Post-9/11 GI Bill Falls Flat
I’ve written a lot about the Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill. Most of it has been positive. I hailed the legislation as it worked itself from a campaign promise to reality under President Bush. But, then I read stuff like this:
Under the old bill, Chapter 30, the student must call a hot line on the last day of the month to certify that their status has not changed since the previous month. The payment is then sent to the student in seven to ten days. It has become a ritual for veteran students, a promise to see that beautiful deposit in a week’s time. But today, some who have submitted paperwork for Chapter 33 might find the certification for Chapter 30 a bit of a challenge. My school’s VA counselor assured a seamless transition – he told me those who were switching over would get paid for the months they already paid tuition for. Once again, someone forgot to forward the memo. Since my claim for Chapter 33 is still being processed, I’m locked out of Chapter 30. Even though I paid for the summer semester, I am not getting paid for August. My case is in limbo, familiar territory for the VA. My bills, on the other hand, are very clearly defined. They pile up as fast as the VA’s backlogs.
The VA counselors at my school buy salt in bulk to pour into the wounds of the students they are purported to serve. One in particular lambasts me whenever I call with a legitimate question regarding veteran benefits. With his trademark condescending tone, he sharply rebuked my questions about a delay in payments, suggesting that I should have been following the news of backlogged certifications, despite his assurance that the transition would not allow a payment disparity. Oh, to be tongue-lashed for not doing his job for him! He heartily laughed at my question of when to expect my next payment. In that brief moment, he acknowledged the absurdity of my situation – he didn’t know, and there is no way to find out. He could not even venture a guess but did not rule out weeks or even a month. The check is in the mail, I am told. That old line doesn’t work for my landlord, and it wouldn’t get past my utility company. But for the government agency responsible for the benefits going out to the men and women who have served this country in a time of war, with the basic sustenance of thousands of veterans in the balance, it’s business as usual.
Is this what we were promised? A lot of politicians patted themselves on the back when this was passed. We were told that this bill will recruit more quality troops. Secretary Shinseki said it will educate the next generation of problem solvers. The bill’s sponsor, Senator Webb (D-VA) called it an “historic victory” and said he was “confident” that the Pentagon and VA would work out any kinks. That was 13 months ago!
Now, our veterans are finding themselves having to decide whether they eat or pay their utility bill. They are facing eviction while sitting in limbo trying to figure out how to pay their huge tuition bill they were promised they wouldn’t have to worry about.
Where are the Military Officers Association of America, Partnership for Veterans Education, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of American, Iraq Veterans Against War, Student Veterans of America – all organizations that championed this bill – now that our vets are being hung out to dry?
yankeemom
September 1st, 2009 at 12:17 pmI have found in my years of listening to politicians, that when they start patting themselves on the back, it will not end up good for anyone but said politician.
Unfortunately, the benefits for our GIs have most always been “cash for clunkers” type of programs. Seems more the politicians talk, the less our Veterans get.
Okay, have to go calm down now.
Army Sergeant
September 1st, 2009 at 1:09 pmYou can’t praise Bush for getting it passed and castigate Webb for it not working well. There are problems, but you’re placing the blame in the wrong areas.
CJ
September 1st, 2009 at 3:34 pmArmy Sergeant, I’m confused. Where in this post did I either “praise Bush” OR “castigate Webb”? I did neither. The only people I’ve castigated are the so-called veterans organizations.
Kevin
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:46 amI am a veteran who is yet to receive my payment. From all the news articles I’ve been reading, I’m told that I should expect my money no later than Oct 1. That’s reassuring. Meanwhile, Alameda Co, California is taxing me at a ridiculous %9.75 for living on their great land, the same land my friends got shot for. Oh well…maybe I’ll just re-enlist. Until then, I’ll keep checking my bank account and crossing my fingers..that’ll be challenging.
David
September 7th, 2009 at 12:40 pmI am a veteran who filed my eligibility of enrollment paperwork with the VA who received it on June 17 and as of today September 7 have yet to process anything. When I’ve tried to call them normally I get that they are busy and then I am automatically hung up on. Once I finally do get through all they can say is 8 weeks to process. By my calculations that should’ve been 4 weeks ago seeing as I am going on my 12th week with no action from the VA. I have chosen to contact my congressman and have them look into it since the VA can not give me any concrete answer, of which at this point I believe I am entitled to.
Yvonne
September 8th, 2009 at 2:07 pmSo seriously, I am one of these vets who have been taken by the thought of a great program. I was very excited to start school again and be able to concentrate on that and only that. I paid for my tuition, I paid for my books, I turned in all of my paperwork in mid July like I was asked to do. But its not the VA who has dropped the ball on my or many other veterans going to Southwestern College in Chula Vista, Ca…its the school. I am told that I am next to be processed so i can get paid, well its been a week later and still not progress. I was also told that they are processing the paperwork in the order they got it. Well they are full of it because my friend turned his in August and his is already processed. What about me, seriously. I am on the verge of a nervous break down. Cared that my car will be repo., I will be evicted, elect. will be turned off, etc..
Many Vets are in the same boat as me and I feel for you. When I spoke to one of the Reps at my school and told her my worries, she had said” Really, I did not know that was happening”. OK people, you all know as well as I do that I am not the 1st to approach my school about these fears. She is playing with our emotions and not doing her job. I am livid about this who situation, I wish I would have stuck with the old GI Bill, at least my bills would be paid.
Jack
September 8th, 2009 at 2:23 pmStuff like this mkaes me feel ashamed to be a veteran…I should have just gone to college instead of going through the military. Just like always, the politicians always want to do no work and let everyone else suffer.
Shanna
September 8th, 2009 at 4:55 pmMy husband is in his third semester of school after serving four and a half years in the Marine Corps and completing three deployments to Iraq. He applied for the Post 9-11 G.I. Bill as soon as he was allowed to due to being told abot all the great benefits. I was recently cut hours at work and due to our situation and the poor economy we rely on the G.I. Bill money to make ends meet. My husband went online to submit that he had attended school all of August and it didn’t let him. So he then went to the school advisor and they said we didn’t have to submit it now because we are on the new G.I. Bill. We hadn’t received anything, so he went back to the school counselor and she said we just have to wait. We were expecting payment this September and have not received anything yet. We didn’t receive any notice of the delayed payments to help us prepare for this hard financial time. We are now seeing that it may take up to six weeks until we are paid, which totals up to two months for monthly bills such as rent, etc. We are furious. We are not able to pay our rent and our automatic payments such as medical,retirement, etc. are being overdrafted because the funds are not in the account. During this transition time all vets that applied for the Post 9-11 G.I. bill should have received the old amount and then be paid the difference when all loose ends are tied with the new G.I. Bill. A notification would have been very helpful also. This delay has really caused a lot of problems for many vets. They have put their life on the line for our country and the least they could do is make sure things like this don’t happen! This is one thing for my husband and I, but I truly feel for the vets that have families to provide for. We are very confused with all this. TImes are hard enough right now and the stress of the delayed payments has not helped at all.
