If you are utilizing your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, read on. The largest group of college-bound veterans is using the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) educational benefits. This is because it gives the most in terms of covering tuition, fees, and other expenses. It includes a stipend for books and supplies and a monthly housing allowance. It also allows the service members to partially or fully transfer the education benefit to their dependent(s).
To get a thorough rundown of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, review the Post-9/11 GI Bill Overview. Additionally, bookmark these two resources: Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) Rates and Current VA Education Rates.
With the majority of veterans taking advantage of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, many are not realizing the full potential and how to efficiently navigate their academic planning to maximize their benefits. Here are five key tips to understanding what this Bill can do for you and how to avoid common pitfalls.
1. Connect With Your School’s Military/Veteran Office
Military/veteran school officials do not magically know that you are a military-connected student. Each college or university may differ in approach, but be sure to identify as a veteran with them. They do more than just certify your benefits. They will deconflict issues, connect you with veteran, military spouse, or active-duty student-specific resources, and process your 90-day mandatory deferment (thank you, Veteran Benefit and Transition Act of 2018) upon schedule updates. They can also connect you with your peer network and so much more.
2. Make a Learning Plan
While it seems like busy work, it provides greater visibility into how the class schedule will be organized each academic term. The optimal length is at least two to three academic terms because anything too far away could change. This also helps reduce unnecessary electives. Traditionally, academic and career advisors can assist with this. Remember that the Post-9/11 GI Bill is based on the rate of pursuit, so it matters when courses are scheduled and their duration.
3. Account for In-person Attendance
It is natural for the military community to solely lean on virtual learning due to the constant TDYs, relocations, and duty hours. However, the Post-9/11 GI Bill requires at least one credit hour (or equivalent) of face-to-face physical attendance class time to be eligible for the monthly housing allowance based on the local rate. If only online courses are taken, then this benefit significantly drops to 50 percent of the national average. If you need to balance different modalities, try to include at least one hybrid or in-person class format.
4. Financial Aid Extras
Work with your financial aid office to learn more about institutional programs and other benefits because nine times out of ten, there is more for you. The Post 9/11 GI Bill covers licenses, certifications, and vocational training, which may be required with your academic program or enhance your professional portfolio to make you more competitive in the workplace. By learning more about what is available to you, you can utilize other financial resources, which include military-specific scholarships. It does not have to be one or the other.
5. Stick to the Plan
Enrollment verification is required monthly. Since the timing of the monthly housing allowance is tied to enrollment and location, adding more classes, withdrawing from classes, or starting class sessions at different points during a semester are some common actions that lead to status changes, which then impact how much benefit you receive. Certainly, if you change your major or decide to go to a different school, your school and the VA should know about it as soon as you make the decision to minimize interruptions. If they do not hear from you for two consecutive months, payments are placed on hold.
Maximize Your Potential Return
With the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s platter of benefits, it makes sense to maximize what you can get and proactively connect with your school resources before each academic term. This will help you fully understand how enrollment choices affect benefits and how to map out a learning plan to avoid unwanted surprises and financial gaps.
Implementing intentional strategies like these enables you to stay informed, get expert support and guidance, and maintain your status. By investing in a bit more time, you can realize your professional and academic goals and get there sooner by making the most of what the Post-9/11 GI Bill has to offer.
