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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: , , , ,

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: 24/05/2013

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: ,

Changes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill

November 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Changes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill: VA Tells Veterans What They Need to Know
VA has reached out to military students about their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, and how changes might affect them.

By Holly Regan

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made an effort to keep veterans informed of changes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill that took effect in August and October of 2011.

General Allison Hickey, Under Secretary for Benefits, stated the importance of keeping students up to date about the Post 9/11 GI Bill and how changes to it will affect them. The Post 9/11 GI Bill has paid out over $11.5 billion to over 537,000 students in the past two years, and is an important resource for military students pursuing higher education.

Several changes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill became effective August 1. These include paying the net cost of tuition and fees, instead of giving payments based off the highest tuition and fees for each state; paying private and foreign tuition at a maximum of $17,500 per year; paying private-school students in certain states the same benefits they received the previous year; and ending payments during selected breaks to maximize academic-year benefits.

More changes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill took effect October 1, 2011. These changes include allowing students to use their benefits for correspondence courses, on-the-job training, and non-college degrees; and paying a portion of the national monthly housing allowance to students who are enrolled in distance learning courses.

VA’s effort to reach out to military students and academic institutions has not only helped students stay informed on how to maximize their benefits, but has shown increased school participation in the Yellow Ribbon program. Over 2600 schools currently participate in this program, which helps military students avoid paying out-of-pocket costs that the Post 9/11 GI Bill does not cover.

Staying informed will continue to help military students understand their benefits, and utilize them to their fullest potential. For more information on the Post 9/11 GI Bill, visit the VA website.

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

Putting Figures Before Futures – House Republicans’ Budget Proposal Slashes Pell Grant Funding

October 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Proposed 2012 budget cuts the Pell Grant program, and reduces educational opportunities for minorities.

By Holly Regan

On September 29, 2011, House Republicans released a budget proposal for the 2012 fiscal year that would dramatically reduce funding for minority-serving colleges and universities, and would block enforcement of two controversial “integrity rules” set by the Department of Education. While less drastic than the changes proposed by the budget released in February, this version would substantially affect the future of current and prospective students.

While the maximum Pell Grant would remain at its current level of $5500, the House proposal would cut $2.3 billion from the program in the upcoming year. The cuts would primarily affect two groups of students: those who attend community colleges, and minorities.

Community college students tend to take longer to graduate, especially if they are transfer students, and many attend school less than half time. With the proposed cuts, those attending school less than half time would no longer be eligible for Pell Grant funding, and grants could only be used for 12 semesters, instead of the current 18.

Minority students would be hit particularly hard by the House Republicans’ proposal. It would eliminate programs for institutions that serve large numbers of African-American, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Alaskan Native, and Native American students, as well as for tribal colleges. Schools serving significant numbers of Hispanic students would face an 83% cut, and historically black schools would face a 36% cut.

Other blows to students and educational institutions include changes to income protection allowances, and a reduction in the income level that allows students an expected family contribution of zero. All national and community service programs, including AmeriCorps, would be eliminated, as would international/foreign language education programs.

Finally, two of the Department of Education’s “integrity rules” – those that hold institutions accountable for their program representation and that bar compensation for college recruiters – would be blocked.

It is unclear whether this version of the House Republicans’ budget will become law, but what is clear is that the proposed changes will significantly limit future educational opportunities. For the sake of our students, let’s hope this isn’t the last word.

Filed Under: Benefits, Resources

Natural Disasters and Financial Aid

October 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

This year has been a record year for natural disasters around the US. We have seen Earthquakes, floods, droughts, fire, hurricanes and tornadoes all across the country.

During any of these events many people lose all of their belongings. The pain is not only about losing memories, but trying to rebuild your life. You go from having a copy of your birth certificate, a passsport, a drivers license, a credit card to virtually nothing over night.

Replacing most of those items can be done but it takes time and hours in lines at various government agencies. One question we get is what happens to your financial aid loan if a natural disaster hits and destroys your home. Most likely your school or community was affected also.

For instance, if your school is gone, your home is gone, and you have an education loan, is there anything that can be done so you don’t have to pay back the loan?

You have a few options:

1) Your school may be able to place you into another school and transfer over your credits and loan

2) Your financial aid officer has the ability to make a “professional” decision to alter your costs at school – Make sure you explain your case clearly to them

3) Any application deadlines may be extended due to the disaster. But make sure you notify your school that you will be late.

