Posted: 8/24/2008 8:09:49 PM EDT
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long story short: i enlisted with college far from my mind. now i wanna go. i tried talking to a VA rep at my communit college, but he gave me some run around about being qualified for it. the VA gave me the run around also about education benefits. Who do i need to talk to, what docs do i need, and how many options for benefits do i have? |
You're eligible for the REAP-Chapter 1607 benefits. 60% of the Active Duty GI Bill if you were deployed for 1yr. www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH1607/REAP_FAQ.htm And you dont have to pay into the new GI bill. You'll get 60% of the GI bill and 60% of the BAH plus the $1000 book stipend. eta: Your VA rep sounds pretty shitty to me. I would recommend going above his/her head to their boss about this. Its their job to be informed about what VA programs that are available and what you (in general) are entitled to. Can you log into the National Guard Education Benefits page? You just log in with your AKO info.... If you can log in, it will have a page saying that you are certified to receive REAP benefits from having been deployed to a year. I was deployed in OIF 4-6, 2005-2006 like you and it shows up on my page. Nat'l Guard education benefits |
from the benefits page: According to our records, we have determined that you are not eligible to receive Tuition Assistance. i deployed in the guard, but transferred to the reserves when i came back. would that change anything? |
I dont see why it would change anything. Even if you cant get the REAP/Ch 1607 program, you should still be able to get the regular GI Bill. I would be emailing or calling your State Education Officer asap or calling your local VA regional district office el pronticito. eta: The GI Bill is not the same as Tuition Assistance. Tuition Assistance is just that, pays for tuition. The GI Bill is a separate thing that pays you "XXXX" a month just for being in school. To get TA, you still have to be in active drilling status(are you?). |
The new GI Bill was passed, they are just having trouble with the implementation of it. It goes into effect Aug 1, 2009 which royally fucks me over because I'm done in May.  Here's the brochure for the new GI Bill in .pdf: www.newgibill.org/VA_Facts_New_GI_Bill_Jul_3_2008.pdf As well, Top 20 questions FAQ: education.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/20-top-faqs-for-new-gi-bill?ESRC=education.nl |
Its tentative in that the VA is hoping to get all their ducks in a row. The GI bill has passed and its coming, its just a matter of when its implemented. |
Did you serve post 9/11? Old GI Bill (chp 30) had an expiration date of ten years from discharge of active duty. New GI Bill (chp 33) will have an expiration date of fifteen years from discharge from active duty. If you were post-GWOT and elect to roll over to the new benefit, you get a few more years. It will take effect Aug 09, but they just haven't figured out how they're going to do it yet. Don't let the school rep say you don't qualify right off the bat. That's not their job, its Muskogee's. Submit the paperwork for chp. 1607 (reservists called to active duty) benefits and get the official award/denial letter from the VA. |
I actually got about another year of benefits tacked on if I wanted. I should have only 10mos left under the "4yrs use of the GI Bill" but the VA has seen fit to give me 24mos. Too bad I cant use it.  
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UPDATE: went to see the Voc Rehab guys (Ch 31), took some tests, and theyre offering me whatever i wanna do for 48mos. college, certifications, all that plus help finding a job afterwards. but damn this is gonna be a lot of work. also found out that apparently i have absolutely no GI bill (ch 30) bennies. |