David
September 8th, 2009 at 6:11 pmFor me it is a combination of the school’s fault and the VA’s. I too go to Southwestern College and know exactly the frustrations with dealing with the office there. However, in my case, they are not totally to blame. I submitted my eligibility paperwork in June and the office at Southwestern submitted my paperwork on June 17th. I submitted my enrollment verification on June 30th and they submitted that on August 4th. However, even if they had submitted it earlier I still would have gotten messed over by the VA who has not even bothered to process my eligibility paperwork that they received back in June and vice versa. So either way I’m getting hammered. Either by the incompetence of the people handling my stuff on campus or the incompetence of the VA.
still waiting 4 payment too
September 8th, 2009 at 8:43 pmI agree with Army Sergeant…soft credit has been given to Bush when he had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the passage of the bill. I was hired by Senator Webb to design the language for this bill, and he did a fantastic job, therefore he cannot be blamed for lack of fore-sight by the V.A. Unfortunately, the hard part is putting the legislation into action, which has never proved easy for our government.
I’m a student at UVA and have received nothing but disrespect at the Registrar’s office (there is no dedicated V.A. rep), as a “wounded warrior” I am appalled at the ultimate lack of respect and concern for those of us who have payed so high a price…if we want to lay blame…lets blame the V.A. for failing to adequately prepare for this new program AND the representatives at the schools who (in my case) waited until THIS week to certify my enrollment.
Eric
September 11th, 2009 at 7:46 pmI just seperated from the Navy in July and opted for the Montgomery G.I. Bill, I’m posting this because I haven’t even received my letter saying that I’m eligible for benefits. Just thought that might make you guys feel better, it’s not just the chapter 33 guys getting the shaft. I paid out of pocket for tuition as well as books, and am staying with a friend on the basis that I was told I would receive my benefits sometime in October. I’m starting to wonder if they will even come then.
SFC RETIRED
September 12th, 2009 at 10:27 amFunny isnt it, if you owe uncle sam they are right there to collect however if he owes you its \hurry up and wait\ months. Its ridiculous. I feel everyones pain. Im waiting for any monies from post 911 bill had to buy my books and everything, wondering if Im going to see anything Oct 1, this is ridiculous. Smooth transition YEAH RIGHT>>>>>>
SFC RETIRED
September 12th, 2009 at 10:28 amFunny isnt it, if you owe uncle sam they are right there to collect however if he owes you its hurry up and wait months. Its ridiculous. I feel everyones pain. Im waiting for any monies from post 911 bill had to buy my books and everything, wondering if Im going to see anything Oct 1, this is ridiculous. Smooth transition YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!!
Joe.,
September 14th, 2009 at 9:10 amI had to be one of the first people to apoply for the new GI BILL. I applied at 7am the day the website opened for business. It’s the 14th of September and still nothing in my bank account. I had to open a credit card up and pay for my books., almost $600.00. I was counting on at least having some money to pay down that card by Sept 15th. Now I’m getting nervous. I also bought a computer to help with my school and the checks are coming in for that. I just love how we were all set up for failure on this. At this rate, I’ll have to start pawning valuables to get enough gas to get to class. Thanks VA.
Former PO2(AW), USN. . .
Daniel Rause
September 14th, 2009 at 11:44 amI had all my forms filled out the beginning of June and still no payments. I guess I’ll have to tough it out like the rest of you all!!
Insight
September 15th, 2009 at 3:46 amFor those who applied earlier than August for the Post 9/11. Your school has in fact recieved payment from the VA. Its all a matter of them releasing it. I tapped into my school’s Financial Aid systems logs, (im a computer science major *wink*) and discovered my school recieved my also at the time unpaid tuition from the VA way back in July, yet my funds still had not been refunded to my account with the school. 900+ dollars just sitting in the system. You have to badger them to death. They have your money. Same goes with the VA if you still have not received your housing stipend. The money is there but somehow you get overlooked. No matter how many times you have to dial the number to get through the busy pre-recorded voice, keep doing it till you’re on hold. There is a trick ive found get you through. Call this number 1-888-442-4551 soon as you here the woman’s voice press 1. Then when you here the man’s voice let him get to choice three then immediately press 0. This is 7-5pm central operating hours. The wait time will say 10-15 but it will almost always be 30 minutes. Dont hang up. Tell the person you still have not recieved payments. DO this everyday. Hope this helps.
Militarywiferetired
September 15th, 2009 at 8:26 amOnce again our Government has failed our Military. In conversations with the VA and the VA rep through Ashford University, they both told my husband he qualified for the Post 9/11 GI bill. He served his Country for 22 years , and retired in 2004. Yesterday,he finally received his letter of eligibility, but it was not good news. The VA denied his claim. We went online to actually read the bill, in all it legal jargon the gist we have procured is that since he was Active duty , but tied to a Reserve Command and considered a TAR he does not qualify for this benefit. He started school at Ashford and like many of you was told his claim was being worked that they were back logged. Now he has to pay out of pocket for this first class . He has filed a Congressional with two of the Representatives for our State . If he was not eligible for this benefit 1.Why did VA tell him he was, 2.why did not the school VA rep say something and 3. Why was this information NOT posted in all the informational fliers and pamphlets that were distributed. Once again our Government has pushed through a bill that segregates our Military, They all served and fought for our country ,they all deserve the benefits of this bill. I am angry and hurt for those who were excited for this opportunity, for the chance of bettering their life and financial gains.
Daniel
September 16th, 2009 at 2:23 amIt is hard to understand that the VA has been hit very hard. We (us veterans) have to be very patient with this process because this is THEIR first time just as it is for us. I’m used to the montgomery where I would go to a website click a button and three days later I had an amount of money deposited into my account. Once again, it has only been one month since the bill came into affect. They (VA) are at their prime of handling all this paperwork for the FIRST time. But, after a few months of having the staff trained etc. it’s going to be a walk on the park. I’m allowing myself until the first week of November to get paid and let me tell you when the day comes, it’s going to be a feeling of relief. Then again seeing all the backpay.
SPC Retired
September 16th, 2009 at 3:42 pmWow, I thought I was the only one experiencing problems with the Post 9/11 GI Bill. I actually called them today and was told that I should be getting my benefits no later than Oct. 1 (which will probably have a delay, due to the efficiency of the “pencil pushers” from the VA.)I even applied for the work study program 4X (a program that takes care of PTSD patients). They said they will call me back. Never received a single phone call ever since. I ended up paying out of pocket money for overpriced textbooks and trying to make ends meet, cause I’m still paying for my car. The VA took $100 out of my salary every month so I can receive this so called “benefit”, which is really not a benefit if you really think about it. It is plainly an entitlement (just ask George Bush!).
GT
September 17th, 2009 at 11:09 amTo all of you having problems… have you received your Certificate of Eligibility for the post 9/11 bill already? My came in the mail after about 4 weeks. When should I expect a payment then? I’m a little pissed about all of this too. My daddy always said, if you can’t supply, then don’t advertise…
Kori Bennett
September 17th, 2009 at 5:32 pmAlthough I have not yet received my monthly BAH payment, I did receive a refund from my college the DAY i put my paperwork in to but submitted to muskogee since I had already paid for this semester. That has helped a lot, even if they are still processing my paperwork to send me the monthly BAH. And as my counselors at school told me, make sure to ALWAYS register for classes EARLY so that your pay does not stop between semesters.
