Question about the new 2009 GI bill - please help!!

Question

my fiance has been out of the marines since 04 and has used some but not all of his current GI bill. If he continues to use the current money for school will he still be eligible for the new GI bill that is going in to effect in August 2009?

Answer 1

I'm in a similar situation and I have already called the VA so some of these people don't know what they are talking about.  Yes he will be able to use any of the time he has left with the new GI Bill.  He will have to contact the VA and let them know that he wants to use the new GI Bill.  If he does not contact them then they will keep him in the current GI Bill.  Also the rate has nothing to do with the years he was in, the VA raises the rates each year and he will get the new rates.  The new GI Bill does have clauses in it to determine the percentage of tuition the VA will be paid which deals with the amount of time he was still in.  What he has to do is go to the VA website and compare what he would get with the new plan verses what he is already getting.  It might benefit him to stay with the old plan.  Also as the VA reads the new GI Bill, in order for him to receive the money for housing he must live in the same zip code as the school.  I have a feeling this will change since all the details are not out on the new bill.  

Answer 2

He's only allowed GI Bill rates of the year he enlisted.  New rates, like 09 don't apply to him.

And yes, you have 10 years to use the bill or lose it.

Check into your states veteran grant program.  Here in Illinois, all vets who were resident of Illinois at the time of enlistment are eligible for a 4 year free tuition scholarship to any state run university, community college and vocation programs.  This isn't limited to Illinois only, I've  heard other states have the program too.  

This frees up your GI bill or college fund for more education or if you want to double dip now.

Answer 3

If he is GI Bill eligible yes.  We have 10 years from date of seperation or retirement to use our GI Bill benefits.  He can go to any VA accredited college, school or it even pays for some on he job training programs.  Go to the VA web site

Answer 4

NO.  you have to be currently in any branch of the military to use the new GI Bill, and then you will have to served three yrs of active duty since 9/11.

so your "husband" is DQ"d from the new benefits and will have to continue using the GI Bill that he signed up for.

Answer 5

VA website