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Krish is a writer based in the Austin, TX area that is focused on making information easier to digest. He focuses on military and education topics.

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Blue Button Veteran Health information

April 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In 2010 the Obama administration introduced the “MyBlueButton” initiative to allow military personnel to download their health information from MyHealtheVet in an easy to read digital format. You can save the file in a PDF format which allows you to share the information with your healthcare provider or some popular computer programs.

What information can I get from the Blue Button?

MyHealtheVet allows you to store information around the following:

  • Demographic Information
  • Emergency Contact Information
  • Health Care Providers
  • Health Insurance
  • Treatment Facilities
  • Medical Conditions and Personal Medical History
  • Medications, Herbals, and Supplements
  • Allergies and Adverse Reactions
  • Lab and Test Results
  • Immunizations
  • Vitals and Readings
  • Family Health History (Self and Relatives)
  • Military Health History
  • Health Data (blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, etc.)
  • Other health-related information the Veteran feels a doctor or hospital might need to know

Where can I find official information on how to use the blue button?

You can find more information on the VA website here .

The VA website answers key questions like how I can get an in-person authenticated MyHealtheVet account and if the information is stored safely.

What websites use the blue button data?

The VA maintains a list of sites that currently use the blue button data. One of the more popular sites is Linkedin.com! Check out the full list here. 

My Blue Button data download

 

Filed Under: GI Bill Information Tagged With: , , ,

GI Bill Benefit Watchdog Bill

April 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In recent months there has been a lot of media coverage about for-profit schools targeting military students for their GI Bill benefits.

As many of you already know your GI Bill benefits are highly valuable and should be used carefully. NPR recently reported that a new GI Bill Benefit Watchdog bill was introduced by Sen. Mark Begich (D – Alaska),  Sen. Daniel Akaka (D – Hawaii), Sen. Patty Murray (D – Washington). The bill’s aim is to help veterans who may have been taken advantage of by various schools.

We at MilitaryOnlineEducation.org want to make sure any veterans or members of the military know their rights in regards to this bill and their rights to privacy with the schools.  We came up with a list of questions/tips to help you out.

How should I research and get more info on schools?

1) The easiest way to get in touch with a school is to request info via form. They usually call you within 24 hours to talk about your educational choices. However, with this we want you to know that you are opt-in to being contacted by the school. If you ever want to be removed from the school’s mailing list, simply ask them to put you on their do not call list or unsubscribe list. They should honor this within 7 business days. If they do not you have the right to report them for spamming.

Another important thing to know is that if you use a website that is not owned by the school you may be contacted by more than one school. We strongly suggest reading the website’s privacy policy before hitting submit. All sites must maintain a privacy policy and info on how your information will be used. DO NOT SUBMIT TO A SITE WITHOUT A PRIVACY POLICY!

2)  If you don’t want to disclose your information, simply call the school via their 800 number. They may ask you for your info, but you are not obligated to provide it unless you want to be called back or mailed additional info. Simply state, “I am not ready to give you my information, yet, I would like to ask you some questions first.”

Remember you are the customer and you are in control. Do not feel pressured into giving any information you don’t want to give.

However, if you are serious about going to school you will need to disclose your contact information. Just be reasonable about this.

3) Every school maintains a website with tuition information, course info etc. You should be able to get most of your information online without ever talking to a human or sending in your info. All official school sites end with a .EDU.

4) If you don’t want a lot of calls or emails be selective about which schools you want to request info from. We suggest talking to one or two schools first. Any more than that can get a bit cumbersome.

5) Take your time researching online. Filling out a form before finding out if the school offers what you want is a bad move. Check out our site for more info on each school and see if you can connect with other students on Facebook, Google+ or Twitter first.

6) Be ready with a list of questions to ask the school. Don’t fall into a sales pitch. You are in control, ask the questions that matter. For a list of the top 50 questions to ask, click here. This is a free list we provide to our visitors. Make sure to share it with your friends and family to help them also.

What are the main points of the GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 2012?