4) You can apply for a leave of absence due to the disaster and this wont count as dropping out.

5) You may get a 3 month waiver on your loan payments if you are in a federally designated disaster area.

The good news is that there is some flexibility in your loan if things go horribly wrong. Make sure to read the two documents below!

 

Here are some good resources if your home has been affected by a natural disaster and you have an educational loan

Dept of Education official info on Disaster Assistance

Guidance for Disasters in Word Format

 

 

Filed Under: Benefits, Resources

Basic Housing Allowance – BAH Rates – 2011

September 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Basic Allowance for the Housing (BAH) benefit can help you pay for non-government living.

By Holly Regan

Housing is a fundamental part of anyone’s life. Service members face unique challenges when it comes to finding, and funding, housing. The Basic Allowance for Housing, or BAH, can be a very useful benefit – but the details may seem confusing. Militaryonlineeducation.org wants you to understand how you can be compensated. See the points below to help clear things up.

  • The BAH provides compensation for housing in U.S. civilian markets where government housing is not available
  • The BAH is a U.S.-based benefit that is based on several factors, including the service member’s physical location, pay grade, and number of dependents
  • The service member must be living in the United States, or a U.S. territory or possession
      • The Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) is available for service members who are stationed overseas, where government housing is not available
  • Effective January 1, 2011, the Department of Defense (DoD) released the 2011 BAH rates
      • The new rates will determine how much funding for living expenses a veteran going to college under the Post 9/11 GI Bill will receive
  • The pay rates of the BAH are based on costs of living in the local market where the service member resides, where U.S. government housing is not available
  • Rates are protected – money will never be lost, but may be gained
      • If BAH rates go down, the service member’s pay will remain the same; if rates go up, the member will receive the higher rate
      • As long as a service member’s location of duty, dependency status, and rank do not change, rate protection is in place
  • Depending on where the service member chooses to live, pay rates may not cover all living expenses
      • Six housing profiles, based on the type of dwelling and number of bedrooms in it, are used to estimate total costs of living. A profile is then matched with a service member’s living area to determine which rate to use
      • Rates are based on the median rental expenses, as well as the average costs of utilities, in the service member’s area; members can choose to live in more expensive or less expensive neighborhoods in the area

If you still have questions about the BAH and how it will affect you, click here for a list of frequently asked questions. You can also look up a list of BAH Non-Locality Rates and rates for all locations. Stay informed about your benefits so you can use them to their full potential!

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

Military Families: A Presidential Priority

September 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

President Barack Obama and his Administration pledge to focus on the needs of service members and their families.

By Holly Regan

This January, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced steps the Department of Education will take to support military families. These steps are part of President Barack Obama’s initiative to provide and enhance educational opportunities for service members, as well as for their children, spouses, and military veterans.

The initiative is partially based on feedback from military families, who have expressed concerns about educational support. It will affect “families of Active Duty and Reserve Component Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard members; Veterans; and those who have fallen”. [1]

The U.S. Department of Education has pledged to provide quality educational opportunities for children of service members, especially when the parent is deployed or the child is in between schools.

For the first time, the Department of Education will also favor applications for grant programs that address the needs of military students and their families. It has adapted the financial aid process to better suit the financial circumstances of military families, as well as Reserve and Guard members. These steps will ease the financial aid application process.

In response to President Barack Obama’s previous directive for more effective federal support of military families, the National Security Staff and Domestic Policy Council compiled a report. In Strengthening Our Military Families: Meeting America’s Commitment, four goals were outlined:

      • Enhance the well-being and psychological health of the military family.
      • Ensure excellence in military children’s education and their development.
      • Develop career and educational opportunities for military spouses.
      • Increase child care availability and quality for the armed forces.

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Dr. Jill Biden also announced almost 50 commitments of support from federal agencies.

Through these actions, President Obama is helping the federal government not only to provide better opportunities, but to show what an important part of the community military members and their families are. In response to their service and sacrifices, military families deserve access to life-changing opportunities, and deserve a voice in government.

 

[1] “Education Secretary Arne Duncan Will Make Educational Opportunities for Military Families a Priority as Part of Presidential Initiative”. Ed.gov. U.S. Department of Education, 24 January 2011. Web. 9 September 2011.

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