G.I. Bill®

The bill will allow more veterans to use the GI Bill® and more time to use it.  Some of the changes will go into effect immediately, most will not.  The majority of the changes enhance or expand education benefits for veterans, service members, families, and survivors.

The new provisions that go into effect immediately include:

1. The 15-year time limitation to use Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits is eliminated for veterans who left active duty on or after January 1, 2013, children who became eligible for the Fry Scholarship on or after January 1, 2013, and all Fry scholarship eligible spouses.
2. We are now authorized to restore benefits and provide relief to veterans affected by school closures or disapprovals.
3. Reservists who had eligibility under the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) and lost it due to the program sunset provision will have that service credited toward the Post-9/11 GI Bill® program.  We are in the process of identifying the approximately 2,800 Reservists affected by this and will send them letters with instructions.
4. Certain work-study is permanently authorized; previously it had to be re-approved by Congress every few years.
5. Anyone eligible for GI Bill® can use their benefits at an accredited independent study program at an area career and technical school, or a postsecondary vocational school providing postsecondary level education.  There is no action for you to take here, as these programs will go through the normal course of approval by the appropriate State Approving Agency.  Any new programs will be added to our GI Bill® Comparison Tool.
6. The Vet Success on Campus program will be available to students across the country.
7. VA will help veterans to more clearly identify schools that offer them priority enrollment.

You may be eligible for several types of VA education and training benefits, but you have to consider several things before you apply for the GI Bill® program.  The Post-9/11 GI Bill® is the best option for some, but for other students, it would be the Montgomery GI Bill®.  To make things easier to decide which education and training benefits are best for you it is recommended to use the comparison tool at https://www.vets.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool/.

If you’re a service member, veteran, or family member interested in education and training opportunities, you can apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and manage your current VA benefits at: https://www.vets.gov/education/apply/.

Many VA and other government resources exist to help you choose a school and education program.  Please visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/school_decision.asp for a list of websites that can assist you in finding the educational institution that’s right for you.  You may also visit http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/ for additional information.

The rates will vary depending on the type of benefits that you are receiving. If you are using the Chapter 33-Post 9/11 benefit, you will receive a housing allowance based on an E-5 with one dependent, a book stipend, and tuition and fees (all funds are based on your active duty time). The housing allowance is based on the zip code of the training facility.  You can calculate this at http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bahCalc.cfm. Distance education has a fixed housing allowance for all students. You can find more information at https://benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/resources/benefits_resources/rates/ch33/ch33rates080117.asp#HOUSING.  If you are using any other benefits besides Post 9/11, you will only receive a monthly education stipend.  You can find the current payment rates at https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/resources/benefits_resources/rate_tables.asp.

Yes. Starting August 1, 2019, the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship will provide up to 9 months of additional assistance in designated areas.  A student must apply for the scholarship and it is based on first-come first-served.  Information can be found in Sec 111 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017.

In order to see what you have remaining under any GI Bill® benefit, you can reach the VA at 1-888-442-4551. Depending on how long it has been since you last used your benefits, they may ask that you complete a new application for benefits.  If so, that application can be found at https://www.vets.gov/education/apply/.  If you have an ebenefits account, the website contains a “statement of benefits” for you which will also indicate how many months of benefits you have remaining.

No. There are no limitations on the number of hours a person can take during a semester or term.  If attending a state public institution Post 9/11 will cover the tuition and fees.  A student must take at least one hour over half time in order to receive any portion of the monthly BAH stipend.

The option to transfer is open to any member of the armed forces on active duty or Selected Reserve, officer, or enlisted who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, and meets the following criteria:
– Has at least six years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval and agrees to serve four additional years in the armed forces from the date of election.
– Has at least 10 years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval, is precluded by either standard policy (by Service Branch or DoD) or statute from committing to four additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute.
– Transfer requests are submitted and approved while the member is in the armed forces.  Additional details can be found at: https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/post911_transfer.asp

Regarding an appeal with the DVA, you will need to follow the instructions located on the decision letter you received in order to file the appeal.  For legal assistance, you may refer to the Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans (TLTV).

The State of Texas has an education benefit called the Texas Hazlewood Act.

Unfortunately, we do not have a list of every scholarship that may be available for veterans, dependents, and spouses of veterans; however, you may be able to find information about scholarships by visiting the following link: http://www.texvet.org/scholarships.

Here is the link to filing a GI Bill® related complaint: http://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp. Once you’ve completed and submitted this form, you may be contacted for additional information.  Either the VA will investigate and/or they will assign it to our agency for follow-up.  A visit may be conducted to address the issue(s) you submit for investigation.  We recommend that you also follow the complaint procedures outlined by your school, which are typically found in the student handbook.

Transcripts have always been a requirement so that the school can show that they evaluated any prior credit and have granted it to you and to ensure that previous schools attended were paid. Usually, schools will grant a grace period to allow the student the opportunity to obtain all transcripts however the school you currently attend is correct in upholding the requirement to obtain them.

Specifically, the School Certifying Official Handbook states:
One of the criteria for approval of any school for Veterans’ training is that it review prior credit and grant credit as appropriate to a VA student’s current program. This is found in Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 21.4253(d)(3) and 21.4254(C)(4). In essence, this requires every approved school to have and enforce a policy with regard to transfer courses, credits, and previous experience.

You can use the GI Bill® benefits to cover a VA approved OJT or Apprenticeship program. More information on OJT/APP, including a list of currently approved programs, can be found at the following link: https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/onthejob_apprenticeship.asp.

If your child is using Post 9/11 benefits, no you should not receive a decrease in payment from the VA.  If your dependent is using Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program CH.35, yes you should expect a decrease in your monthly payment from the VA because your dependent is now receiving educational assistance.