Posted on Aug 18, 2020
VetXL: Back to School – live Q&A with VA and community partners. What are your questions?
142K
488
340
45
45
0
Join us on RallyPoint, August 27th from 3-4PM EST, for a live Q&A focusing on Back to School resources, GI Bill, learning options, and virtual tools. You can ask questions in writing now or during the live event. Please note that there is no audio or visual component to this Q&A event.
You can ask questions, on this page, to the following people:
LTC Tony Davis, Veterans Experience Office - Veterans, Family and Community Engagement
MCPO Eric Faulkner, Veterans Experience Office - Veterans, Family and Community Engagement
Charmain Bogue, Director, Department of Veterans Affairs - VBA Education Service
SGT Lauren Augustine, VP of Government Affairs - Student Veterans of America
CPL David Muir, SVP Veteran Staffing Network - Easterseals
LCDR Bill Ashton, Acting Division Director, Strategic Initiatives and Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison - Department of Agriculture
CPT Christine Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer - Service to School
Check out resources from Department of Education, Military Child Education Coalition, YMCA, and Cohen Veteran Network!
http://rly.pt/EdGov
Militarychild.org - https://rly.pt/2EsmUOR
YMCA - http://rly.pt/YMCA
http://rly.pt/MGHMilitaryFamilies
Veterans Experience Office-
https://rly.pt/VEO
To enable VA to be the leading customer service organization in government so that Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors Choose VA. VEO implements solutions based on Veteran-centered designs and industry best practices while aligning VA services with the secretary’s priorities. The Veterans, Family and Community Engagement Directorate supports Veterans through coordination and integration of local VA and non-VA services Veteran Friendly Communities Initiative working with the Community Veterans Engagement Board (CVEB) and leading federal advisory committees.
VBA Education Service-
http://rly.pt/EducationService
Administers VA's education programs that provide education and training benefits to eligible Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Service members, Veterans, and dependents.
Student Veterans of America-
http://rly.pt/SVA
Since 2008, Student Veterans of America has worked to inspire tomorrow’s leaders. With a community network of more than 1,500 on-campus chapters, SVA is committed to transforming the current skills and experience of student veterans. Every day, these dedicated chapter leaders work to ensure that yesterday’s warriors have the resources at hand to succeed in their academic journey and beyond.
USDA-
USDA wants to ensure that veterans looking to return home, or start a new career on a farm or in a rural community have the tools and opportunities you need to succeed.
USDA’s veterans website serves as a one-stop navigator for veterans looking to learn more about employment, education, and entrepreneurship on or beyond the farm.
Easterseals -
Easterseals makes profound, positive differences in the daily lives of people of all ages with disabilities, special needs, military backgrounds and their families. Easterseals Veteran Staffing Network (VSN) connects veterans and military spouses to employers using a veteran staffing agency model. We work with employers to fill temp-to perm, contract, and direct-hire positions.
Service to School-
Service to School (S2S) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides free college and grad school application counseling to military veterans and servicemembers.
Our goal is to help veterans gain admission to the best college for them while empowering each veteran to make informed decisions about their education.
RallyPoint Answers and Discussion Conduct: https://rly.pt/33ySsg0
You can ask questions, on this page, to the following people:
LTC Tony Davis, Veterans Experience Office - Veterans, Family and Community Engagement
MCPO Eric Faulkner, Veterans Experience Office - Veterans, Family and Community Engagement
Charmain Bogue, Director, Department of Veterans Affairs - VBA Education Service
SGT Lauren Augustine, VP of Government Affairs - Student Veterans of America
CPL David Muir, SVP Veteran Staffing Network - Easterseals
LCDR Bill Ashton, Acting Division Director, Strategic Initiatives and Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison - Department of Agriculture
CPT Christine Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer - Service to School
Check out resources from Department of Education, Military Child Education Coalition, YMCA, and Cohen Veteran Network!
http://rly.pt/EdGov
Militarychild.org - https://rly.pt/2EsmUOR
YMCA - http://rly.pt/YMCA
http://rly.pt/MGHMilitaryFamilies
Veterans Experience Office-
https://rly.pt/VEO
To enable VA to be the leading customer service organization in government so that Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors Choose VA. VEO implements solutions based on Veteran-centered designs and industry best practices while aligning VA services with the secretary’s priorities. The Veterans, Family and Community Engagement Directorate supports Veterans through coordination and integration of local VA and non-VA services Veteran Friendly Communities Initiative working with the Community Veterans Engagement Board (CVEB) and leading federal advisory committees.
VBA Education Service-
http://rly.pt/EducationService
Administers VA's education programs that provide education and training benefits to eligible Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Service members, Veterans, and dependents.
Student Veterans of America-
http://rly.pt/SVA
Since 2008, Student Veterans of America has worked to inspire tomorrow’s leaders. With a community network of more than 1,500 on-campus chapters, SVA is committed to transforming the current skills and experience of student veterans. Every day, these dedicated chapter leaders work to ensure that yesterday’s warriors have the resources at hand to succeed in their academic journey and beyond.
USDA-
USDA wants to ensure that veterans looking to return home, or start a new career on a farm or in a rural community have the tools and opportunities you need to succeed.
USDA’s veterans website serves as a one-stop navigator for veterans looking to learn more about employment, education, and entrepreneurship on or beyond the farm.
Easterseals -
Easterseals makes profound, positive differences in the daily lives of people of all ages with disabilities, special needs, military backgrounds and their families. Easterseals Veteran Staffing Network (VSN) connects veterans and military spouses to employers using a veteran staffing agency model. We work with employers to fill temp-to perm, contract, and direct-hire positions.