Former SGT of Marines
September 17th, 2009 at 7:45 pmI don’t know whats going on with my BAH/Stipend either. My brother got the cert. paper of 100%… and I got the 90% cert. paper. My car will be repoed, I’m late $400 in uts, behind in rent, and my book loan payment is due Monday and my tuition payment is due Thursday. I have not got a response from financial aid. I get thru to the VA helpline and they say I have no education file… however I go to the VA reps at the college and they say I do. Something is not right… they need to quit messing around and put up some more regional call center for GI BILL.
Former SGT of Marines
September 17th, 2009 at 7:46 pmMy brother got his stipends last week…
SSGT G
September 17th, 2009 at 9:03 pmI’ve had a horrible experience with this Gi Bill!!! I call and call and get the run around every single time I call!!! They just don’t seem to have anything together. Plus my school rep doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about. I had him tell me one thing and the Va tell me another. This is because I had all my paperwork submitted in JULY!!!! Still no payment!!!!!!!
former airforce
September 18th, 2009 at 12:01 pmWow, everybody is having problems. I havent the slightest if it is the Gii Bill reps i call who are lying or my VA rep at my school. Im so close to getting my darn car repoed and I’ve had bills piling up since I started college due to the so called \waiting time\ I would have to endure till my first check, wich will be back payed none the less. The VA rep at the school says she sent in everything and the the GI bill reps say she hasn’t. Ive had it this stuff is driving me nuts. Ive called everybody and I think I might of finally found out how to fix it. Call your VA rep and get your certification # and your transaction ID # and call the GI Bill Rep back give it to them and they will find it in a week or something or thats what they tell me. But that’s only if you are having the same prob I am, which is lost paperwork(I hope) or the darn VA Rep hasn’t really sent in my paperwork all together which in that case Im burning down the school(Joking) but really this is stupid!!! I think that when you call up there to talk to someone ab out your GI bill issues you should be able to give your VA reps number to her and three way the convo figuring out what is wrong. That would help alot.
Former SSG of Air Force
September 18th, 2009 at 2:25 pmI so glad I am not the only one who is feeling the pain of being broke. I have been waiting the last 5 weeks and still nothing in my account. Even my school has not receiving anything, because they keep sending me an e-mail. Wow… this is how they repay the men and women who serve this country..DELAY..DELAY!!!!
Retired Army
September 18th, 2009 at 3:25 pmYes there are some delays with the new GI Bill. Yes we all expect the government to be timely. Well folks grow up, if you are having money problems now you had them before. You can get a student loan to carry you over until you start to receive the BAH and book stipend. I am attending two schools one online both schools have been great about having no issues about the tuition. Yes some quite their jobs to go to school full time and were going to rely on the housing. There are over a quarter of a million veterans applying for this benefit. If your actions all get worked out in less than 90 days its much better than it takes for disability from VA which they are getting much better with processing.
Seperated SSGT
September 18th, 2009 at 7:23 pmI haven’t had any problems as of yet.
Actually, it’s all going to plan. I go to Brooklyn College in NYC and we have a dedicated VA rep who assisted with the application process. We were told that they (The schools vet office) would submit all applications etc to the VA on the 1st day of school which was 28 Aug 2009 and that it could take 8-10 week just to process the paper work (meaning just to get into the computers – not paid).
I called the VA last week, and they were very helpful in that they could tell me the amount I was receiving and that I would either receive the money at the END of Sept or the END of Oct. Which month though they could not tell at that time. Also, they have said and it’s been on the news that there was such an overflow, meaning that way more of us vets applied than originally anticipated so they are actively working to process all applications.
Any new program is not perfect. It must “go live” first to exploit the cracks in the system. That’s the only way they can fix it. I am unemployed am very worries about rent/bills etc. I could very well be homeless in a few weeks. But at least I know I will be getting money eventually. Hopefully they will stream line the process.
Stay positive!
Gabriel
September 18th, 2009 at 9:13 pmSeems there’s a few of us from South Western College, i guess people that go to the fancy Uni’s dont have this issue.I did also submitted my paperwork early June and still nothing.Can the Suits gives us an extension or any sort of help regarding our bills?who am i kidding? of course not. If i could, i would go back to the Corps, but im Disable, so im trying to sneak into the Army because of this, i had to move back to Mexico w/ my Grandma and i have a really mad Ex-wife waiting for money. Thanks a lot Suits, lovely to deploy again so you can live in a secure Country. U R welcome.
Amena
September 18th, 2009 at 9:48 pmIf you call 1-888-442-4551 you can get through to customer service. When you talk to them, ask (or instist)to talk to a case manager in your region. Tell them you want a processor to call you back. Also, you can go to the VA education benefits web page. Click on contact the VA. Click on the education benfits tab on the left. Select the “my stuff” tab and create a login and pass word. This will allow you to send your questions directly to a processor. It is the only way you can communicate directly with supervisors besides waiting for a callback.
I applied on June 5th for transition to the Post 9/11 GI Bill. I got no check for august, my start dates were entered wrong, they lost my application and I call once or twice a week. I have been told that it took 8 weeks to approve and that it will take another 8 weeks from the date that my tuition and fees were received to issue any payments. I’d like to see any one of them go 4 months without their paychecks.
I have written to my local congressman, senator and have even sent a letter to the White House to see if they can do anything but at this point, they can’t. As a single mom of two, I feel everyone’s pain. I applied for a student loan and for a pell grant so hopefully I can dig in and wait out this mess but I’m really broke and really worried about how long I can last.
cplh
September 18th, 2009 at 9:55 pmso we still in the “hurry up an wait “.
I know!! lets all go stand by the freeway next to the orange salers in our best uniforms and collectibly panhandle??that migth send a message!
Garrettt
September 19th, 2009 at 12:51 amHello fellow vets. What horrible mal-contingency plan implemented by the VA. I cannot believe that all the post 9/11 vets are getting this treatment. I suggest you write to your congresswomen/congressmen to put some fire under your regional VA office. By the way, the government had placed 196 million on the 1st of July to the Atlanta VA educational office. So they have the money and it’s probably not enough to pay the stipends, tuitions and bah for the 620,000 plus veterans enrolled in school this fall nationwide. Your welcome America for our sacrifices and let’s see how much more this effects the economy.
John
September 20th, 2009 at 10:47 amWell it seems like the majority of people are having issues. As for the “retired army” post stating that we should grow up…..piss off. Not all of us are retired or still getting a check. I’m sure if the VA screwed your retirement over, you’d be upset as well. That’ awesome that your online school is working out for you but alot of us are attending major University’s that could really care less about how they get the money. As far as a quarter of a million people applying….well that number must be miniscule to the amount of paychecks, disabitly checks and retirement checks that are sent out every month.
People are on here with legit complaints and I wouldn’t be suprised if some become homeless over this. But you tell us to grow up and to take out loans? What a kick in the face. Maybe with your professionalism you could get a job over there filing claims with the VA. I’m sure they will take your online degree.
To everyone else…I’m feeling your pain. Promised the 1600 BAH 800 dollar book stipend and tuition costs. Now I’m in school with HUGE bills and no job. I had one class (chem) that had 300 dollars worth of books that were required the first week. Maybe we can just tell the proffesors to hold off on the exams until we get our money? Yeah right. Ask yourself this too…..with a break of semesters in December, are you going to be broke for the holiday’s? There will be a gap in education again over the summer. Will next fall roll around and we are hung up to dry, once again waiting for our backpay of benefits?
