New Post 9-11 Gi Bill

[jessie0054]

Hi, My son who is currently 70% and attending College under the Voc Reh through the VA. He received a letter this morning saying he is eligible now for the New Post 9-11 GI bill. I'm confused as he is. Will he still be receiving Voc Reh and the GI bill or will the GI bill end. What's better of the 2 ?

Thanks Jessie

[Colt]

I'm not positive on everything since I'm not familiar with the voc rehab, however, I'll provide what information I can.

From my understanding he can choose one or the other, it's usually suggested to sign up for both and choose the one that is better.

I can comment a little more on the 9/11 since it is what I am going for.

-Your full tuition & fees directly to the school for all public school in-state students. For those attending private or foreign schools tuition & fees are capped at $17,500 per academic year.

-Annually you get one stipend for books and supplies ($1000).

-Monthly you get a stipend for living, monthly housing allowance (MAH) (E-5 + dependents BAH rating by zip code); with distance learning the housing allowance payable is equal to ½ the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents starting in October 2011($673.50 monthly). https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bahCalc.cfm

-Provides up to 36 months of benefits.

Of course all the above is based on enrollment.

Changes to 9/11 in August 2011 and October 2011

Effective August 1, 2011

• For Veterans and their transferees - simplifies the tuition and fee rates for those attending a public school and creates a national maximum for those enrolled in a private or foreign school
  • Pays all public school in-state tuition and fees;
  • Private and foreign school costs are capped at $17,500 annually;
  • The Yellow Ribbon Program still exists for out-of-state fees and costs above the cap.
  • For Active Duty Members and their transferees - creates a national rate for those active duty members enrolled in a private or foreign school pursuing a degree
    • Pays all public school in-state tuition and fees;
    • Private and foreign school costs are capped at $17,500 annually
    • Allows VA to pay MGIB (chapter 30) and MGIB-SR (chapter 1606) ‘kickers’, or college fund payments, on a monthly basis instead of a lump sum at the beginning of the term
    • Prorates housing allowance by the student’s rate of pursuit (rounded to the nearest tenth)
      • A student training at a rate of pursuit of 75% would receive 80% of the BAH rate
      • Break or interval pay is no longer payable under any VA education benefit program unless under an Executive Order of the President or due to an emergency, such as a natural disaster or strike.
        • This means that when your semester ends (e.g. December 15th), your housing allowance is paid for the first 15 days of December only and begins again when your next semester begins (e.g. January 10th) and is paid for the remaining days of January.
        • Students using other VA education programs are included in this change. Monthly benefits will be pro-rated in the same manner.
        • Entitlement that previously would have been used for break pay will be available for use during a future enrollment.
        • Allows reimbursement for more than one “license or certification” test (previously only one test was allowed).
          • However, entitlement is now charged

        [*]Allows reimbursement of fees paid to take national exams used for admission to an institution of higher learning (e.g., SAT, ACT, GMAT, LSAT)[*]Allows those who are eligible for both Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (chapter 31) benefits and Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) benefits to choose the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s monthly housing allowance instead of the chapter 31 subsistence allowance.[*]NOAA and PHS personnel are now eligible to transfer their entitlement to eligible dependents

        Effective October 1, 2011

        [*]Allows students to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for -

        [*]Non-college degree (NCD) programs: Non-college degree (NCD) programs offered at non-degree granting schools: Pays the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees or $17,500, whichever is less. Also pays up to $83 per month for books and supplies.[*]On-the-job and apprenticeship training: Pays a monthly benefit amount prorated based on time in program and up to $83 per month for books and supplies.[*]Flight programs: Per academic year, pays the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the school or $10,000, whichever is less.[*]Correspondence training: Per academic year, pays the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the school or $8,500, whichever is less.

        [*]Housing allowance is now payable to students (other than those on active duty) enrolled solely in distance learning. The housing allowance payable is equal to ½ the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents.

        [*]The full-time rate for an individual eligible at the 100% eligibility tier would be $673.50 for 2011.

        [*]Allows students on active duty to receive a books and supplies stipend