Service to School-
Service to School (S2S) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides free college and grad school application counseling to military veterans and servicemembers.
Our goal is to help veterans gain admission to the best college for them while empowering each veteran to make informed decisions about their education.
RallyPoint Answers and Discussion Conduct: https://rly.pt/33ySsg0
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Student Veterans of America (SVA)
Education
Bachelors Degree
GI Bill
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Student Veterans of America (SVA) Education Bachelors Degree GI Bill
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 130
2
2
0
I have an under honorable conditions discharge which prevented me from using the GI Bill. Is there any thing that would allow me to now be able to use it or upgrade the discharge?
(2)
(0)
MSG Alan Purdie
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
(1)
(0)
Charmain Bogue
Thank you for this question. Please check with the Department of Defense regarding the process to upgrade your discharge. VA does not determine service eligibility.
(1)
(0)
PFC Marland Chang
How To Apply For A Discharge Upgrade
Want to apply for a military discharge upgrade or correction? Get step-by-step instructions depending on your specific situation. If your discharge is upgraded, you'll be eligible for VA benefits you earned while serving.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
I was active Army till 1987 them did reserves Army and AF for another 7 or 8 years do I still have GI Bill?
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
My school has 11 week semesters, when and how much of a book stipend will I receive?
(2)
(0)
MSG Alan Purdie
Book/Supply stipend is paid out at $41.67 per credit hours enrolled. If the paperwork is completed by both the school and VA prior to the start of classes, it usually is paid to the student a few days prior.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
Will I not be eligible for E5 BAH if my school (KY) is online except the internship portion in my local area (CO)?
(2)
(0)
MSG Alan Purdie
If you are enrolled in online programs, you could still be eligible for the Monthly Housing Allowance paid to an online only student - approx. $916.50 per month if you attend full time - prorated for less that full time and prorated for partial school months.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
I was honorably discharged in 2006, I served in both Gulf Wars, and when I was just charged for the final time I was never told about a post 911 education benefit that is available to me. I've tried calling numerous places to find out if it is possible to transfer this benefit to my son who is just starting his first year in college. In 2006 my son was four years old and I had no idea he would even want to attend college plus the benefit was not even a thing yet. And now I'm being told after just finding out that the post 911 benefit is available for me to use, but I cannot transfer it, because I was supposed to transfer it before I got out. How was I supposed to transfer something that was not in existence in 2006? Someone please help so that my son can benefit from my service
(2)
(0)
Charmain Bogue
Transfer of Entitlement must occur while the member is still on active duty. The program didn't become law until August 2009 and was point forward to transfer benefits to family members.
(1)
(0)
PO2 Kevin Griese
Charmain Bogue that's my problem,,, I just found out that I have this benefit early this year, in August 2009, I was already 3 1/2 years discharged, and unaware of the post 9/11 education benefit ,, so can I transfer it to my son
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
I teach Industrial Electrical Maintenance and Mechatronics at a Tennessee College of Applied Technology. I would love to see more veterans in my class. There is a dire shortage of skilled maintenance technicians in the industry.
(2)
(0)
CPL David Muir
Correct, there is a HUGE need for skilled maintenance techs in the workforce and this is a great career opportunity!
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
I am currently enrolled as 1st year college student here in the Philippine (foreign school) and its my first time to use the GI Bill. just wanna ask how long would it take the process for the VA to send to my school my tuition fee and my MHA. I pay out of my pocket for the school downpayment. And I am a dependent of a veteran, will my MHA fall under VA Rate or Dod Rate? Thanks in advance.
(2)
(0)
MSG Alan Purdie
Since you started classes after 1 January 2018, you are paid the VA rate - which is 95% of the DoD BAH rate.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
I quit within 9 hours of my Master's in Pubic Adm, why I just decided to do it one day. No regrets.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Will the requirement for in classroom hours be waived if we continue with this COVID-19 issue? Will it become a choice?
(2)
(0)
MSG Alan Purdie
Have to wait to see if Congress extends the law - right now the law applies to all classes that start prior to 21 Dec 20.
(1)
(0)
Charmain Bogue
Great question! We are working hard to keep you all updated on the COVID-19 in the space of Education as we work with our congressional partners. Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and review our FAQs https://www.va.gov/coronavirus-veteran-frequently-asked-questions/ for updates.
Coronavirus FAQs: What Veterans need to know | Veterans Affairs
Get answers to VA related Veteran questions about the coronavirus, your VA health appointments, health facility questions, and what Veterans and family members need to know.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
Thanks for your time...I have 2 questions: 1) With many veterans being required to take courses online this Fall, is there any new information on how this will impact tuition costs or BAH?
2) Do you think traditional universities should keep the same levels of tuition if students aren't getting the full college experience?
2) Do you think traditional universities should keep the same levels of tuition if students aren't getting the full college experience?
(2)
(0)
MSG Alan Purdie
1) There will be zero impact on tuition payments - VA will pay the same as every other year. For MHA, you have to sign up for classes that were originally scheduled to be in a classroom and then converted to online to be paid the in-classroom MHA.
2) Tuition pays for education not the "college experience". The Professors and school staff still have to be paid - schools had to increase their hardware/software capabilities to move classes online - lots more involved in what the tuition pays for.
2) Tuition pays for education not the "college experience". The Professors and school staff still have to be paid - schools had to increase their hardware/software capabilities to move classes online - lots more involved in what the tuition pays for.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google