Nobody knows the answers…..the best we can come up with is “write a congressman” Reality check….is congress going to read every letter about the same issue? That’s like little kids writing fanmail to an actor. If congress was so smart they would have seen these issues a year ago. When all is said and done…there is nothing we can do except wait, ruin some credit and have to go to school with that sick feeling of being broke. :-/
Aaron
September 20th, 2009 at 9:31 pmI’m going to Mesa City College in San Diego. 100% Post 9/11 GI Bill. My girlfriend and I moved out here in early July. I turned in my paperwork in early July and it was certified and sent to the VA on July 26th. I haven’t gotten a stipened for my books yet and I started school in August. I’m totally, totally broke. We’ve been living off of mac n cheese and quesadillas for a month now. I can’t wait till we can put some good healthy food in our fridge. I still don’t have my histroy book. I need that money to eat.
We’re depending on the October 1st date for rent and bills. Both of our phones are now shut off and the bills are piling up. I was told that my account is in the adjudication phase of processing and the VA rep told me that takes about a week. I’m glad that my stuff isn’t missing or still waiting to be processed. We really need that money on Oct 1st otherwise we’re in real trouble.
Gabriel
September 21st, 2009 at 12:51 amThis is getting extremely ridiculous. Maybe they actually dont really give a damn “oh, its just a bunch of former enlisted fellas, who cares? ”
If we were a bunch of former officers having problems, people might actually care. Hey, lets all get a lil get together, we can call it “soon to be homeless veterans”
Andy
September 21st, 2009 at 4:56 pmI found this posting while doing a little google’ing on the subject and am not surprised at all to read so many tales so much like my own. At this point in the game, I have rent due in two weeks time, an ever growing stack of bills and an empty refigerator (I started in on the cabinets). I also have zero assurance that I will have ‘X’ money by ‘Y’ date. So the question I ask is: where can veterains get some short term finantial relief to weather this storm? Unfortunently, anything with “GI Bill” in it gives you VA ladden results on a google search. Are there any finantial institutions geared for assisting veterains in this specific situation? Or do I just have to apply for a personal expense loan and hope for the best in this troubled economy? Too many questions, way too much uncertainty. Anyone able to chime in on this?
Air Force Ed
September 21st, 2009 at 7:36 pmI find it both insulting and disgusting that the VA administration not properly prepare for something of this magnitude. The VA headquarters had well OVER a year to anticipate that MILLIONS of veterans (both older and younger) across world (not just in the USA, despite what some might think) would jump at the chance to apply for such a robust benefit regarding their education and personal development. I understand that it is taking time to process claims, but seriously!? OCTOBER or NOVEMBER for receiving first payments?! That’s beyond absurd!
The fine print that has been advocated and printed by the VA, the media, AND the current White House administration was AUGUST 1st; NOT October 1st or November 1st. If anyone thinks that I’m being unreasonable, then what reason did ANY ONE of us (veterans) have to apply for something that would only cheat us out of the very thing EVERYONE needs to be successful and competitive in today’s world?
I was told from my community college VA representative that once I received my eligibility letter (I applied for the Post 9/11 GI Bill on July 7th after finishing a six year enlistment back in May), I had to take it my school business office before I would receive my living allowance and book stipend. I enrolled for classes in July, and here it is September 21st, 2009 and ALL I have heard from the VA is “It takes about 4-to-6 weeks FROM THE DATE YOU BEGAN CLASSES for the VA to process your claim”. School started for me on August 21, 2009 and all I have received from my regional VA office (today, in fact in the mail) was a letter stating that they received my application for benefits and “DON’T CALL US; WE’LL CALL YOU IF WE NEED ANYTHING.”
So now I’m forced to apply for a Financial Aid (which is taking longer to process than I thought it would) and hope to God that I will have enough money to pay the rent and eat, not to mention get to class on time…
Amena
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:35 amI’m on the phone with the VA right now. Same answer, different day. I wish I had stayed Ch 30 at this point. My school was nice enough to give me a 100% pity scholarship because of the mess.I’m still waiting for my ch 30 payment for 1/2 of august and break pay between semesters.At least with the new system, when it does get worked out, attendance dates between semesters while we get our degrees wont be such a PIA….or will it? I never thought at 32 years old I’d be begging my mom for money to pay the utilities and to put gas in my car. I guess its just another one of those times that the enlisted man, or woman, has to shut up and take it while the pencil pushers take another coffee break and talk about how bad it is for them because they are over worked.
I think that we have every right to be fuming angry about the situation. The last thing a student needs on top of school stress and family stress is a financial emergency. At the same time, we all come from the worlds finest military stock so I know that most of us will succeed in the end. For me, it meant that I had to swallow my pride, ask for help, and do whatever I needed to in order to get through this nightmare. It has been a humiliating experience but thats how badly I want my degree.
Katelyn
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:03 amI am truly so disheartened by this entire process. Like everyone else, I am another veteran struggling to provide for my son and get an education! I received my certificate of eligibility back in July, and was originally enrolled in a college in NY. After recently moving to FL, I had to notify the VA of the change and do the whole application process over to a college down south. My VA rep is wonderfully nice, but I wish that she had the answers to my questions. I received a confirmation e-mail from the VA on September 8th that my enrollment information had been received….as for how long it will take for the funds to be dispersed to my school and into my bank account, is anyone’s guess.
And as for the individuals suggesting that we take out loans or pursue financial aid–here’s the deal: I ALSO applied for Stafford loans and received the maximum amount for the Pell grant. However, my student loans are in limbo because the school is so overwhelmed with applications. I think it’s a bunch of rubbish, and that these people need to work at their jobs with a little more intensity. I am sure if this money was going into THEIR pockets, or their son or daughter’s…the process would be much more expedited. As for the Pell grant, it was posted to my student account. HOWEVER, because my tuition has been deferred by the college…the Pell grant was credited to that deferrment! I called my rep and told her that this was unacceptable, and that the post 9-11 GI bill is funding my education! All I received in response was that she was waiting for her higher-ups to come to a resolution in the matter…..so that means even though I received federal money for aid, I have YET to receive what is owed to me because of this “backlog” in payments for the GI bill. God knows when my student loans will be processed…and if it weren’t for family members, I WOULD be out on the street.
While I am very appreciate for this opportunity to pursue an education to better myself, I took an oath to defend my country. I delivered on my promises–it is time that the government delivers on theirs, and NOT at their convenience. These glitches should have been worked out before the start of the school year.
I wish everyone the best of luck, and let us know when you start to receive your funds.
