Which GI Bill Is Best for You?

2019-06-26T15:58:05-04:00

You proudly served your country, but what’s next? Now it’s time to put the GI Bill to use and get the education you’ve earned. The Department of Veterans Affairs has several programs that can cover the cost of education and training – for both active military and veterans – take care of housing fees and, in some cases, allow you to transfer education benefits to your family.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jun 26 at 2019 3:59 PM

2019-06-26T15:59:36-04:00

@ Veterans Affairs(VA): Thank you for posting this; from a Veteran.

Response by PO2 Ray Carter made Jun 26 at 2019 9:02 PM

2019-06-26T21:02:01-04:00

I went back to graduate school at Arizona State when I got out in 1973

Response by Sgt Edward Mlotkiewicz made Jun 26 at 2019 9:06 PM

2019-06-26T21:06:52-04:00

I went and got a B.S. in Engineering from my benefits from the G.I. bill from the Vietnam period.

Response by Sgt Gordon Milam made Jun 26 at 2019 10:14 PM

2019-06-26T22:14:12-04:00

I got out, got married, got a job, supported my family, no time for school. Wasted Money!!!

Response by LCDR Bernard Feldman made Jun 26 at 2019 10:20 PM

2019-06-26T22:20:05-04:00

I was a Naval Medical Officer. After discharge I used the G.I. Bill to go back to medical training to sub-specialize.

Response by SSgt Richard Clancy made Jun 26 at 2019 10:56 PM

2019-06-26T22:56:08-04:00

I was a Vietnam era veteran of the USAF; served ten-years and obtained BS and MS degrees fro the University of Colorado in a medical field. Worked part-time full-time student on the GI Bill and had a young child at the time. Retired from my work field and am now 80% service connected DAV. Can't complain and I am only able to hear now because of good audiologists at the Denver VA hospital. I m grateful to both see and walk.

Response by MCPO Patrick Sutton made Jun 26 at 2019 11:02 PM

2019-06-26T23:02:32-04:00

I retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in 1989. I attended college on the Viet Nam era G.I. bill as well as the Montgomery plan. The changeover period (funding) took over six months during which those in my boat received no funds. I lost my home, but I persevered in my education. I became a Registered Nurse and served Oncology and Hospice Patients for 30 years.

Response by LTC Carlene Salazar made Jun 26 at 2019 11:22 PM

2019-06-26T23:22:36-04:00

The old Vietnam Era GI Bill

Response by SCPO Paul Sayles made Jun 26 at 2019 11:46 PM

2019-06-26T23:46:04-04:00

I received a BA with Vietnam era benefits. I worked and went to school part time so it took longer. I got it when I was 38.

Response by SN Robbie Malone made Jun 27 at 2019 12:16 AM

2019-06-27T00:16:00-04:00

I signed up for the Vet tech, education bill and still don't understand that if they approved me or not. The letter wasn't helpfully at all.

Response by Sgt Virginia Anson made Jun 27 at 2019 12:31 AM

2019-06-27T00:31:38-04:00

The GI Bill is a sore subject with me. Nam Era vets had 10 years to use ours or we’d lose it. As with maybe other women vets, by the time all of my children were in school and I could go back to college, I had only one year left. I was told that I could ask for an extension, but that was denied. So I lost 9/10 of my GI Bill.
I earned this by serving my country. Yet nearly all of it was taken from me because I was a diligent mother who took total responsibility for raising her children. I think we are owed what we earned.
Vets and military personnel are so lucky today.

Response by SSG Larry Thomas made Jun 27 at 2019 1:43 AM

2019-06-27T01:43:51-04:00

Vietnam period 63 to 70 as a Army Radar SSGT and instructor and used the GI Bill to get a BS in electrical engineering in 4 years. Graduated in 1974 with a great professional career.

Response by PO1 Donald Peer made Jun 27 at 2019 2:21 AM

2019-06-27T02:21:31-04:00

Is my wife eligible to get her masters degree?

Response by SPC Tracy Malone made Jun 27 at 2019 5:57 AM

2019-06-27T05:57:27-04:00

I would like to know if there is any education assistance available to me as I am currently in school.

Response by MSgt Robert Flores made Jun 27 at 2019 7:35 AM

2019-06-27T07:35:50-04:00

Just finished my Master’s Degree last month, thanks to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Forever grateful. Thank you!!

Response by Cpl Brian Moore made Jun 27 at 2019 7:44 AM

2019-06-27T07:44:34-04:00

When I was in, The GI bill was a joke. I was enrolled in VEEP........At 19 I wasn't thinking about collage. So I got out with no education benefits. I was in 81-85...Beirut twice and Grenada

Response by Cpl Roger Reisman made Jun 27 at 2019 8:54 AM

2019-06-27T08:54:44-04:00

How long does the benefit for home purchase good for. I was discharged in 1964.

Response by 1stSgt Bull P made Jun 27 at 2019 9:10 AM

2019-06-27T09:10:46-04:00

Myself and about 40k other veterans were unfortunate to fall under VEAP. This was a filler between Vietnam era GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill. The catch 22 was if you don’t convert during your first year to
Montgomery, even though this was announced after the period had lapsed, you lost everything. They changed the rules and we were left out. 20 active duty years including combat time and zero educational benefits to show for it. No concern in congress to take care of us veterans like their is for todays veterans. The benefits today are life changing for not just the vet but the family as well. This would have been huge for myself and family. Texas tried to pick up the slack for us VEAP vets but offered tuition for the vet only, no other stipends and no family.

