thedrifter
01-23-09, 08:30 AM
Post 9/11 GI Bill: new brief helps station Marines decide if it's best for them
Story by Cpl. M. Daniel Sanchez, Desert Warrior Staff
The station education center is offering a monthly brief to help service members decide which education benefits plan best fits their academic goals.
The brief focuses on explaining the differences between the Post 9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008 or "New GI Bill," as it is commonly referred to by Marines, and the Montgomery GI Bill.
"There has been such an influx of interest in the new Montgomery GI bill, and not just active duty, but spouses and dependents also," said Kim Baars, station education services officer.
"The class was put together so those eligible to use them can make an educated choice on which one to use."
The next class is scheduled for Feb. 3 and will also answer commonly asked and situation-specific questions, said Cindy Harris, education services specialist who will present the brief.
"Most of the confusion is about transferring benefits to dependents," said Harris. "A lot of people think they can transfer them right away. They don't understand there are requirements that go along with that."
Harris was referring to the requirement that calls service members to serve or have served on active duty for at least six years and sign on for an additional four years of service before they can transfer the education benefits to their dependents.
Marines also think they will receive Basic Allowance for Housing for taking college courses, regardless of how they take classes and the number of credits they are enrolled for, said Harris.
"If they are taking classes online, they won't qualify for BAH with the new bill," said Harris.
Service members must also be enrolled in school more than half time, which traditional universities and colleges consider more than six credit hours per semester, to receive the housing allowance, she added.
Harris also encourages Marines interested in attending to bring their specific educational goals to the brief to find out what plan would most benefit them.
The more information they have about what they want to do with their education the better, said Harris.
"They are going to want to consider if they plan on taking classes through distance learning, if they're going to school more than half time and consider how much the tuition is for their school," she added.
Although the brief is designed to provide Marines with the most recent information available, Harris urges Marines to check back often for updates.
"This is a whole new ball of wax," said Harris.
There is still information that has not been released, but the brief will cover the most current information available and be updated as it is released, said Harris.
People interested in the new GI Bill can also sign up for e-mail alerts through the Veterans Administration Web site, www.gibill.va.gov.
Marines who have talked with Harris about the new benefits plan agree it is something that helped them and will help other Marines decide what works best for them.
"Everybody pretty much knows how the GI Bill works, but the Post 9/11 is kinda new," said Cpl. Christopher Fisher, Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 military firefighter. "She explained it great. She also used both of them in different scenarios to show which one of them would benefit more."
Knowing which bill is best for each Marines' situation is important, said Harris.
"It's important because it may determine what college they will be able to go to," she said.
The briefs are slated to go the first Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. in the education center, room 108. To sign up for a brief, or make an individual appointment, Marines can contact Harris at 928-269-3589.
Ellie
Story by Cpl. M. Daniel Sanchez, Desert Warrior Staff
The station education center is offering a monthly brief to help service members decide which education benefits plan best fits their academic goals.
The brief focuses on explaining the differences between the Post 9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008 or "New GI Bill," as it is commonly referred to by Marines, and the Montgomery GI Bill.
"There has been such an influx of interest in the new Montgomery GI bill, and not just active duty, but spouses and dependents also," said Kim Baars, station education services officer.
"The class was put together so those eligible to use them can make an educated choice on which one to use."
The next class is scheduled for Feb. 3 and will also answer commonly asked and situation-specific questions, said Cindy Harris, education services specialist who will present the brief.
"Most of the confusion is about transferring benefits to dependents," said Harris. "A lot of people think they can transfer them right away. They don't understand there are requirements that go along with that."
Harris was referring to the requirement that calls service members to serve or have served on active duty for at least six years and sign on for an additional four years of service before they can transfer the education benefits to their dependents.
Marines also think they will receive Basic Allowance for Housing for taking college courses, regardless of how they take classes and the number of credits they are enrolled for, said Harris.
"If they are taking classes online, they won't qualify for BAH with the new bill," said Harris.
Service members must also be enrolled in school more than half time, which traditional universities and colleges consider more than six credit hours per semester, to receive the housing allowance, she added.
Harris also encourages Marines interested in attending to bring their specific educational goals to the brief to find out what plan would most benefit them.
The more information they have about what they want to do with their education the better, said Harris.
"They are going to want to consider if they plan on taking classes through distance learning, if they're going to school more than half time and consider how much the tuition is for their school," she added.
Although the brief is designed to provide Marines with the most recent information available, Harris urges Marines to check back often for updates.
"This is a whole new ball of wax," said Harris.
There is still information that has not been released, but the brief will cover the most current information available and be updated as it is released, said Harris.
People interested in the new GI Bill can also sign up for e-mail alerts through the Veterans Administration Web site, www.gibill.va.gov.
Marines who have talked with Harris about the new benefits plan agree it is something that helped them and will help other Marines decide what works best for them.
"Everybody pretty much knows how the GI Bill works, but the Post 9/11 is kinda new," said Cpl. Christopher Fisher, Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 military firefighter. "She explained it great. She also used both of them in different scenarios to show which one of them would benefit more."
Knowing which bill is best for each Marines' situation is important, said Harris.
"It's important because it may determine what college they will be able to go to," she said.
The briefs are slated to go the first Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. in the education center, room 108. To sign up for a brief, or make an individual appointment, Marines can contact Harris at 928-269-3589.
Ellie