In many cases, the new GI bill, called the 2008 Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, offers a better deal than its predecessor, the Montgomery GI bill.
But not always.
Post 9/11 vets attending school full time who need tuition and housing assistance will probably reap richer benefits under the new bill, especially if the school they attend provides extra financial assistance under the Veterans Affairs Department's Yellow Ribbon program.
But post 9/11 vets still on active duty attending school at night or taking correspondence courses at non-Yellow Ribbon program schools could make out better under the Montgomery bill.
That's what an Iraq war vet buddy of mine still on active duty discovered to his horror this week. He signed up for the post 9/11 bill, only to learn later that he would receive about half of the $1,300-a-month payment he would have received under the Montgomery bill.
This vet tried to change his benefits to the Montgomery bill but found that VA had processed his application for benefits in just two weeks - proving that in this case, the new and improved GI bill benefits processing system is indeed working at the advertised pace.
At the moment, it seems my pal has little hope, because VA told him he had made an "irrevocable" election of benefits, even though he won't receive a check until August.
But if VA wants to make benefits irrevocable, I think it needs to do a better job of explaining the differences in benefits under the two bills. Yes, VA does have a GI bill Web site, which, I guess, if one clicks enough links, a veteran can eventually determine which bill offers the best package of benefits, depending on individual circumstances.
I suggest VA develop and quickly post a chart on the site that offers a side-by-side comparison of the benefits available under both bills.
Until then, my buddy suggests veterans consult Military.com which offers a nifty online guide for the two bills.
COMMENTS
I just wanted to let you know the VA has uploaded its Video Guide to the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill to Youtube!
Pass the link along if you know any veterans/service members who might need clarification on the new benefit.
Post 9/11 G.I. Bill guide:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wwzie29m5Y
Some of the question the videos tries to clarify are:
Who is eligible?
What are the benefits?
What about officers and college loan enlistees?
What kind of education does it cover?
Does it cover Advanced Degrees?
How does the Spouse/Dependent Transfer Option work?
Who might not need this benefit?
How does the Yellow Ribbon Program work?
I was the producer on this piece so if you have any questions let me know.
Thanks,
Ray
Department of Veterans Affairs
Video Journalist, “The American Veteran”
(work) 202-745-8000 ext 7087
ray.flores@va.gov
ray flores 07/14/09 03:20 pm ET
I thought I better do a little research into the post I made about the GI Bill Benefits and it is a good thing I did.
I found the following website that lists benefit comparisons btween Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill.
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Benefit_Comparison_Chart.htm#SCHOOLS
I found the following regarding irrevocable choices:
++++++++++++++++++++
Election of Benefits
If you wish to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and you are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill [u][size=12pt]you must make an irrevocable choice to give up ONE of the other education benefits, however you will remain eligible to the benefit you did not relinquish. Because you are now eligible for two education benefits, you MAY be able to change which education benefit you draw depending on your eligibility.[/size] [/u]and another GI Bill benefit such as the Montgomery GI Bill you will be required to make an irrevocable choice of which benefit you wish to receive. If you are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and two or more other education benefit
For example: you have eligibility under the Post 9/11 GI Bill and the Selected Reserve GI Bill. You can get a degree in electrical engineering under the Post-9/11 GI Bill at a community college, then you can enroll in an apprenticeship program with the electrician's union under the Selected Reserve GI Bill and receive Journeyman certification.
If you are not planning to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill now, you do not need to make your election immediately but should wait until closer to the time in which you wish to use benefits.
++++++++++++++++++++
I found the following in the source code:
So, the other story has some validity, but there is the irrevocable clause. Just when it appeared???
Michael Isam 07/08/09 05:22 am ET
Mr Brewin,
In addition to the guide you mentioned, Military.com also offers a GI Bill Calculator that takes in to account multiple individual factors (such as your military status, time you served post 9/11, what state you'd like to attend school in, etc) to compare your possible GI Bill benefits side by side.
I thought this might be of use to your readers.
www.military.com/gi-bill-calculator
Respectfully,
Anthony Baker
Anthony Baker 07/07/09 01:12 pm ET
Just when I feel comfortable telling these young men and women that the current VA is not your Father and Grandfather's VA, the VA has to step up and prove me wrong.
I'm a Vietnam Vet and we have fought hard to make sure that those coming after us do not recieve the same treatment.
We are just going to have to fight all that much harder.
We need vets from all the wars to make a march on the VA and give them a look at how many there are of us so those numbers they quote have some relevancy.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
i run a news service for veteran and I get updates from the VA Liaison Office every morning. I post them on two forums here on the First Coast of Florida.
Michael Isam
USAF, 1969-1973
Vietnam, 1969-1970
Michael Isam 07/06/09 12:45 pm ET
Mr. Brewin,
Please note that there is a chart comparing the Post-9/11 GI Bill to other education benefit programs on VA's website. The link is below. And yes, it is difficult to navigate to.
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Benefit_Comparison_Chart.htm
Barrett 07/06/09 08:42 am ET