Do they take the summer break into account for the 36 months of the GI bill?

Question

I'm kind of confused about the new GI bill. I understand that they give you 36 months to use it becuase thats how many months it takes to get a four year degree. But do you have to use it for 36 months straight without taking a break or can you take a summer break in between school years since alot of colleges may not offer full time college for the summer. Any body know the answer to this??

Answer 1

the government doesn't change the rules to make it more convienient for you. its 36 months starting right when you get out.  

Answer 2

Unless they've changed something, it is paid by semester, so as you go from semester to semester you fill out the papers.

Answer 3

Yes.  That is why you get 36 months.  4 years times 9 months of school per year equals 36 months.

Talk to the Veterans rep on the campus you want to attend.

Right now you have 10 years from the date of last active duty service to use your benefits.

All of this is changing right now, though; due to the new Post 9-11 GI Bill.

Answer 4

NO!

Answer 5

No. It is not 36 months straight.  You can use your funds off and on as you wish. (upon VA approval) I accessed my funds in 2003 and have moved to 2 different states since, all gaps between my semesters with working full-time, to not working at all and attending school full-time.

USMC Vet 1998-2005

Answer 6

Every one of these answers is wrong.  The new bill will not go into effect until next year and will be published along with the transferability rules next year.  If you are not getting out your best bet is to take advantage of other programs while active and wait for the new rules to be finalized.  For more information see the site I listed.

Answer 7

The GI Bill only calculates how much time you actually spend in a program. They will not try to s***w you. For example, I was in an 18 month program, but I was only going half time....so it only took off 9 months from the 36 month total. I have since used it for another program and they have adjusted the months used accordingly.  

Answer 8

I am assuming that you are asking about the new Post 9/11 GI Bill that takes into effect in 2009.

You have 15 years after leaving active duty to use your benefits. You will be paid for a maximum of 36 months of actual class time. You can complete this by attending classes for 36 months straight without any summer break, or spread it out over 4 years to include a 3 month summer break each year. Or you can spread your classes out even longer, with longer breaks, just as long as you complete your studies before your 15 years expire.

I was eligible for an older version of the GI Bill. I had 10 years to use my 36 months of schooling not including summer breaks. I enrolled 4 years before my benefits expired. I finished on time by taking 9 months of classes plus 3 months of summer break each year for 4 years.

Answer 9

Any college that doesn't offer full-time summer programs is probably private, and the GI Bill wouldn't cover it, anyway.

Answer 10

You get paid from the GI Bill, only when you are a full time, or part time student.

If you take summers off, you don't get paid any money from the GI Bill.

You have to work, or live at home and provide for yourself.

Most people, go to school in the summers to, so they can graduate.

If they are not working somewhere.