Response by SCPO Steven Pierce made Jun 27 at 2019 9:39 AM

2019-06-27T09:39:34-04:00

When I joined the Navy in 1984, VEAP was the current GI Bill. Frankly, it was an insult to those of us who served at the time. Fortunately, I was on active duty for 9/11 and qualified for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which was light-years beyond VEAP (invest $2,100 and get $8,100 in education benefits). Because I retired before August 2009, I was unable to gift my GI Bill to my family, so I used it to complete my doctorate. The Post-9/11 GI Bill paid 100% of the cost of tuition and books plus a stipend to boot. Essentially, my doctorate did not cost me a penny out of pocket. Whoever crafted and passed the Post-9/11 GI has my deepest thanks and I hope those who served and serve during its era take advantage of this amazing benefit.

Response by MSgt Brian Mchugh made Jun 27 at 2019 11:58 AM

2019-06-27T11:58:35-04:00

I used Post 9/11 Chapter 33 to pay for two certification boot camps at Training Camp and two passing certification tests. Positive experience!

Response by SPC Donald Leclair made Jun 27 at 2019 3:43 PM

2019-06-27T15:43:06-04:00

This is a sore subject for me as well. I was given misinformation on more than one occasion. When I first signed up I went reserve because I was given misinformation. When I decided to go full active I was given misinformation. When I tried to help my homeless teenage brother financially I was given misinformation. So basically not only did I get zero help with my education after serving a total of four years in the Army, I was also a financial disaster when I got out because of the money I sent to my brother for years.

Response by SGT Rick Weishaupt made Jun 27 at 2019 5:41 PM

2019-06-27T17:41:06-04:00

School was not a thought when I got out of the military and by the time was I started to research higher education only to find out I didn't have any benefits.
Seems all veterans should be on the same type benefits, free college for all veterans upto a bachelor's or master's degree, but not student as a profession.
Politicians lie.

Response by SSG Gary Flinchum made Jun 27 at 2019 6:01 PM

2019-06-27T18:01:18-04:00

I used about half of my Viet-Nam era GI Bill, after that family took precedent and I lost the other half. I have been grateful , but always felt cheated for being a responsible parent. Worked 3 jobs to support a young family. benefits should not expire, but always be available.

Response by LTC Edward Fullmer made Jun 28 at 2019 12:57 AM

2019-06-28T00:57:47-04:00

NONE, RETIRED IN 2008 FROM ARMY RESERVES AFTER 29 YRS. WHAT IS AVAILABLE IF ANY. I HAD TWO COMBAT TOURS IN IRAQ.
ED

Response by SN Robbie Malone made Jun 28 at 2019 12:37 PM

2019-06-28T12:37:37-04:00

I just don't understand about all the GI bill that are coming out and all the condition you have to meet. I think GI bill should be continuous for all military persons. Because law changes we elected new leaders. technology has changed for one day to the next The military wants us to be prepare in and out of season but, how can we, if we don't have the tools, resources to do that.not only for ourselves, family, friends etc. We sacrifice our lives, families and friends do the same when we come home or we are out to protect our country, values, morels and way of life. I'm on my soap box again!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2019 2:12 PM

2019-06-28T14:12:13-04:00

In the President Trump - VA Secy Wilkie Mission Act conference call on TUE, 25 JUL, President Trump said: ~A new bill I signed allows all veterans to use VA education benefits at any point in their lives.~ That was obviously false, and Secy Wilkie obviously dared not to correct him.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2019 7:23 PM

2019-06-28T19:23:51-04:00

I was a Vietnam Era Veteran and used part of my GI Bill while on Active Duty. Because of that, my ten years started while I was still active. When I separated, I was told I only have a few years left.

I was called back to active duty, the ten year clock did not stop. The end of the program was approaching and I had not used all ten years.

I reenlisted and then extended to qualify for the New GI Bill. But, the Cost Guard would not confirm I was under the New GI Bill, saying the discharge papers satisfied every thing they were required to do.

For the Coast Guard, it was a VA program, and it was up to the VA to determine eligibility for the New GI Bill. So, I did not get the New GI Bill! This I blame on the lack of proper communication between the VA and USCG.

USCG 1976-1980
USCGR 1980
USCG 1980-1987
USARNG 1987-1989
USCGR 1989-2016
Active duty for Reservist
1990-1991, 1997-2003 Responded to the Pentagon on 11/09/2001

Response by SP5 Dennis Simonson made Jun 28 at 2019 11:51 PM

2019-06-28T23:51:37-04:00

Viet Vet seeking info on COE for home construction or purchase.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 29 at 2019 2:51 PM

2019-06-29T14:51:12-04:00

What is the story behind 16+ active duty members from getting the benefit of sharing the GI Bill?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2019 12:33 PM

2019-07-03T12:33:41-04:00

I was able to complete a Masters degree form the University of Washington. The Post 9/11 is a great benefit which provided financial stability into my household while I completed my degree. I am a married father of two. Great experience and resource!

Response by SFC Kevin Strakal made Jul 30 at 2019 1:34 PM

2019-07-30T13:34:31-04:00

I'm a little confused on the BAH when it comes to receiving it as an online student. Does anyone else think it's discriminatory for online students to recieve only a partial compared to those who are a resident at the school? I pay bills, own a home and am 100% completely on my own. A residential student typically has packages built into their school program such as food cost, etc. Through several questions asked to the VA, they refuse to actually answer the question. All they do is provide me with the CFR and tell me to figure it out myself. They were gracious enough to send me what each category is paid (studying overseas, residential pay, online school pay), but they simply refuse to tell me the actual justification. If anybody knows, please send it on. I plan on putting together a complaint to both the VA and to Congress asking them why online students are singled out. Thanks.