How To Extend My 911 Educational Benefits

[yelloownumber5]

I retired Dec 2003, I think we have 15 or 17 years to use the post 911 educational benefits.

How do I get an extension for this, is there a standard time period they will extend them from?

I have seen a neurophysi in the past but do you need some kind of medical documentation.

I do not think I will be able to use them and would like to pass them on to our young daughter.

Thanks,

Y#5

[justrluk]

I'm using the on-line approach. The VA pays the school direct for tuition and I receive monthly housing allowance and periodic book allowance. You also qualify for a student loan if you chose to go this direction - if you need more cash to get through the month that what the VA pays you. So far, the school has been great about submitting requests for payment. The VA usually pays the school about half way through the quarter. The school is also willing to wait for this payment and gives me a military discount. I agree: don't waste the money or the opportunity new education might provide.

[free_spirit_etc]

I was thinking as long as you take one class on-campus you qualify for housing allowance. Many schools are expanding their online classes. So you might be able to do a combination of online and campus based classes.

[aggie54]

You are right free_spirit_etc. That is so true, you must have at least one class on campus, and the rest on line.

Good info.

Aggie

[free_spirit_etc]

Most community colleges have a large selection of online classes. Some Universities do - but I notice them more at community colleges. Depending on the field of study -- some fields have MANY online classes; especially computer related fields. But there are also a lot general ed classes offered online. Most of the online classes have a lot of reading assignments, online discussions, and weekly homework.

[free_spirit_etc]

A couple good resources are http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ <<< Try to avoid ones with LOTS of complaints.

https://www.myedu.com/course-grades/ << You can check out any course you are thinking of taking and see what professors teach the course and what their grade ranges are. I wouldn't necessarily recommend looking for instructors that give a huge number of A's -- but you definitely want to notice instructors who have a high withdrawal rate. Some classes, by the nature of the class have somewhat high withdrawal rates. But if you see a class where most instructors have a 5 - 10% withdrawal rate - and one instructor has a 40 - 50% withdrawal rate - you might want to rethink taking that class with that instructor.

[free_spirit_etc]

Another thing to keep in mind on the online classes is that certain classes are offered online and certain classes are not. So if your intent is to take as many online classes as possible - try to avoid letting the counselors enroll you in an on campus section of a class that is also offered online... even if it means you will need to take the class a different semester.

Also check out the college's policy on online classes. Some colleges will only apply a certain percentage of online classes toward your degree. I think many of them are getting away from that now, since online teaching is growing. But some still have policies that only X number of credits from online classes will count toward your degree.