The GI Bill Wire
2010
by Patrick Campbell
The VA failed to make the August 1st deadline to publish the new tuition and fees reimbursement chart – and has dropped the ball yet again. Hundreds of thousands of veterans, preparing to start school in the fall, will have no idea how much of their tuition the new GI Bill benefits will cover.
2010
by Patrick Campbell
After months of pressure from IAVA, the VA announced to the Army Times last week that they will be cutting checks to veterans for underpaid living allowances sometime this August.
2010
by Patrick Campbell
Sixty-six years ago this week, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the original WW II GI Bill. This bold legislation helped over 8 million combat veterans attend school. These veterans are now revered as “The Greatest Generation.”
by Patrick Campbell
Considering going to school on the Post-9/11 GI Bill? Beginning this Thursday, IAVA will hold "Office Hours" inside our online social network Community of Veterans to help answer your questions about the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Click here to learn more.
by Tim Embree
Going to vocational school, or serving in the National Guard? Watch this quick video update from IAVA Legislative Associate Tim Embree on a comprehensive upgrade package for the Post-9/11 GIBill just introduced by Senator Daniel Akaka, chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and how it will impact you.
by Patrick Campbell
Starting today and going through May 6th, the Veteran Success Jam brings together student veterans, campus leaders and other key influencers from colleges across the country to discuss and develop real solutions to issues facing student veterans. This cutting edge, crowd sourcing discussion will cover topics range from the new GI Bill to the transfer of military service into college credit and your opinion matters and will result in solid recommendations for change.
2010
by Patrick Campbell
Have a webcam and 30 seconds to help a fellow vet? We're creating a short web video featuring IAVA Member Veterans who are using or plan to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill. And we want to hear from you.
by Patrick Campbell
Today, IAVA member veteran and Columbia University student Marco Reininger delivered a powerful testimony before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on behalf of the quarter of a million students using the new GI Bill.
by Patrick Campbell
Chairman Akaka of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs started his opening statement with some good news during a hearing on the implementation of the new GI Bill today.
by Patrick Campbell
Earlier this week Army Times reported that the VA wasunderpaying new GI Bill benefits.The VA had not increased the monthly living allowance to match the new military housing rates that changed on January 1st, as the law requires them to. After months of pressure from IAVA, the VA has announced that they will retroactively pay the higher living allowance rates.
by Patrick Campbell
On April 1st, nearly 6,000 student veterans discovered that the VA had mistakenly withheld up to $500 from their GI Bill checks. Unfortunately, this was not an April Fools’ prank.
by Patrick Campbell
We are hearing from some of our members that the VA’s recoupment of the $3,000 emergency checks got off to a rocky start this week. Just last night we received a number of complaints from veterans that although they set up repayment plans with the VA they were still charged the full $750/month.
2010
by Patrick Campbell
The VA just relaunched their new GI Bill website. It is easier to use and has more GI Bill resources than before. The completely redesigned gibill.va.gov highlights key information such as “Finding a School,” “Applying for Benefits,” and a “Submit a Question” feature all in a simple to use manner.
2010
by Patrick Campbell
The VA is now accepting applications for colleges to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. In order for a school to participate they must submit a Yellow Ribbon Program Agreement form to the VA by May 21st, 2010. The VA publishes a list of yellow ribbon schools each year.
2010
by Paul Rieckhoff
IAVAis in California this week, checking in with veteran members in San Francisco, LA, San Diego and then off to Texas, all huge veteran hubs, but we wanted to give a quick update on where things stand with the new G.I. Bill.
by Patrick Campbell
On Thursday, March 4th, a subcommittee of the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) is set to vote on a number of GI Bill upgrade recommendations, including one of IAVA’s top legislative priorities: living allowances for distance learners (H.R. 950, Living Allowances for Distance Learners).
2010
by Patrick Campbell
On Thursday, IAVALegislative Associate Tim Embree testified in front of the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, asking Congress to approve several key new GI Bill upgrades.
2010
by Patrick Campbell
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that it will launch a nationwide GI Bill advertising campaign to spread the good word about GI Bill benefits. Over the next two months they will be running ads in student newspapers, web banners on social media sites and even putting up "good ole" posters and flyers.
by Tom Tarantino
Are you a new student on the Post 9/11 GI Bill or a second semseter veteran? Click here for a mid-semester update about the claims backlog, emergency payments, new financial aide rules and a rise in tuition benefits that may impact you.
2010
by Patrick Campbell
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with questions about the new Post-9/11 GI Bill will again be able to get help by phone five days a week starting Thursday. Click here for more details.
2010
by Patrick Campbell
Today, Military Times reported that the Veterans Affairs Department is seeking to recoup $3,000 emergency payments sent last year to about 72,000 veterans whose Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits were delayed — including some active-duty members who were not supposed to get the checks. Click here to read more.
2010
by Tom Tarantino
MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show quoted IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff during its assessment of the shortcomings with the implementation of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The program cited recent news that almost 90 percent of veterans calling the VA’s education benefits call center were never connected to an operator and spotlighted IAVA’s concern over this latest development. Watch the full clip here.
