New Montgomery GI Bill: Chapter 33 Increases Veteran Benefits
The Post 9/11 GI Bill Can Increase Veteran's Benefits to 48 Months
The new MGIB will pay up to full tuition for the veteran, includes a housing allowance and an annual stipend for textbooks. Veterans that are eligible for the Chapter 30 version may be eligible for an additional 12 months of education benefits for a total of 48 months.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the MGIB Chapter 33's minimum benefits, you must have served on active duty for a total of at least 90 consecutive days after September 11, 2001. To earn the maximum benefit is earned if you have served after September 11, 2001 for an aggregate of 36 months of active duty. The percentage levels range from 40 percent (90 days consecutive service) to 100 percent (36+ months consecutive service). The Veterans Administration (VA) has a scale to determine your level of benefit. For example, if you served for 31 months on active duty after September 11, 2001, your benefit would be 90 percent of the tuition benefit, 90 percent of the housing limit and $900 for books.
How to Apply
The application process has been made as easy as possible. The VA will begin accepting applications on May 1, 2009. The benefits will not be applied or awarded until August 1, 2009. The application in PDF form is available on the VA website.
Like many VA benefits, there is almost a "strategy" to applying for benefits. Everyone's personal situation is different, and you want to maximize the benefits that you deserve. If you are eligible for the Chapter 33 benefits and you are already qualified (or using) another VA education benefit, you should read the information on the MGIB website very carefully.
"...individuals currently eligible for another education benefit make an irrevocable election from their existing program to the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Typically individuals who are eligible for more than one benefit may use a combined total of 48 months of entitlement. Therefore, for those individuals eligible for the MGIB program, please be advised that if you have entitlement remaining under the MGIB, the number of months of Post 9/11 GI Bill entitlement you will be eligible for will be equal to the number of months remaining under MGIB, However, if you exhaust all of your MGIB entitlement, then you may be entitled to a maximum of 12 additional months of entitlement under the Post 9/11 GI Bill."
It seems that it may be beneficial to some to continue their present education benefit until it is exhausted (say, you have less than 12 months remaining on your chapter 30), then apply for the Chapter 33 benefits. By doing this you could qualify for an additional year of education benefits.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill or MGIB Chapter 33 increases overall benefits to a maximum of full tuition (Maximum tuition is a dollar amount not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate program at a public institution in the state you are attending school), A housing allowance that at a 100 percent benefit would pay the same rate as an E-5's housing allowance, with dependents, in the same zip code as the school you are attending, and textbooks up to $1000.
This is another way the Department of Veteran's Affairs and the Veteran Service Organizations have moved to make education affordable to the typical veteran after they have served their country. . For additional information regarding the MGIB, point your browser to http://www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-442-4551.
Resources
Veteran's Administration MGIB Website, http://www.gibill.va.gov
Published by L.E. Duncan
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3 Comments
Post a CommentIn fall of 2011, the Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI BIll) stopped covering out of state tuition.
In addition, they increased the minimum requirement of those considered to be full-time students, from 7 to 12 units which greatly reduces the amount one receives for their monthly stipend.
Another cut has been to the gap pay that used to cover cost of living expenses between semesters.
Do they really expect that we're going to somehow, magically, get a job with (at least) an equivalent income in the moribund job market that we're experiencing now?
Many veterans thought, incorrectly, that the educational benefits that they earned were guaranteed and protected but, as of 2011, this is clearly not the case.
When it was first implemented, the Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI BIll) was a great idea that provided the best educational benefit for veterans who wanted to pursue a degree in an institution of higher learning. Not any more. Does anyone out there know who voted for these changes?
Why is is that the Post 9/11 GI Bill allows you to use your benefits up to within 15 yrs of discharge as opposed to the 10 yrs for the Montgomery GI Bill? I obtained an Honorable Discharge March of 1998 and was denied of any help.
This may increase benefits to some, but there are still others being denied because they wish to go to trade schools or vocational schools and the Dept VA doesn't recognize these schools as schools of higher learning. Gee, aren't they learning a trade so they can be productive members of society!! Time to rethink the new Post 9/11 GI Bill. Allow our veterans to get their education, regardless of where it is!!!