GM Deuce
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:16 pmWow, I really didn’t think other vets were having this problem. I had a bad feeling all this was going to happen even when I was processing out of the Navy in December…I guess we have all learned to expect the worst from the government by now right? I should have stayed with chapter 30 too, I was sort of “grandfathered” in because I applied for chapter 30 in May. Nothing happened until I finally got fed up and drove my ass up to Muskogee from Dallas one morning. They finally took action, (sort of) and paid me under chapter 30, but since I applied to switch to chapter 33, I am totally screwed now! They still havent even made a decision wether or not I will be paid at all under 33 because I am going to a trade school now full time. The VA is sorry as hell and I’m pissed off more than ever. When the VA sent me my letter saying I am FULLY covered by 33 for my trade school I thought everything was cool, but of course not. It was a flat out lie. So I was paid up to August 1st under 30 and now I have to sit on ass until the VA decides if I am good enough to be paid at all for this under 33, and get this, I won’t even get my goddamn BAH, at all. I almost got kicked out of school because I had to keep pleading with my finacial officer at school to keep me enrolled. Good thing she likes me. This is completely unacceptable and we don’t deserve this garbage. The VA doesn’t even know how this new bill works yet. I don’t think anyone does. We were never given ANYTHING in the military, we had to pay into this program and serve our time and now this is how they repay us. Too bad we cannot sue the government.
Luke
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:23 amI would say more, but everyone has posted the exact same thing going on with me. My only hope is that Oct. 1st really is the day. If it isn’t, my utilities will be turned off. I will not have electricity.
I wish someone that mattered could read these stories.
Certifying Official
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:51 pmI guess I might be considered a villain here, but I hope not. I’m actually a VA certifying official at a college somewhere in the Mid-Atlantic. In reading these comments, I can only say that I’m even more disheartened than I was on the first of this month. Even though dealing with VA students isn’t the only thing I do, I put a priority on it. I grew up in a military family; my father was a lifer, and we spent most of our time overseas. When he finally retired, the life we all expected to have never materialized, and that’s the primary reason why I didn’t enter the military myself. So I feel like I have a personal stake in what happens with my VA students because I don’t want to see any of the things that happened to my father happen to any other vet.
I was VERY happy when Chapter 33 was passed into law, but the one-year timetable to get it going had me concerned. It didn’t seem reasonable or plausible, but halfway through the summer, things were looking good. Since August 1st, though, it’s been all downhill, and I can’t say that I’m surprised. We DO have a deferment plan in place for our students, but what has really troubled me is that so many vets haven’t gotten their housing stipends. So I’ve got MANY students who–like many of you–are just getting by, hanging on by a thread, trying to feed families and keep roofs over their heads. It’s bad. Landlords and leasing offices are VERY impatient when it comes to rent. I had a student today call me to say she’d been evicted. What could I possibly say to her?
I try to personally meet with every vet who wants to use his/her VA benefits at my school, and I think I have a good repoire with them. One of my concerns was the part about the student getting their housing stipend “on or about” the first of September, and I tried to warn everyone that it might NOT work the way the VA claimed (imagine that). I urged many of them NOT to quit their jobs or take out new leases right away if they could avoid doing so…to err on the side of caution. Some listened, some didn’t.
What really bothers me is that there doesn’t appear to be any priority system on the part of the VA for getting these payments out. I had my students applying for Chapter 33 as soon as the application was available. Student started coming in certificates of eligibility in MAY and started certifying in earlyJuly. I would’ve expected these students to be squared away FIRST. It hasn’t happened that way. Some of them are the ones left hanging, but students who got their COE’s much later have gotten payments. Go figure.
Another issue is that I know there were a lot of vets who WAITED until August to apply for Chapter 33. For those who didn’t know about the program, I can understand (because I know that military’s exit counseling isn’t always the greatest), but I’ve met TOO MANY vets who knew about Chapter 33 early in the summer and actually WAITED until August to apply for the benefit. August is the WORST time to apply for anything related to higher education because it’s the busiest month for the VA AND HIGHER EDUCATION. It happens every year, but this year it happened to the EXTREME. Not that I’m defending the VA, but they got FLOODED with applications in August, the most EVER I’m sure. So…for those of you who are looking to use the benefit in the SPRING, apply for it NOW! If the classes at your school start on–say–January 30th, don’t wait until January 20th to apply otherwise you’ll be in a world of hurt. Nothing makes a certifying official happier these days than to have a prospective PROACTIVE student come in WITH his Chapter 33 certificate of eligibility already in hand.
As far as getting people on the phone at the VA, ordinarily we were able to do that, but now even WE can’t get folks on the phone. We’ve gotten conflicting info from people up there and policies have been changed or adjusted from what we were initally told they would be. WAVE is basically dead in the water. My chapter 30 and 1606/1607 students are in the dark just as much as I am.
Ultimately, I think everything came down to “we need to get Chapter 33 up and running ASAP…logistics be damned.”
All I can say is hang in there. Thanks for reading.
Aaron
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:39 pmI just got $125. deposited in my checking account today from the US Treasury. It says its for CH33… I’m 100% eligible for full CH33 benefits. My BAH payment should be close to $500 for the fist week in August and my book stipened should be for about the same. What’s this $125???? Anyone else get a small amount of cash? Now I’m really, really, REALLY, really confused. Anyone? This is weird. I would call the office and ask but my phone was shut off. It was the least important of my bills :/
Jamal
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:10 pmThis makes no sense at all. I sent in my application in July and receved my certificate of eligibility in August. My classes started July 27, 2009 and my school sent my Enrollment Certification to the VA early August. I called VA weeks afterwards and they say they did not recieve it. I then had my school send my paperwork again they then faxed it again. So weeks later by the end of September the VA still claimed to not recieve my Enrollment Certification. So I then had my school overnight the certifcation which they did on September 1, 2009. And I have proof on the UPS website that the St. Louis Regional Processing Center recieved my certification on September 2, 2009. I called VA twice a week from that date until present which is September 23, 2009 and they are STILL telling me they have not recieved my Enrollment Certification from my school. I mean how is this possible? The VA should of been prepared for this now I am suffering. I am broke with no money and I have to beg my mother for money just so I can get to school and to eat. My cell phone has been off for a month and my bills are due. I don’t understand this at all we protect this country and we get treated like shyt. WOW!
Garrettt
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:19 pmAaron, That would be your pro rated amount from Aug for your BAH. I heard from a friend that the VA is under a lot of pressure to distrubute funds asap! If your claim got to your regional VA office from your school before Aug 15th you’ll get your stipend, Aug and Sept BAH on or around the forst week of October.
Im broke
September 24th, 2009 at 3:24 amI wake up in the middle of the night just to check my bank account.
Kiel
September 24th, 2009 at 4:23 pmI guess I’ll go ahead and take my spot in the griping like with everyone else. The VA received my paperwork from school on July 17th and I have yet to see a dime. My checking acct is overdrawn, my car payment and insurance are overdue, not to mention rent and utilities. Plus I can’t even find a job waiting tables right now, which has always been a fallback since I separated in 2005. I spoke with a VA rep AGAIN today and she told me there would be no hardship consideration, so I have resorted to writing my congressman (John Linder in my case). I urge all of you to do the same, even if you have or haven’t gotten your money yet. Our Congressmen/Congresswomen need to know what kind of debacle this has turned into. Flood their email boxes and voicemails. Politicians are like used car salesmen, yet they are simply selling votes. Make them work for that vote! I wish everyone the best and I hope we can all make it out of this fairly unscathed!
Worse in CA
September 24th, 2009 at 6:39 pmThe situation is worse for veterans attending schools in California. I applied for the CH 33 GI Bill on the first day it was available and contacted my school on the first “eligible” day for processing my enrollment certification which was back in July even though other schools were allowed to process them as early as June. When I called back for an update, the certifying offical advised me that they weren’t allowed to send them out until late August. Add 6-8 weeks for processing and I don’t even expect any payments until November and that’s a big maybe. The only plus side is community colleges are cheaper in California than other states but it doesn’t help veterans that don’t have a job.