2010
by Tom Tarantino
Earlier this month the VA launched a campaign to aggressively address the GI Bill backlog and has to date processed payment for 72,000 veterans this term. That is more than half of all the claims they processed last fall, and in a lot less time.
2010
by Patrick Campbell
Whether you are a new student fresh to the Post-9/11 GI Bill or a seasoned 2nd semester veteran, here are some actionable intel on how to make your next term go smoothly.
by Tom Tarantino
One click. One big win. It's that easy. IAVA is in the running to win up to $1 million in grants in the Chase Community Giving Challenge, a competition on Facebook. If we get enough votes to win, we're going to use the money to bolster our work helping vets use the new G.I. Bill.
by Tom Tarantino
The VA has adjusted the tuition and fee caps for the Post 9/11 GI Bill for the Spring semester to reflect changing tuition and fee charges across the county. Six states are changing their tuition and fee rates and veterans in theses six states will find their benefits change. To see if you are impacted, check IAVA’s updated calculator here.
by Patrick Campbell
The Department of Defense just released their new Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) rates for 2010, which will have a profound effect on Post 9/11 GI Bill living allowance benefits. Click here for details on this breaking development.
by Tom Tarantino
On December 4th, IAVA Policy Associate Tom Tarantino testified before the House Veterans Affairs subcommittee on Economic Opportunity to address issues with the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Watch video highlights from his testimony here.
by Patrick Campbell
The average processing time for Post 9/11 GI Bill claims by the VA has continued to grow and now is just shy of 7 weeks per claim (48 days). This is up from an average of 28 days back in August and 35 days last month. Click here for more details on how this could affect you.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
In preparation for another round of GI Bill claims this upcoming Spring the VA has asked outside contractors to submit proposals on how they could assist the VA in accelerating the processing of GI Bill claims. Learn more about this development here.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
Representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have announced they will be telephoning Veterans across the country to explain their education benefits under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill and ensure beneficiaries are able to receive payments due them. Click here to learn more.
by Patrick Campbell
The VA has released a new YouTube video explaining how student veterans can take advantage of emergency funding if they have not yet received their Post-9/11 GI Bill checks the mail. If you have not received your Post 9/11 benefits yet, IAVA recommends that you apply to take part in this emergency program. Watch the video to learn more.
by Patrick Campbell
On Thursday, the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee responsible for oversight of the GI Bill held another hearing on Post-9/11 GI Bill implementation. The VA stated “that any delay is unacceptable” and outlined their process to automate the Post-9/11 GI Bill claims system. IAVA submitted testimony with recommendations that included better outreach, reassessing current staffing levels and upgrading the Post 9/11 GI Bill itself. Click here to read the testimony submitted by IAVA's Chief Legislative Counsel PatrickCampbell.
by Patrick Campbell
Delayed GI Bill check? On Tuesday, VA Assistant Secretary Tammy Duckworth took to YouTube to explain the process for obtaining VA education benefit advance payments. Click here to watch her video.
by Tom Tarantino
Earlier today, IAVA received a report from the VA that as of Saturday the VA has issued 14,301 GI Bill relief checks in person at VA regional offices and has received 10,605 requests online from student veterans. The online requests should be processed in three days plus at least three days for delivery. Click here for more details.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
The VA has responded and some relief may be in sight. Over the last week, IAVA has put significant pressure on the VA to get delayed GI Bill payments out to students. After hearing from us and from veterans across the country who were struggling because of delayed payments, they're instituting a stop-gap measure.
