Post 9/11 G.I. Bill
NOTE: In some circumstances, MGIB Ch. 30 may provide better benefits than the new Post 9/11 GI Bill program. VA and OCC are urging persons eligible for education benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill and other programs to consider carefully which program is best for them.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, the veteran must have served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after September 10, 2001, and is still on active duty or was:
· honorably discharged from active duty; or
· released from active duty and placed on the retired list or temporary disability retired list; or
· released from active duty and transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve; or
· released from the active duty for further service in a reserve component of the Armed Forces; or
· honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001.
Entitlement
· Generally, you may receive up to 36 months of benefits.
· Deliminating date becomes 15 years from date of last discharge or release from last period of active duty service of at least 90 continuous days. If you were released for a service-connected disability after at least 30 days of continuous service, you will also be eligible for benefits for 15 years.
· If an individual is relinquishing Chapter 30 benefits, then the entitlement will be equal to the number of remaining months of Chapter 30 benefits.
· An individual who has exhausted all Chapter 30 benefits may be eligible for up to 12 months of Post 9/11 benefits.
· Veterans with ‘General’ under Character of Service (on DD Form 214), may receive benefits for time they had honorable service.
· Transfer of Entitlement: transferor and individual using transferred entitlement are jointly liable for any overpayments of any Chapter 33 benefits. Complete VA From 1990e after transfer of entitlement has been issued by DoD.
Benefits
Based on your length of active duty service, you are entitled to a percentage of the following:
· Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education (paid to school);
· Basic Allowance for Housing:
· Monthly housing allowance* equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as your school (paid to student).
· Prorated based on the percent of the maximum benefit payable.
· Monthly housing stipend for OCC zip code at 100% entitlement is up to $2,152.00.
· Increases are made every January of each year.
· Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year (paid to student). Stipend is split between two semesters and paid at the beginning of each term; and
· A one-time payment of $500 paid to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas.
· The Yellow Ribbon Program is only available to those individuals who are 100% eligible for Chapter 33 benefits. (Note: Orange Coast College does not participate in the Yellow-Ribbon program)
*NOTE: The housing allowance and books and supplies stipend are not payable to individuals on active duty. The housing allowance is not payable to students pursuing training at half time (6 units) or less, or to students enrolled in distance learning only, or to students enrolled only in online classes.
|
Individuals serving an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of: |
Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable |
|
At least 36 months |
100% |
|
At least 30 continuous days and discharged due to service-connected disability |
100% |
|
At least 30 months < 36 months |
90% |
|
At least 24 months < 30 months |
80% |
|
At least 18 months < 24 months |
70% |
|
At least 12 months < 18 months |
60% |
|
At least 6 months < 12 months |
50% |
|
At least 90 days < 6 months |
40% |
·
Fall 2009 Timeline for Certification
May 1 – VA will be accepting applications for Certificates of Eligibility.
July 6 – VA will begin processing claims for Fall 2009.
Aug 3 – OCC will certify all students enrolled in summer session to insure
the continuance of break pay, followed by new and continuing students.
Aug 3 – VA will send out book stipend for students who have been certified by their schools.
Sept 1 – VA will begin sending out partial BAH for August attendance ($71.73 at 100%).
Sept – Last day for refunds. OCC reports adds/drops to VA and everyone 30 days thereafter.
Certificate of Eligibility & Tuition & Fees Deferral
Students who apply for the Post 9/11 GI Bill and are found eligible will receive a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA. Students must submit a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility to OCC Veterans Services. In addition, students must complete a Veterans Tuition & Fees Deferral Request and submit it to OCC Veteran Services. Doing so will ensure students will not be dropped from their classes for non-payment.
**When an individual fails or withdraws from a course(s) and does not substantiate mitigating circumstances, the individual will be charged an overpayment equal to the amount of ALL educational assistance paid for that course(s).
For additional information, visit OCC’s Veterans Center
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#CH33
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