  • Information Availability:  The GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act calls for disclosure of, among other data, statistics related to student loan debt, transferability of credits earned, veteran enrollment, program preparation for licensing and certification, and job placement rates.
  • Information Dissemination:  The GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act requires VA to provide educational beneficiaries with easy-to-understand information about schools that are approved for GI Bill benefit use.
  • Staffing and Training:  The GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act requires educational institutions to have at least one employee who is knowledgeable about benefits available to servicemembers and veterans.  This legislation further requires that academic advising, tutoring, career and placement counseling services, and referrals to Vet Centers are available and that institutions offer training to faculty members on matters that are relevant to servicemembers and veterans.
  • Curbing Misleading Marketing and Aggressive Recruiting:  The GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act requires VA and the Department of Defense to develop a joint policy on aggressive recruiting and misleading marketing aimed at servicemembers, veterans, and other beneficiaries.
  • Educational Counseling: The GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act makes educational counseling available to more beneficiaries.

The above bullet points are referenced from this site.

If you wish to read the full text of the proposed bill please click here.

Filed Under: GI Bill Information Tagged With: , ,

GI Bill of Rights

February 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The GI Bill of Rights is a common term for the veterans benefits created in the 1944 Servicemen Readjustment Act. The original GI Bill lasted from 1944 to 1956 and was created by Harry Colmery to help veterans of WWII to acclimate back to civilian life.

Under the original bill 7.8 million veterans participated in the education portion of the bill and 2.4 million veterans participated in the home loan program under the VA.

The original intent of the bill was to prevent a large depression in the US with so many people returning from war and not having jobs.

One of the largest outcomes of the original GI Bill was how home mortgages became much more accesible since veterans were offered low interest loans and no down-payment loans.

The GI Bill has gone through many revisions and changes over the decades. With each war, more and more veterans are using the benefits to get access to higher education.

Overall, the GI Bill of Rights or Servicemen Readjustment Act of 1944 was crucial not only to the US economy but to the world economy for decades to come. It created a suburban population that increased per capita consumption, was more educated and set the foundation for the move away from a manufacturing economy.

To find out more about the original GI Bill of Rights please click here.

Filed Under: Active Duty Benefits, GI Bill Information Tagged With: , ,

Lost GI Bill Benefits

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Eligibility

The GI Bill is a great benefit to have, if you meet the eligibility requirements.  This article will explain how to maximize your GI Bill benefits, so that you do not lose them. Any veteran that has served at least 90 days on active duty since September 10, 2001, and has received an honorable discharge can apply for GI Bill benefits.

In order to receive the full benefit, one must have served at least 36 months on active duty after September 10, 2001.  If you do not meet the service requirements for the full benefit, do not worry as you may still qualify for a portion of it.  The following chart from gibill.va.gov explains GI Bill eligibility:

 Member Serves

Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable
At least 36 months

100%
At least 30 continuous days on active duty and must be discharged due to service-connected disability

100%
At least 30 months, but less than 36 months

90%
At least 24 months, but less than 30 months

80%
At least 18 months, but less than 24 months

70%
At least 12 months, but less than 18 months

60%
At least 06 months, but less than 12 months

50%

Time Limitations

With the Montgomery GI Bill, you have 10 years from your discharge date to use the benefits.  The Post 9/11 GI Bill gives you 15 years from the date of your discharge to use benefits.  It is important to know that you must complete your degree within this time, or you will have to apply for an extension if you meet the requirements.

Service Academy and ROTC Graduates

Officers who graduated from a Service Academy, or received a ROTC scholarship can still apply for GI Bill benefits.  Although service obligations incurred from a Service Academy or ROTC do not count towards the 3 year service requirement needed to receive full GI Bill benefits.

What’s Next?

To have the Department of Veterans Affairs determine your eligibility, visit gibill.va.gov and complete the Veterans On-line Application (VONAPP).  In the meantime, continue reading this site, as more articles explaining your GI Bill benefits in depth are to come.

