There are many important changes to the revamped Post-9/11 GI Bill that are ready to become law next week. Many changes relate to the pursuit of non-degree training, which will help Veterans who don’t necessarily want to use their benefits at a traditional school. There’s also a new housing allowance for exclusively online students.

Courtesy of VA’s GI Bill page, here are the changes for October 1:

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 for distance learning: 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

Active duty stipend: Students on active duty will now receive a books and supplies stipend

For continuous updates, news and announcements on education benefits, subscribe to the GI Bill Facebook page and bookmark the GI Bill homepage. The Facebook page is an easy way to get your GI Bill questions answered (in addition to the frequently asked questions page), and 1-888-GIBILL-1 can answer questions on specific cases.

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37 Comments

  1. Bradley Herron December 21, 2011 at 16:14

    Before I post my comment I would like to commend the curator and personnel of VAntage Point for creating such a helpful web-reference for veterans as well as veterans families. I would also like to personally commend Mr. Alex Horton for his concise and emphatic journalism.
    What a great thing it is to see a synergistic, charitable effort like this directed towards our nations brave. Thank you, for your time, effort, insight and fortitude.

    My question is directed towards any Veterans Representative that could still be monitoring this thread (forgive me please, my timing is belated). I’m aware that since it’s inception, the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill has undergone many amendments and improvements. These emends, in the light of turbulent economic and political times have come to serve as a kind of saving grace for many veterans today and to come forth in the future. And I am no exception. Fairly soon, I’ll join the ranks of veterans as I prepare to exit the Army.
    My question isn’t exactly about the recent changes to the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, however. My question is this;
    Can a veteran use the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill concurrently with other benefits / assistance?
    And if so, what benefits or assistance can be used?

    If it’s possible, please enlighten me on this issue because I’ve been receiving mixed opinions on this topic and would like to know the truth once and for all.

    Thank you again for all that you do-
    (for veterans and even us active duty military folk),

    Bradley Herron

    • Bradley Herron December 21, 2011 at 16:21

      For example…

      Can an Army Reservist / National Guardsmen use Tuition Assistance AND the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits concurrently?

    • Meg February 14, 2012 at 19:24

      No, you may not use more than one benefit at a time. My best recomendation is the post 911 gi bill because it pays out the most. Contact the school that you want to go to when you get home and ask to speak with the va rep inside the financial assistance program they have more information for you.

  2. Gerardo Malimban October 28, 2011 at 03:59

    New Change affects Central Texas College (CTC)”on line class”. To my suprise, I end up paying $1,072.00 for my 2 on line classes. According to CTC, VA only pays for a maximun if $76.00 per credit hours.
    Situation: I am stationed in Germany, using Post 9/11, and strictly on line classes.
    Explanation by CTC: Since they do not have on line instructors in Germany, VA considers it out of state courses and capped at $76.00 per credit hours (unverified by VA).
    For the two classes that I am enrolled, I am stuck with it since I already bought the books for it and it would be a waste to not to dropped both classes.
    I am upset at CTC because they knew ahead of time and did not inform me of the changes. Its bad business!!!.
    Now I am rethinking my plan. I guess I’ll contunue my studies through UMUC>

    • Alex Horton October 28, 2011 at 15:42

      Hey Geraldo, I’ll contact the education folks and see if there are any issues with the way you were charged.

  3. Gerardo Malimban October 26, 2011 at 04:22

    I’ve enrolled and received confirmation letter that my enrollment was received and proccessed by VA. My class started 24 Oct 2011 and will end 16 Dec 2011. Early this morning, I received an email from CTC that I was dropped for non-payment. Its dissappointing news and frustrating. I am in Germany and have to wait later in the afternoon to call VA rep to find out why they have not paid my tuition to CTC.

  4. Daniel October 5, 2011 at 09:07

    I am receiving 60 percent of the post 9/11 g.i.bill benefits. I read that the BAH for online students is 673.50 at 100 percent. Does that mean that i would only get 60 percent of the 673.50 ? I don’t mean to sound like i’m stupid, i just want to be totally sure thats what it means. Thanks

    • Talia October 9, 2011 at 12:59

      Daniel, I belive that you will receive 60% of the BAH. I get 50% of the post 9/11 benefit and I received a packet back on August 26th that stated I will get 336.72 a month for each full month of training during the certified enrollment period. It says beginning October 1, and ending October 10, so I am assuming it will be less than that because it states that i will will receive a prorated amount for any partial months of training.

  5. Justin October 4, 2011 at 15:45

    The VA system and the government as a whole is a complete joke. They keep on making changes to hurt the veteran, all the while they continue to support countries that would kill and hurt us on sight.

    All this money that we spend in Iraq, Saudi, Libya, etc could be used to help the many of veterans like myself who put their life on the line for this country. As of October 1, 2011 the VA promised us that we would be allowed to go to flight schools and obtain a Private Pilot certification, FULLY COVERED. Now it’s October 1st and they’ve decided to change there minds.