Patrick
September 24th, 2009 at 7:15 pmi applied for the post 9/11 GI Bill back in mid July, i didn’t get my certificate of approval from the VA until the 17th of September. The local VA and my college both said that i should be getting my BAH and backpay on or around the 1st of October…but i have learned to never believe anything the military says.
Active duty right now
September 24th, 2009 at 8:16 pmHey guys im currently active duty i have less then a yesr left untill i have finished my 5 years and get out of the navy im reading this and its making me want to plan way way ahead do you guys have any suggestions for me? any thing i should do GI bill wise before i seperate? im currently still under the chapter 30!!
Garrettt
September 24th, 2009 at 10:16 pmWell…Just got some bad news. I finally spoke with a claims supervisor today (they received my updated enrollment and certification with the yellow ribbon program on Aug, 7th 2009) and was told that I will not probably see me back pay until the third week of October now! I am so broke and about to be evicted out of my apartment! But it’s not the VA’s problem, (according to them). So I propose that we get together a group of Vets and do an organized protest in DC? At least we would get press coverage!! Hope everybody makes it through this horrible experience and just remember, we are only a number to the VA and our sacrifices for our country mean nothing to a for profit business!
Aaron
September 24th, 2009 at 10:41 pmMe too. Well… I just got paid in full for the first week in Aug BAH and book stipened. $835 Total, and they told me I would recieve my BAH for October “most likely” on the 1st of October. No promises they said. Thank the Lord.
I talked to a few CH30 people that switched over to CH33 at school today that attended in the summer and they still haven’t seen any money yet. Maybe I’m just really lucky I don’t know. It sucks that I would get paid before a CH30 person. I hope everybody gets paid real soon because Nov 1st is just unacceptable. Have hope guys, money is flowing.
Amerie
September 25th, 2009 at 3:20 pmThe best way to get in touch with the VA is to e-mail them.I recieved an e-mail from the VA at my school and they said that it is going to take 8-12 weeks before we recieve any money.I applied on August 12.Im one of the lucky people that have a job.But it doesnt pay much so Im behind on my bills too this is ridiculous.
have any of you applied for a pell grant.You can use your GI Bill and Pell grant together because the GI bill is an entitlement
LT
September 25th, 2009 at 7:45 pmME TOO!
I submitted my application in May, I received my certificate of eligibility in June, I RAN to the VA rep at school to let them know of this change. THEY did not send in proof of enrollment until 9-11-09 and now I am told by the 1-800 number that I must wait 6-8 WEEKS!! we are talking november here. So the school dropped the ball and the backlog is butchering my finances just like everyone else. I actually moved into a NEW apartment expecting to have to cover the funds through September at the MOST. but now, things are getting tighter and tighter at home.
This is ridiculous!!
LT
September 25th, 2009 at 7:46 pmWhen was your enrollment certified by your school? desperate for info!
steve
September 26th, 2009 at 1:52 amLook folks, we all need to chill out a bit. The VA is working overtime on this. It will get done and they will catch up. I applied for my Certificate of Approval in July and my college courses started on Aug 24, 09. The State University in California submitted certificate of attendance/enrollment about August 15 and The school got paid about two weeks back and I just got my book/fees money and my BAH for Aug and Sep today. So it is happening and some patience is in order rather than panic and anger.
irritated
September 26th, 2009 at 2:33 pm5 more days until we supposedly get our pay and backpay, everyone please update us to your status as to whether or not you got paid!!!
Joe
September 28th, 2009 at 11:05 amChill out? People that applied late are getting paid their benefits earlier. I applied on the very first day back in May. I did everything on my end and the only thing left was for the certifying official and VA to finish processing paperwork. My school hasn’t gotten paid yet and I haven’t received any funds. I’ve been paying for everything out of pocket. Because California schools weren’t able to submit their enrollment certification until late August, October or November is the timeframe I’m looking at. However, there is this update in place where you can go to the VA and wring out their necks or politely ask them to process your paperwork: https://www.gibill.va.gov/
CJ
September 28th, 2009 at 11:20 amPlease take a moment to read an update I published today. I’m interested in speaking to any of you that may actually benefit from this or if it’s just more talk.
JN
September 28th, 2009 at 4:22 pmHey guys check out this link. The VA is orders emergency checks for the post 9/11 GI Bill start 02 Oct. Hopefully this will help us veterans out. If I dont receive my payment from the VA prior to 02 Oct. I’ll be the first in line for the emergency funding. I’ll update you in a few weeks. GUYS PLEASE KEEP YOUR HEADS UP!!!! I know we’re experiencing hardships but please keep positive thoughts. God Bless.
http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1783
Air Force Ed
September 28th, 2009 at 8:42 pmFINALLY!!! After EXACTLY 12 weeks, I’ve finally received some concrete information from my regional VA office regarding my Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. After I saw the PRESS RELEASE regarding the emergency checks that veterans IN NEED can qualify to receive starting October 2nd, I called my local VA office. After waiting for about 25 minutes on the phone to speak to a representative, I was notified that ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE IN DANGER OF BEING EVICTED FROM THEIR HOMES/APARTMENTS/FACING FORECLOSURE OR EXTREME POVERTY are authorized to get this emergency funding. The catch is that the amount you would receive is deducted from your benefit amount.
Sounds crappy, I know; but it’s better than starving to death or living on the street while trying to put yourself through school, right?
Anyhow, before I hung up the phone and wondered how I was going to get to my nearest office (I live two hours away) on day I have class, the representative checked the status of my application and I nearly jumped for joy on the other end of the phone when he told me that my application had JUST been processed and that: ONE–I will receive my Eligibility Letter in the mail tomorrow (Sept. 29), and TWO–within 3-5 days from today (Sept. 28) I WILL receive my ENTIRE benefit amount that I am entitled to via Direct Deposit. The guy even told me the EXACT amount that was pending wire transfer to my bank, and I was extremely surprised! I’ll be getting more than I thought I would!
For those who are still wondering and praying–DO NOT LOSE HOPE!!! Uncle Sam IS working on this for US but he works at his pace and not the pace that we are used to from being in the military. I submitted my application on July 7th for the Post 9/11 GI Bill and only NOW and I getting something good from the other end of the processing line.
Whether you were a Marine, Airman, Sailor, Soldier, or a Coasty you didn’t give up on Uncle Sam; and from what I can see, he’s NOT giving up on YOU!
HANG IN THERE! THE MONEY IS COMING!!!
Marcie
September 28th, 2009 at 8:49 pmI was told i wont be getting the GI bill til November or december. i am barley makeing ends meet. I am living out of my car/ friends. Maybe this emergancy funding will help….or who knows when we will even see a penny from that.
Joe
September 29th, 2009 at 11:24 amThey should’ve been clearer about who is “eligible” for the emergency funding. I can’t even contact my local regional office since only a 1-800 # is listed with a high call volume.
Air Force Ed: By eligibility letter do you mean the certificate of eligibility (COE)? To my understanding, the school certifying official can’t certify your enrollment without that on file. Hopefully, you’ll get your payment as stated.