 

Filed Under: Active Duty Benefits, Benefits Tagged With: ,

What is the Ebenefits System

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Martin Ventura

Gateway to Benefits [1] [2] [3]

Accessing benefits can appear overwhelming, with numerous websites to navigate, and many logins and passwords to remember. eBenefits eliminates the hassle by acting as a gateway to benefits. eBenefits is a single sign-on, central access point to online benefits and related services.

eBenefits is a joint service through the Veterans Administration and the Department of Defense that consolidates processes such as the ability to:

• Apply for benefits.
• Download DD214.
• View status of benefits.
• Download VA letters
• Transfer Post-9/11 education benefits.
• Update direct deposit and contact information.
• Apply for VA home loan certificate.
• Link to sites that provide information on benefits.

A complete list of features can be found on the eBenefits Features List.

eBenefits Users [4] [5]

eBenefits is designed to serve veterans, service members, and their families. The concept for a benefits portal was established by executive order in 2007 to assist wounded, injured, and ill service members, veterans, their families, and their caregivers in accessing military benefits and services.

The basic eligibility requirements for registration with eBenefits are:

• You must be registered in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) to be eligible for a DS Logon.
• You must have a DS Logon (DoD Self-Service Logon) to log in to eBenefits.
• For a Basic DS Logon you can apply online through eBenefits.
• For a Premium DS Logon you must verify your identity in person.

eBenefits Accounts [6]

eBenefits is available to users through a Basic Account and a Premium Account. The Basic Account is easy to obtain but offers limited access to features. Basic Account holders will still be able to check for eligibility of benefits and apply for benefits through the Veterans Online Application (VONAPP). The Premium Account offers the highest level of access to features but requires in-person verification of identity at a VA Regional Office or TRICARE Service Center.

Some features exclusive to the Premium Account are the ability to:

• Check your compensation and pension claims status.
• Check your payment history.
• View your TRICARE health information.
• Obtain your Civil Service Preference Letter, Service Verification Letter, and more.
• Obtain your DD-214 and other military records.

Check the Account Comparison Chart for an overview of accounts.

Registration

eBenefits is the future of military benefits and services online and is:

• A single sign-on, central access point to online benefits and related services.
• Available to veterans, service members, and their families.
• Available in Basic Account and Premium Account formats.

Access to a world of health services and education benefits is only a step away, so
register now.

______________________________________________________________________________
[1] Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, “eBenefits.” 20 Dec. 2011

[2] Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, “About eBenefits.” 20 Dec. 2011

[3] Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, “Features List.” 20 Dec. 2011

[4] Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, “Registration Requirements.” 20 Dec. 2011
< https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal?_nfpb=true&_nfxr=false&_pageLabel=RegistrationRequirements>

[5] Department of Defense, “DoD Self-Service Access Center.” 20 Dec. 2011

[6] Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, “Account Comparison.” 20 Dec. 2011
< https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal?_nfpb=true&_nfxr=false&_pageLabel=AccountComparison>

Department of Veterans Affairs, “VONAPP.” 30 Dec. 2011
< http://www.gibill.va.gov/apply-for-benefits/application/

Filed Under: Active Duty Benefits, Benefits, DEA, REAP, Spouse Benefits, VEAP Tagged With: , , , ,

GI Bill on the job training benefits

December 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

On-The-Job Training & Apprenticeship

By Martin Ventura

Earn While You Learn [1]

Gaining experience while earning an income is a key component of the military. The Veterans Administration (VA) recognizes this and has extended its education benefits program to incorporate this facet of learning. Veterans and their dependents now have the opportunity to continue their education and gain work experience through the On-The-Job & Apprenticeship Training program.

On-the-job training and apprenticeships offer benefits not found in traditional classroom settings:

  • Learn in a real-world setting from experienced employers.
  • Participate in programs that range from 6 months to 2 years.
  • Receive certification or journeyman status upon completion.

On-the-job training and apprenticeships provide the freedoms to learn with the security of earning a salary:

  • Salary is paid directly by the employer or union.
  • Salary increases as skill level increases.
  • GI Bill payments supplement salary income.

Choose from a list of employers in industries such as:

  • Air traffic control
  • Law enforcement
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Construction
  • Fire fighting

A complete list of participating employers in your area can be found by using the Weams Institution Search.

