Post 9-11 GI Bill: Major Changes in the Works…
Aug 23 2010
Legislation including a host of upgrades and changes to the Post 9-11 GI Bill just passed a key congressional committee. Major proposed changes include:
- Giving credit for Title 32 (Full-Time National Guard/Reserve Service) service members back to September 11, 2001. This will greatly assist these service members in qualifying for a more robust benefit.
- $1,000 books and supplies stipend for Active Duty service members and their spouses (they are currently inelgible).
- Addition of vocational training (on-the-job training and apprenticeships) and expanded licensing/certification benefits.
- Adjustment of the housing allowance to include full-time distance learners (at 50 percent rate) and base the housing allowance on enrollment level.
- Capping the tuition and fees paid for Active Duty service members and their spouses at $20,000 annually. This is big potential hit, since these populations currently have no tuition cap (but give up the books and supplies stipend/housing allowance under the Post 9-11 GI Bill).
For full details, see this article in the Military Times.
We will keep you informed on the progress of this legislation. While we think there is a good chance that much of it will pass this year, there is so much uncertainty/acrimony around any budget issues in Congress that there are no guarantees.
Phil Dyer, CFP®, RLP®. CPCC
Say, When I tried to settle the bill with the private college my daughter atttends using my transferred post 9-11 GI Bill, the people there told me that the current practice of matching the highest in-state public university tuition rate will be rescinded next year and that I will have to pay out of my pocket or take loans. Can you all help me understand wha thappened?
I have been disappointed with the news about the changes coming in 2011. I called and spoke with the VA and they don’t clearly understand all of it yet. I will be transferring the benefit to my children and it seems that they have dropped the highest in-state tuition rate and are just going to pay the in-state tuition. This translates to a $17,500 drop at the out-of-state school my daughter plans to attend. Interestingly private instituitions will be reimbursed a flat rate of $17,500. This is more than most in-state tuitions at public schools, so those attending an out-of-state public school appear to lose. The Yellow Ribbon Program doesn’t necessarily match the loss, especially at our school, only offering $1500 annually.
They also plan to pro-rate the BAH to the days actually spend during academic terms. The VA people said you will get more BAH benefit this way, but it doesn’t say anything about pro-rating the 36 month tuition benefit and the folks at the VA couldn’t answer that one.
I would appreciate anyone’s experience or insight -
I dont think the Post GI bill was fairly done. What about the soldiers that were on active duty during 911. Why would they be eligible to transfer their benefit to their dependents?? When you name a Bill, Post 911 GI Bill we veterans who has served their country far beyond two years after 911 not just after the bill was signed in Aug 2009, should have been eligible to transfer their benefits also… Never Happen… I wish Mr. Obama look into that and retro active this bill for those who served !!!! I think because he not farmilar with all the military policies and no one presented this issue to him for all veteran that were serving during this time…