I submitted my application on May 1st which was the first day. I received my COE on May 14. I have yet to see a payment. The school also hasn’t been paid. I found out that I was certified under the old GI Bill because my CH 33 COE was not on file, so I expect further delays. In the mean time, WAVE didn’t show I was under CH 30 for the current period either way so I’m somewhere in “limbo.”
Joe
September 29th, 2009 at 4:28 pmRead the 4th paragraph of http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/20/AR2008102003409.html
“Many advocates for veterans say that it took too long to update a GI Bill that has not kept pace with the escalating price of college tuition. But now there is also concern that the VA won’t be able to meet the August deadline after it abruptly abandoned its plan to hire a private contractor this month and instead will implement the new program itself.”
They met the deadline for starting the program but apparently they didn’t meet the deadline to make payments. They had more than enough time to make this work.
http://www.navytimes.com/benefits/education/military_gibill_091608w/
They didn’t go with a private contractor and now we’re suffering.
Garrettt
September 30th, 2009 at 12:03 amWell have to drive on Thurs to St. Petersburg to get my emergency check! I will sleep in the parking lot and get in the long line, expected to be 3000 + veterans at the bay pines regional office Friday morning. Can’t believe this…Oh by the way, my school will not let me re-enroll for the next semester until they get their money from the VA! Way to go America, Good thing you care about your freedom fighters and the sacrifices we make for this land we call America!
Air Force Ed
September 30th, 2009 at 6:47 amJoe: You are correct. Certificate of Eligibility (my school VA rep simply calls it the “Eligibility Letter” and apparently my regional VA office makes no distinction between the two) is what is, and I’m still waiting for it in the mail. My school hasn’t gotten paid yet either, but they CANNOT take that out on me because they KNOW that they are getting paid straight from the government and not the student enrolled in school. The school not getting paid their tuition is THEIR problem–not the students; If they have problem with that, they NEED to take that up with the VA regional office and complain.
waiting in texas
September 30th, 2009 at 12:59 pmVA has published the application process for emergency funding today. Hopefully wont have to make the trip to Waco on Friday, would be nice to get a surprise in our checking account tomorrow morning. Good luck to all!!!
Amena
September 30th, 2009 at 4:42 pmI was told today that those that are eligible for emergency pay can go to their local VA office starting Friday and get an advance of up to $3000. You need to physically go and apply with a picture ID and verification of enrollment so that they can cut you a check then and there. I asked if everyone who hasn’t gotten paid yet for last month is eligible and the call center says yes. I am going to go and check it out, even if it is a 2 1/2 hour drive. Meanwhile, my processor has spent the last month trying to figure out what ” my CH 33 starts on 8/24″ means.
LT
September 30th, 2009 at 5:39 pmTO AIR FORCE ED
I work with 2 VA eligibility workers and they asssured me that YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE IN EXTREME POVERTY TO RECEIVE THE FUNDS. Like the articles day u just have to be certified as eligible for the funds and suffering from the backlog of distributing funds. The funds will be deducted from your payments once they are processed but since It is over a month behind, this is fine with me. I am going to show up at the regional office Friday with my ID, COE and HOPE. I’ll keep you posted
GM Deuce
September 30th, 2009 at 8:41 pmI hope we will be able to use that emergency funding, things are getting desprate fast…Please repost here if you are able to take advantage of this. Now it says on the VA website we can apply online for the benifit, but we know how that works. I’ll be driving down to the regional office in Waco, Texas first thing in the morning from Dallas October 2nd. I’ll let yall know how that goes.
Jason
October 1st, 2009 at 2:40 pmIf the school won’t let us continue because of the lack of funding, and we can only be paid if we go to school, how is this supposed to work? I really hope the emergency funding thing works out the way it’s supposed to because it seems that nothing else is. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
-Hopeful
Reese
October 1st, 2009 at 5:55 pmI can’t believe this crap! First, I had to wait “6-8″ weeks for my certificate of elgibility then when I got it I had to fax it to my school and then wait ANOTHER “4″ weeks for it to process. Now I get a letter in the mail that says its ALL been approved. Hey thats great, but where’s the BAH? I’m already a month and a half into my first year of college and I (just like you all) have car bills, cell phone bills etc. I mean, yeah getting a job is great and all but I don’t know about you…Its kinda hard to come from 4 years of Marine Corps artillery to Psychology, Philosophy, Computer Science, Pre- calc etc. It would be nice to at least have a month or two off so that I could spend my time studying so that I don’t flunk out (and forfeit the GI BILL)without worrying about the gas money I need for my ONE hour commute to school or what i’m gonna do when the lights go out.
U.S.M.C 4 life
October 1st, 2009 at 10:14 pmHow is it people are living out of their cars and starving and all this nonsense? Did you solely depend on this money for mere survival? I understand it is a joke having to wait this long for the money but I dont understand people becoming homeless because they had a big dream to go to college. If you are destitute now because of this 3 to 4 month delay you ought to seriously think about getting a job. I work full time and go to school full time and like many have been waiting for the money that never comes but I am not going to be out in the streets because the Government wont take care of me. Quit crying and find a job!! Most of you probably are going to school three days or less.
GM Deuce
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:50 amUSMC 4 life- You work full time and go to school full time. That is great, really. And it’s always good advice to tell people to get tough, but not everyone has the same options you do and some people were really counting on this a long time ago. Everyones situation is different now that we are on the outside. And I think the big problem is these guys are trying to go to school five days a week, why do you assume they are going to school three days a week or less? Having a McJob (some places that’s the only thing open to them at the time) isn’t going to pay for school, rent, utilties, kids, etc, etc. We all put stock in this system, believing it would work and it fails at launch date. I know I’ll get to finish school just fine (from student loans) but I hope all the people really trying out there get to finish too, reguardless of what happens. Keep at it everyone.
Joe
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:12 pmI was able to pick up my check at my regional office. It was a 2 hour wait for me due to the long lines and security check-in but it was worth it. You don’t have to state a reason for eligibility. You don’t have to be in extreme poverty to receive it. All they asked for was ID, COE, and class schedule. I brought a DD214 as a backup but it wasn’t needed. Good luck.
I’m also taking full time classes and working full time in addition to raising a family. My wife has been laid for from two jobs for the last 8 months. My school is 60 miles away from work where I have to cross a bridge, pay a $4 toll, and sit in traffic that’s rated in the top 5 major cities for the U.S. Hang in there because we’re all in it together.
LT
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:16 pmTHE EMERGENCY FUNDS WORKED!!! I had to wait at my VA for 4 hours because of the amount of Vets but It went smoothly and I got the $3,000!! If you need it and you havent gone to your regional office yet, DEFINITELY GO MONDAY!
GM Deuce
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:27 amJoe-I’m really glad to read that! But wow, a 2 hour wait, what city did you go too? You are right, we ARE in this together, when it comes down to it we will help each other when we have too. I got my 3,000 today too! So hopefully the payments will come in at regular times now. When I was in Waco today, I saw the press there. From local stations I think, and the lines were not long at all. I walked right in, filled out a simple form with a VA rep, then went in another room where they printed my check, all within 20 minutes. It was awesome. I am so relieved. For the others that have not gone for fear of being rejected I say go ASAP and get what you deserve.
