Photo By Lance Cpl. Jerrick J. Griffin | Linda M. Hoffman, an education technician with the Joint Education Center, 55, from...... read more read more
Subscribe
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — For many eligible service members, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, effective on Aug. 1, is a better solution than other education benefit programs, such as the Montgomery G.I. Bill - Active Duty, Montgomery G.I. Bill - Selected Reserve and the Reserve Education Assistance Program, but this decision depends on the type of education or training they plan to take and the amount of benefits received under each program.
The new bill is for service members who have served after Sept. 10, 2001.
"Switching to the new G.I. Bill can be the best solution, but it depends on what you want to do," said Pat Jeffress, Branch Manager of the Joint Center, from Riverside, Calif.
Types of training that can be taken under current G.I. benefits include tuition for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, certificate programs, on-the-job training, apprenticeship training, flight training, and non-college degree courses. The Post-9/11 GI Bill can only be used for programs taken at a college or university.
Under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, service members may receive a tuition and fees payment that is paid directly to the school and does not cost more than the tuition and fees at the most expensive state institution of higher learning, and a monthly housing allowance based on the basic allowance for housing for an E-5 with dependents. This amount is based on the ZIP code of the location of the school service members are attending.
Service members would also receive a stipend of $1,000, paid proportionately on enrollment.
Under all of the other GI Bills, service members receive a monthly payment at a rate set by Congress that does not vary based on your expenses.
The new bill allows eligible service members to transfer all or part of their educational benefits to their spouses or children.
Service members are eligible for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill if they previously declined the Montgomery GI Bill, also known as Chapter 30 benefits, and/or are eligible to receive Chapter 30 benefits and are making the minimum $1,200 contribution.
"Things to look out for with the new GI Bill are that it can't be accessed while in service," Jeffress said. "It can, however, be used 15 years after you are out of service. The Montgomery GI Bill can be used 10 years after you leave."
Some things to consider when electing the Post-9/11 GI Bill is that if a service member is not charged tuition at their school and is enrolled at exactly half time training, that member isn't able to receive a tuition and fees payment or the monthly housing allowance under the new GI Bill.
"Other things to watch out for with this new bill are that it is irrevocable if they switch from the Montgomery GI Bill to the Post-9/11 GI Bill," said Linda M. Hoffman, Education Technician with the JEC. "If they stay in California, the bill only pays tuition fees, not tuition, for schools here."
| Date Taken: | 07.22.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 07.22.2009 12:37 |
| Story ID: | 36663 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 199 |
| Downloads: | 175 |
This work, Post 9/11 GI Bill: What you should know before you decide, by LCpl Jerrick J. Griffin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