by Patrick Campbell
Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued a statement in response to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcement it will expand outreach to student veterans eligible for up to $3,000 in special emergency payments of their GI Bill education benefits. Starting Oct. 2nd, student veterans can apply online at www.va.gov for emergency payments or request free transportation to the nearest VA benefits office to submit their claim. Click here to read more.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff recently talked to CNN about the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) decision to authorize checks for up to $3,000 for students who have applied for educational benefits but have not yet received their government payment. Click here to watch the interview.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
We just received word from the VA headquarters in Washington, DC that they will be issuing emergency checks for veterans who qualify for the new GI Bill. Click here to read their statement.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
Facing delays in VA tuition payments to your college or university? Click here to watch an important video blog about navigating the GI Bill process.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
IAVA Member Veteran Jeff Kohler recently spoke to Fox News in Columbus, Ohio about his frustration waiting for GI Bill tuition checks to kick-in from the Department of Veterans Affairs and how delays are forcing some fellow student veterans to dip into savings or take on more credit card debt. Click here to watch.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
IAVA Executive Director and Founder Paul Rieckhoff sat down with CNN Newsroom today to discuss the delay of payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the colleges and universities of student veterans pursuing their education on the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. Click here to watch.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued the following statement in response to the delay of payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the colleges and universities attended by student veterans pursuing their education on the new Post-9/11 GI Bill:
2009
by Patrick Campbell
IAVA has endorsed four pieces of legislation that will help upgrade the Post 9/11 GI Bill and help achieve our goal of a simple, equitable and generous GI Bill for all veterans.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
Post 9/11 GI Bill claims will take on average a month to process, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Friday. From the date a school certifies a veteran’s enrollment to the VA, it takes the VA an average of 28 days to process a payment to the veteran. Processing for the old Montgomery GI Bill has slowed to over 38 days, more than double of last year’s processing time.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
Check out IAVA Member Veteran Aubrey Arcangel's GIBill story and then click here to find out how to submit yours.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
Missed it? On Thursday, VA SecretaryEric Shinseki took to the blogosphere to highlight the economic returns the new Post-9/11 GI Bill will have for our country.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
Earlier this week the VA announced that they reached a deal with the state of California that would help student veterans attending private schools get up to $8,610 more per year toward their education costs. Due to the fact that Post 9/11 GI Bill tuition benefits are based on the most expensive tuition for public schools in each state and that California has traditionally not charged tuition, the VA was originally going to give veterans $0/credit toward their tuition costs.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
Today, the VA issued a critical decision that will help tens of thousands of new veterans attend colleges in California. IAVA led the fight for this fix and we are pleased to see such a prompt and positive response. Click here to read our statement.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
Last night, I sat down with BBC World News America to discuss the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and where it has come since the first bill was passed in 1944. These new benefits will help the next Greatest Generation secure an education. To watch the interview, click here.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
Yesterday, I joined President Obama, VA Secretary Shinseki, Members of Congress and IAVA Member Veterans at a celebration for the new GI Bill, which went into effect on Saturday. With over 125,000 veterans already signed up for the benefit, this is the week we begin building a new generation of American leaders.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
Today, August 1st, we as a country renew our social contract with our men and women in uniform. We have made them a promise that if they serve their country, we will serve them by sending them to college and securing an education as their full time job. This is the same promise we made to our grandfathers who fought in World War II and Korea, and I have no doubt this new Post-9/11 GI Bill that officially went into effect at midnight last night will help build the next greatest generation.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
Planning on going to college? Or know a veteran who is? Watch this special message from long-time IAVA supporter and NBC "Heroes" Star Milo Ventimiglia to learn more about IAVA's NewGIBill.org and spread the word to friends and family!
by Patrick Campbell
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is honored to offer our support for H.R. 950, a bill that will grant veterans, pursuing their education through distance learning, a living allowance under the new Post 9/11 GI Bill.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
Following months of requests, the Department of Veterans Affairs finally released a new video today outlining how the Post-9/11 GI Bill will benefit recently returning veterans. Click here to watch.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
Two major announcements regarding transferring of Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits were made last week. First, the President signed into law the war supplemental bill which extends Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to the children of servicemembers killed on active duty. Second, the Department of Defense issued finals rules regarding transfer of education benefits. Click here for more details.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
California veterans attending one of California’s 277 private colleges will be surprised to learn that they will receive $0 toward their tuition next year under the Post 9/11 GI bill, while veterans at other heavily populated states like Texas and New York can attend almost any private school for free because they will receive $1,330 and $970/credit respectfully.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
IAVA is pleased to see that the VA adopted many of our recommended changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill regulations. The recently published final regulations addressed over half of IAVA’s top concerns, and will ensure thousands of dollars in savings to veterans who will be using this new benefit. Click here to read the final regulations.
by Patrick Campbell
Today, IAVA submitted a letter to VA Secretary General Eric Shinseki to address a growing stream of questions and concerns from Iraq and Afghanistan veterans about the VA's preliminary tuition and fee caps for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The VA’s interpretation of the law, coupled with poor communication to veterans, is proving both unfair and confusing.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
The new GI Bill is intended to give every Iraq and Afghanistan veteran access to an affordable college education, but the VA’s recently-issued regulations have made the benefit confusing and unfair. Click here to read more details.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
The VA is poised to implement the new GI Bill on August 1st, less than 200 days from now. But there have been several recent developments with the implementation of the program that are worth the attention of anyone planning to use the new GI Bill, or anyone who cares that veterans get the education benefits they have earned.
by Patrick Campbell
Due to the transitory life style of many service members, some unlucky veterans may not meet educational residency requirements, and will be penalized for their service according to rules outlined by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Click here to learn more.
2009
by Patrick Campbell
The new “Post-9/11” GI Bill makes college affordable for 1.7 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, but a number of technical fixes are necessary in 2009 to maximize the GI Bill’s effectiveness.
by Patrick Campbell
Unlike most of the work we do here at IAVA, I have spent the past couple of months training a new cadre of front line aides who will assist in the implementation of the Post 9/11 GI bill. These new GI Bill experts are financial aid administrators at schools across the country, many of whom are a veteran’s only source of information on available education benefits.
2008
by Tom Tarantino
Winning the fight to pass the Post 9/11 GI Bill was a huge legislative victory for IAVA and veterans as a whole. Many inside and outside the system doubted that it would happen, but a cadre of dedicated individuals from IAVA, VFW, Student Veterans and The Military Coalition kept hammering away at congress to ensure that America keeps its promise to veterans.