    I’m getting really sick of all the red tape and games they play with the VETS. It wasn’t a game to me when I spent 2 years fighting a war I didn’t believe in or watching my friends die in battle next to me. So why has a simple promise to serve and honor us as veterans become a joke? We may never know but it’s time for some answer’s and we need to ask these question’s to people that can ACTUALLY make a Difference…Your congressmen, Senator or even better…THE MEDIA….when you expose these frauds for what they’re are, you get much quicker results.

    • MikeC February 20, 2012 at 17:54

      I am currently working in Afghanistan and will be leaving here in about two weeks. I got out of the Military back in 2005 and rate the full 100% for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. I want to get my Private Pilots License when I return to the states. As I have read, they will pay up to $10,000 to do this. I have found conflicting information on the VA.gov website. Apparently you have tried this and have not had any luck. Hopefully by the time I write this and you read it, you have more information on how to do it and if it can be done at all. I would love to hear from you to see if I am wasting my time even trying. Thank you.

  6. Jae October 4, 2011 at 09:48

    Is the new housing allowance for sole distance learning students only half of the BAH regardless of how many courses you are taking; or is it possible to collect the full BAH amount without attending an actual on site class?

  7. Dannielle October 3, 2011 at 12:15

    Glad to hear I’m not the only one experiencing this! I’ve been receiving the post-911 benefits for the past year and, until now, have not had any issues. It’s my first semester taking all online classes and luckily I have received my book stipend but no bah. My question is what is going on with the new bah policy that was supposed to start up Oct. 1? Seeing as I’m not the only one with questions might explain why I’m still on hold with the va going on 40 minutes now.. For anyone who has gotten through please post your findings! Thank you!

    • Dannielle October 3, 2011 at 12:26

      I got through shortly after my post. I was told that since the policy started on Oct.1 I will not receive any bah until Nov.1. Just as before the new distance learning policy came about when bah isn’t sent out until a month after you’ve been in classes. I hope this has helped anybody with the same concerns, good luck.

    • MSS15 October 3, 2011 at 12:29

      Check out Facebook, The Post-9/11 GI Bill, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the first post on the wall has over 130 comments with the same questions and some answers. I just spent and hour reading over it.

  8. MSS15 October 3, 2011 at 10:37

    We, too, are in the same boat. My husdband has been receiving BAH for the last 3 years. This is the first semester that he is taking all online classes and no money on the first, and today, no money on the third. What the hell is going on?

    • Rich October 3, 2011 at 15:56

      If you are on the POST 9/11 GI bill and attending all of your classes online, you will not see the BAH until the 1st of November. It is like anything that has to do with government pay, you don’t get it until the following month for the previous month.

  9. Reddlace October 1, 2011 at 11:14

    Maybe someone knows something here. I have looked for answers all over the net and nothing. My husband has been enrolled in college since last summer. He is on the post 9-11 GI Bill. As of the 3rd of last month (Sept 11) it was the end of the quarter and then he started back up on the 12th. On Sept we received no money for BAH, we figured because of the new rules and stuff it was because of the break and we would get paid as of today Oct 1. Well its the 1st and our Navy Federal account has nothing. He is going to call on Monday (granted I told him to call last month when we didn’t get paid but I was just his overly pregnant wife with too many hormones).

    We received the paper work that his benefits started back the 12th and that it was at 100% and that he would get his book stipend and nothing. He seems to think they lost his info. I doubt it highly. I am freaking out over this we have no savings and just had a baby 3 weeks ago shit has to get paid!!!!!

    One quarter he blew off school and messed up his grades but like I said they said they were going to pay us. Oh and I checked his school his tuition has been paid already.

    If anyone knows anything

    • joe October 1, 2011 at 12:56

      I can’t really help with an advice Reddlace, but my quarter started at the end of september, so my first payment should have been in my account today, and of course there is no money there. This has happened to me before, but my VA rep at school told me 2 weeks ago that the VA was notified of my courses and tuition was paid. The VA is very bad at doing what they are supposed to do, and all we can do is wait until monday right now when they are back in their office for another week of making things difficult for every body

      • Reddlace October 1, 2011 at 13:34

        Well thank you for responding. I am sorry you are in the same situation we are in. It really sucks right now. I don’t even know how we are going to pay our rent! Its really ridiculous they do this sort of thing to people who depend on them.

    • TStorey October 1, 2011 at 14:07

      Wow I am in the same EXACT boat as you right now. Husband has been getting the post 9/11 GI bill for almost 2 years now and his Fall Semester started Sept 6th. I woke up expecting to see his BAH in our account today Oct 1st. and nothing! I am also pregnant. Due in 3 weeks! I am now freaking out because that money pays our mortgage and I wasn’t expecting to not get it this month. Not to mention the stress of a baby coming does not help. I hate having to now wait until next week to find out anything! We really rely on that money and when it doesn’t come through it hits hard sometimes. This month was the worst timing for it to happen too. :(

      • TStorey October 1, 2011 at 14:09

        SOrry just noticed you said you already had your baby, not still pregnant. Congrats! But I understand your stress…

        • Reddlace October 1, 2011 at 15:54

          Yeah I did, I had her on the 5th. And ty! And congrats to you as well. I hope they get this fixed for both of us! Its so stressful, my postpardum hormones are going nuts already I don’t need this stress as well. And I know how you feel we didn’t get paid the beginning of Sept either (he goes 4 quarters a year). I think it might have helped throw me into labor. Ughhhhhh you stay in and the mess with you, you get out and they mess with you. Totally sucks

      • Rich October 3, 2011 at 15:55

        If you are on the POST 9/11 GI bill and attending all of your classes online, you will not see the BAH until the 1st of November. It is like anything that has to do with government pay, you don’t get it until the following month for the previous month.

