kennedy asked the world in his speech to do what every veteran did by serving their country.
We did it, and in return, we are provided benefits like the Post 911 GI bill and V.A. Loan Guarantee as a thank our service to the world and humankind.
In his speech, in January of 1961, he said:
"My fellow citizens of the world ask not what America can do for you but together what we can do for the freedom of man."
I want to believe that all veterans chose to serve to take part in working together in the world for freedom of all humankind.
Well, not everyone looks at life the same way. It all depends on how we were brought up our influences, experiences, wants, desires, ambitions, and many other factors that determine why we make the decisions we make and the path that we choose at each point in our life.
I could say and want to believe we all share common thoughts. We all are proud of serving our country. What unites us is our sacrifice and service to our country, but this is not the case with everyone. Each individual has a different reason for what they want out of life. Some will say, man, I joined the military for a paycheck, who knows the many reasons for serving. But the benefits are there for all who serve no matter the reason.
The G.I. Bill, VA Loan, and other benefits provided to veterans, active duty service members, and their families are there if they choose to use them. These are benefits during and after service to assist in our transition to civilian life. For the sacrifices, we have made in our life serving our country.
Many have chosen to use them; many have decided not to use them. I am grateful we have them.
The GI Bill provides service members, their children, and/or spouses an opportunity to pursue an education get a promotion or start a business. The G.I. Bill and V.A. Home Loan is a few of the benefits offered for service to our country. It has enriched many lives of veterans.
Yes, you get BAH, this is to help you live while pursuing your education.
The home loan is a benefit where the government guarantees a lender for a certain percentage of a home loan; in return, for service to your country you provided lower interest rates, pay less for PIM insurance, and pay less to the bank for processing, etc. In return, a veteran or active service member can accomplish the dream of being a homeowner when possibly they would not have been able without the support.
If you use the GI Bill, you get an education that leads possibly to higher pay, a better career.
The V.A. Loan guarantee program afforded many the opportunity to own a home. Providing a feeling of accomplishment and a more fulfilled, and productive life.
These two programs are great benefits that I am grateful we have as veterans. It has provided veterans, active duty, and their families a higher sense of confidence, forward momentum, and energy to accomplish more worthwhile goals in life.
On the other hand, a 75K cash payment, in my opinion, will accomplish nothing but problems. 99% of the time, last an average person 30 days to squander. It has no value without personal action to create. It is just a handout and will be gone as quickly as money meets the hand.
I believe what you don't put the effort in to create will soon disappear in the wind. You will be right where you started or worse than the day you received the money.
Nothing worthwhile in life comes to us on a silver platter. What becomes worthwhile are the things we create from our own energy and imagination. What you create by taking action it gives you a sense of accomplishment if life.
When you create an Intention and focus on it long enough, you will be surprised I what you can accomplish.
I will end by quoting one of my favorite Presidents.
Former President John F. Kennedy asked the world in his speech to do what every veteran did by serving their country.
We did it, and in return, we are provided benefits like the Post 911 GI bill and V.A. Loan Guarantee as a thank our service to the world and humankind.
In his speech, in January of 1961, he said:
"My fellow citizens of the world ask not what America can do for you but together what we can do for the freedom of man."
I want to believe that all veterans chose to serve to take part in working together in the world for freedom of all humankind.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
A house doesn't put food on the table and clothes on your back. 75K honestly won't go very far, in most places. A degree (used wisely) can provide all that and then some. Short term vs Long term
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google