Employers Gain

On-the-job training and apprenticeships allow employers and students to work towards a common goal.

Employers benefit by having:

  • An ever growing pool of proven employees to recruit from.
  • Loyal employees due to federally supplemented incomes.
  • Security from forecasted terms of commitment under program requirements.
  • Dedicated training, which maximizes efficiency of learning and productivity.

Employers wanting to participate in the program may do so by contacting their State Approving Agency.

Apply

Applying for the program can be done using the Veterans Online Application (VONAPP). The process is simple by following the VA prescribed “Road Map for Success.”

Step 1: Determine the best benefit for you to use

Step 2: Collect the required paperwork and information

Step 3: Choose a school by searching for participating schools in your area

Step 4: Compare the programs to

Step 5: Apply online using VONAPP

______________________________________________________________________________

[1] United States Department of Veterans Affairs, “On-The-Job & Apprenticeship Training.” 11 Dec. 2011 <http://www.gibill.va.gov/resources/education_resources/programs/on_the_job_apprenticeship_training.html>

<http://inquiry.vba.va.gov/weamspub/buildSearchInstitutionCriteria.do>

<http://www.nasaa-vetseducation.com/contacts/default.aspx>

<http://www.gibill.va.gov/apply-for-benefits/application/>

<http://www.gibill.va.gov/resources/benefits_resources/benefit_comparison_tools.html>

<http://www.gibill.va.gov/resources/education_resources/choosing_a_school.html>

<http://www.gibill.va.gov/resources/benefits_resources/rate_tables.html>

<https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal?_nfpb=true&_portlet.async=false&_pageLabel=ebenefits_myeb_vonapp1>

<http://www.gibill.va.gov/apply-for-benefits/road-map/2-collect-your-information.html>

Filed Under: Benefits, GI Bill Information Tagged With: , , , ,

What is the Yellow Ribbon Program?

December 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

What is the Yellow Ribbon Program?

If you are planning on attending college using the GI Bill, then you may already know that rising tuition costs makes getting an education expensive.  What you may not know is that the Yellow Ribbon Program is an asset to help fund your education and offset expenses.  The Yellow Ribbon Program was created in 2008 by the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act.

How does the Yellow Ribbon Program work?

With the Yellow Ribbon Program, schools work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer you an opportunity to earn a degree at no cost to you.  The way this works is a school will agree to pay tuition and fees that are above the highest in-state public undergraduate tuition.  With the Yellow Ribbon Program a school will agree to pay a specific amount of expenses, and the VA will match that amount.

As of August 1, 2011 the Post 9/11 GI Bill will cover all public in-state tuition and fees, or no more than $17,500 a year for a private school.  Let’s say you plan on attending a private, graduate, or out-of-state school where tuition is higher than what is covered by the GI Bill.  If your tuition is $1,400 a semester, and your school agrees to pay $700 under the Yellow Ribbon Program, then the VA will also pay $700.  In other words, you won’t have to pay anything in tuition out of pocket.  However if your tuition for the semester is $1,400, and your school along with the VA agrees to pay $600, then you will have to pay the remaining $200.

Eligibility

There are certain eligibility requirements that determine if the Yellow Ribbon Program is available to you.  First and foremost you need to be enrolled in an institution that is participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program.  Active duty service members are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.  The Yellow Ribbon Program is available to you if:

  • You have at least 36 months of aggregate service on active duty after September 10, 2001.
  • You have an honorable discharge with a service connected disability, and have served at least 30 days on active duty after September 10, 2001.
  • You are a dependent using GI Bill benefits transferred from a service member.

How to apply

If you are unsure if your school is a Yellow Ribbon Program participant, click here to check the Department of Veterans Affairs website for your school.  You can also find out what the highest in-state public undergraduate tuition rate is for your state by visiting www.gibill.va.gov.[1]  If you are ready to apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program, start by visiting your School Certifying Official to help claim your benefits.