      • Justin October 4, 2011 at 15:35

        It generally takes 2 months for the VA to get your pay going. I can tell you from previous experience and working there many years ago. 99% of the worker’s there do nothing until the last minute. The VA system is absolutely terrible. If you want fast results, contact your congressmen, senator or the local media and I will assure you that will get them going. Nothing better than exposing people who get paid to not do their damn job.

    • latrice October 3, 2011 at 10:33

      If he started back up on the 12th of September, the VA will pay him from the time the school recertified him. He should get a book stipend of $41.67 per credit hoour. It just depends on how many credits he is taking. For 3 credit hours it is $125.01 for 4 it is $166.68 It just depends on the school certifying him. Just have him call the VA and they will explain when his last claim was processed and when his last payment went out. I received my payment on time but in the past I have received a payment after the first only because of the date they received my claim. It takes 17 days to process a claim once the VA receives it. Once it is processed they will send a payment out.

  10. Jay W. October 1, 2011 at 00:53

    Maybe i’m just stupid but what is the housing allowance stipend for? Is that all part of the Montgomery G.I. Bill? Or is it something completely different? I am attending online courses for Homeland Security and I’m pretty sure I get the basic package, but is the Housing Allowance to help out with the bills and such or is that all included in the Montgomery G.I. Bill? I’m not sure but if everything isn’t as clear as mud as it is now, then maybe someone could point me in the right direction? Thanks. Rangers Lead The Way

    • JW October 1, 2011 at 04:03

      The housing stipend is part of the changes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill. It is not part of the MGIB. To receive the Post 9/11 benefits you would have needed to serve after 9/11 and request to receive Post 9/11 benefits instead of the MGIB. The housing stipend is a separate payment made to you. You can use it for whatever you want to use it for.

  11. Inmobiliarias Capital September 30, 2011 at 14:53

    you should make a quick contact to have the issue solved

    • hcg diet drops September 30, 2011 at 15:46

      yea. a quick contact will do

  12. josh patterson September 29, 2011 at 16:47

    Hey jon I know its discouraging but who says the dva is here to help us rather than harm us? I have had so money hard times trying to get cooperation from them but good luck in your indever.

    • cheetah print bedding September 30, 2011 at 07:32

      you have a very strong point josh

    • wm siemon October 4, 2011 at 15:50

      Endeavor, not indever.

  13. John N. Maher September 29, 2011 at 15:27

    Help! DVA refuses to remove derogatory credit information from my credit report claiming that I failed to communicate with DVA. Here are the facts and I respectfully request a hand: after returning from Afghanistan, I enrolled in two schools, DePaul for law and the University of Illinois for business. The Post 911 GI Bill was set up for DePaul, and the Illinois Veteran’s Grant, a state program separate from DVA, was set up for the state school. In February 2011, DVA sent U of I, the state school, nearly $5,000. I did not know this. In March, DVA sent me the first of several collection notices. I responded to each via fax and US Mail, asking for an explanation, as the state program was fully funded with the Illinois Veteran’s Grant. In July, I mobilized once again. In August, DVA reported negative credit information. At that point, I took it upon myself to find DVA’s money at U of I, send it immediately to DVA, together with each of my letters, and asked that DVA remove the credit information (not only because I have a government security clearance, but also because one credit card company has already reduced my available credit). Even though DVA sent the money to the wrong school, and I ensured that the money was returned to DVA in full, and I responded to each of DVA’s letters, the Debt Management Center refuses to remove the bad credit because they claim to have never received my letters until I sent them all, together, registered mail. I cannot explain why DVA did not receive US mail nor faxes, only registered mail, nor can I explain why DVA sent the money to the wrong school. In sum, DVA refuses to fix the credit on the basis that because they have no letters from me, until the registered mail, they have not violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act nor the consumer protection laws protecting reservists from adverse credit reporting after mobilization. Would you please lend a hand, especially given that DVA is the agency responsible to look out for veterans, rather than harm them.

    • Dorothy Healy September 30, 2011 at 08:26

      Contact the ABA Military Pro Bono Project or the Volunteer lawyer program through you local Bar Assoc.

      • Jay Lee September 30, 2011 at 16:32

        Call the local office of your Congressperson and Senators and follow up with an email/copies of your correspondence with DVA. Nothing moves federal bureaucracy faster than a call from Washington.

    • Ken October 1, 2011 at 08:18

      John

      I would highly suggest you contact your Congressman’s VA liaison representitive to cut through this red tape with the VA. The VA then has 45 days to respond to a congressional inquiry.
      V/R
      Ken

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