To all my active duty and veteran friends who are looking to one day use the Post 9/11 GI. This post will detail things I've learned about the process. Hopefully to save you some headaches.

#1 The process takes a long time the first time you apply. So do it earlier than you think. 2 months at the minimum. Due to a mess up with my emails, I didn't know I had been accepted until a month prior to the start of school. Ouch. Anyways, You have to file online, if you need help with this process I'll walk you through it.

#2: Once the VA receives your application, it can take up to 30 days for them to approve it. At which point they will send you a letter. Which you must turn into the school you have enrolled in. You can also verify your approval online, and there is a round about method you can use to get them to email you your certificate of approval, to expedite the process slightly. It saves you the mail wait.

#3 you then have to turn in that letter to your school certifying official. It's at this point they will ask you if you want to file for the yellow ribbon program (if your school costs more than the GI bill will pay for, and they participate in the program, and you are eligible and they have a slot. Do this. It's a no brainer. They can cover the rest of your tuition depending on their policy)

#4 at this point, the school will send that information back to the VA. If this is your first time using the system, it can take up to two weeks. However, if you are experiencing financial hardship, there is a way to expedite your benefits. They are supposed to process it immediately and you should receive benefits in less than 5 days.

I'll let you know on Tuesday if that works lol.

Thanks for coming to my tedtalk. Please feel free to reach out to me if y'all ever need anything. Also, VA please send me my money. I need to buy deodorant.