 


[1]           “The Yellow Ribbon Program.” Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site | The Home for All Educational Benefits Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Filed Under: GI Bill Information Tagged With: , , ,

Veteran Unemployment on the Rise

November 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Veterans face rising unemployment in the midst of the economic recession.

At a time when Americans are in the midst of an economic recession and high unemployment, one group is suffering most of all – military veterans. While the situation is starting to improve for many others, the outlook for Gulf War II veterans (those who have been on active duty since 2001) is actually getting worse.

Veterans currently face an unemployment rate of 12.1 percent, compared to a national average of 9 percent. For 18-24 year olds, the rate is 30.4 percent – an 18 percent increase since October 2010 – and black veterans of the same age face a staggering 48%. 18-24 year old non-veterans, on the other hand, have actually seen an improvement in their unemployment rate – 15.3 percent, up from 16.9 percent the previous year.

Younger veterans face a worse unemployment situation than those 35 years old and up, and the gap between the age groups’ rates has grown since 2008. Given the struggling economy, this indicates that younger veterans will increasingly fall behind their non-veteran peers.

Several factors are involved in this gap between younger veterans and non-veterans. Younger veterans have typically joined the service right after high school, causing them to miss out on education and work experience that non-veterans take advantage of. Many veterans also hail from rural or economically disadvantaged areas; while joining the service provided them a better financial option than they may have had at home, it leaves them with even fewer options when they return to these areas after overseas tours. The competitive nature of the current job market punishes those who have been out of work the longest, and many employers do not consider military service “workplace” experience.

Perhaps the biggest factor is job-related skills; the greatest amount of current hiring is in industries requiring specialized education, while the least job growth is in blue-collar professions. Even veterans with skills that should translate to the workplace, such as IT or electronics, may not have the specialized training required by employers, such as software companies or internet startups. Military jobs that have a direct civilian counterpart, such as truck drivers or medics, may still require licensing and certification that veterans will not have earned while serving.

Recent draw-downs of overseas troops and federal budget cuts are bringing more and more service members back home and into this dire situation. In order to keep up with their civilian peers, younger veterans must focus on earning higher education, training, and certifications that will provide them the specialized skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce. Employers must also make it a priority to hire greater numbers of current and former service members. Those who have served our country deserve the same opportunities as everyone else. They fight for our freedom – isn’t that worth a helping hand?

Filed Under: Active Duty Benefits, GI Bill Information, GI Bill News Tagged With:

2011 BAH Rate Calculator Launched

November 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Good news everyone, we have just launched our BAH – Basic Housing Allowance Calculator on our site MilitaryOnlineEducation.org today.

Simply enter in your zip code, pay grade and that is it. Simple! Make sure to share this with your friends and bookmark it.

BAH Calculator Updated: 19/06/2013

YEAR: DUTY ZIP CODE: PAY GRADE:
     



Filed Under: Benefits, GI Bill Information Tagged With: , ,

Facebook and Veteran’s Day 2011 – 11/11/11

November 11, 2011 By

Veteran’s day is a day to remember and honor the individuals that serve our country.

It is heart breaking to hear about the various families which have been torn apart and the families may have to spend the holidays without a member of their family.

It is also a refreshing day to hear the stories of family members coming home to see kids that have grown and to taste home cooking again.

Veteran’s day has become a lot of things to a lot of people and sites like Facebook and Twitter I think make the day mean less in some ways. Personally I struggle with the fact that a short 140 character post is supposed to accurately convey our feelings towards our service members.

I think to a lot of people it means you are thinking of our service members but why just think it? Why not get out there today and give a service member a true greeting. Like – welcome back! or Thank you! or perhaps the best greeting you can give a service member is – “I will hire you.”

On a day filled with emotion and significance, please don’t let technology undermine the most basic of human skills – person to person communication. Make a point to meet your service members in person and allow them to be part of civilian life again.

On this day, MilitaryOnlineEducation.org would like to say “we are hiring veterans!”

If you are interested in writing for us, please send us an email at contactus@militaryonlineeducation.org.

Filed Under: Benefits, GI Bill Information Tagged With: ,
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