Joe
October 5th, 2009 at 10:56 amI went to the regional office in Oakland, CA, arrived around 8 and was out by 10.
I’m reading on facebook that some people are having problems cashing their checks in.
irritated
October 6th, 2009 at 10:30 amAny word on how fast checks are being process for the people who submitted the form online?
Joe
October 6th, 2009 at 10:56 amAir Force Ed: I received the following for the VA on a recent inquiry: “Please note that a letter from Admiral Dunne was sent to all school’s on September 11, 2009 requesting that the Enrollment Certifications be submitted even if a Certificate of Eligibility cannot be presented. Once this is received, processing will be begin.” This should apply to everyone. I have my COE but I was processed under the CH 30 instead of CH 33. If their system is setup right I shouldn’t be paid under CH 30 since that benefit was “forfeited” when I switched over.
Garrettt
October 7th, 2009 at 10:49 pmUpdate regarding post 9/11 gi bill payments. Well crew, have some bad news! My student admissions dean verified today that my back bah and book stipend will not be paid until the end of dec/beginning of Jan 2010 along with my tutu ion. Here’s the deal, if the VA received your C.O.E and school certification before Aug 15th, you and your school will be paid around this time frame (South East) regions only. The VA has already written a promissory note to my school so I can continue to go to school and take out federal student loans if needed. If you are registered in the Atlanta/Decatur regional office you can expect a 3 month delay for every month that they received you registration and credits taken per semester. So if they received your complete paperwork from your school in sept 2009 you will probably not see a payment until the end of Feb 2010 to Mar 2010. Take out student loans and bill the VA when you finally get your back pay! I’m sorry to all the Vets out their except for (U.S.M.C 4 life) you must live at home with your parents and have a pension? I work 34 hrs a week and go to school full time and make decent money in a federal job. So my sympathy to all of my brothers and sisters in combat arms.
U.S.M.C 4 life
October 12th, 2009 at 6:08 pmNo, I dont live at home, but yes I am a retired Marine. The B.A.H. for my area is about 1,068.00 a month and I never dreamed that amount of money was going to support me or my family. Even with my great retirement check of 1489.00 a month. I am pursuing a criminal justice degree 4 days a week and work security full time, it’s tough but thats what you do. Many times I am in class from 8am to 2pm and then im rushing to work for 8-10 hours. I dont have a problem with someone saying “where’s the money?” Its just ridiculous to me people are starving and living in homeless shelters because they want to go to school. I guess its because I was in the military longer then 90% of veterans and understand how the government works. They are almost never timely when it comes to money. I just cant comprehend someone relying on the government solely for survival. I served in the Marines 20 years and saved money and made investments that have left me financially secure. I know thats me and not everyone. The military was a mere 4 year stint for most and thats fine, but you cant let yourself get destitute waiting for this money. O.K. I understand the job market is bad,., so they say, maybe it is but where I live I found a job 1 week after I retired. You cant sit around a cry and say “poor me.” As a veteran you should understand how messed up the system is and prepare better. Did you quit your “jobs” to go to school full time? If you did you must be single and thats fine but dont cry you are broke now. I talked to many non veterans I go to school with and they are making it happen without the gi bill or the government and living on their own. Yes some are older and more life established, which should be commended. This post 9/11 GI bill is a great thing and many of us earned it through blood, sweat and tears and im sure when its all said and done you will get what is owed to you. I just dont like to hear that veterans failed to have a backup plan to avoid financial ruin over this thing.
waiting in texas
October 19th, 2009 at 2:41 pmTO USMC 4 life: Why are you even posting to this blog? You have done nothing but take shots at other people posting here who just want to find out what others are going through, instead commenting of the situation that the VA has created. Did you even read the original post by CJ? It was about a veteran who switched from Chapter 30 to Chapter 33 and all the problems he/she were facing (our family had same exact problems with the transition). Im happy you are getting through this with no problems, but Im sure that you feel that your job will not go away on Nov 1st just because it is a new month right? Also, everyone knows that we all base our expenses on what we are most sure that our income will be, so someone who was going to school fulltime under the old program and under the new program who was already in the system and did not take a break during the summer would expect to keep being paid by the VA. Also, Im happy that the job market is working well for you, but some of us live in an area where in recent months there was a job fair for about 200 positions and over 6000 people showed up to apply, and most jobs that were held by teenagers are being filled by mature people. School was probably the only option left for a few, most people cannot find a job in these times that will cater to your school hours even if you can crunch all your classes into 3 days a week, or might not have the option of working at night that you do. I know we have free speech in this country, and I dont know what the Marine Corp taught you, but Im sure it wasn’t “kick a comrade when they are down”. Dont you think you should have possibly posted some insight, instead of attacks?
PS – Did you even see when the VA posted on Aug 26th that they were starting to make payments early and that it was meant for Sept 1st and you would not get another till Oct 1st. Another tactic to create the illusion that they were on schedule and to hold people off their backs for awhile. Also, no matter how many backup plans you have, unless you are filthy rich they dont matter. For the rest of us, any situation can possibly wipe you out financially.
Garrettt
October 19th, 2009 at 10:26 pmWell I’m glad you were able to serve twenty years. I was in the Army for 4 years and was medically discharged for combat injuries sustained in Afghanistan. It was not my choice to be medically discharged and believe me if it was up to me I would still be serving. Good for you that you were able to save money and have your pension. I’m still awaiting my back pay for disability compensation and benefits that’s in its 2 year mark. I understand everybody’s situation is different but you obliviously lack compassion and sensibility for veterans that don’t have financial security and family support. I do not rely on this money even though I’ve spent a ton of money in the past four months.
RetUSAF
October 20th, 2009 at 10:22 amDoes anyone know what the deal is with the 9/11 GI Bill application process right now? I first submitted by application in August and then the app was deleted or lost by the VA. I re-submitted and now I can not even get through the phone system to speak to someone. The message says all the reps are busy and then it cuts off the call.
Has anyone made it through this process yet?
Curtis H
October 20th, 2009 at 12:32 pmI was promised a paycheck in September from the new GI Bill. Now it is almost November and am just barely getting by. Thank God for unemployment or I would homeless. I don’t understand how this could be happening to all of us and it not get some media attention. Something needs to be done.
LT
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:09 pmHELLO ALL! i HAVE SERVED 9 YEARS SO FAR IN THE THE ARMY AS A MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST AND MEDICAL ADMINISTRATOR. INSPIRED BY THIS BLOG, I PUT TOGETHER A SURVEY ABOUT WHETHER THE EMERGENCY FUNDS HAVE WORKED AS A BAIL OUT OR ARE TOO LITTLE TO LATE. ALSO TO ASSESS HOW MUCH VETERANS ARE OR ARE NOT SUFFEREING DUE TO THE DELAYS. PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY BELOW FOR ME. IT IS SHORT AND I AM USING IT FOR A SCHOOL RESEARCH PROJECT AS WELL. I WILL SHARE THE RESULTS WHEN I GET THEM. THANKS!!!!!!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=J1HMXOndZOhNjWCBmOPg_2fw_3d_3d
LT
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:18 pmi just wanted to add that I am also awaiting funds from the post
9-11 GI BILL please help me out!!
Joe
October 23rd, 2009 at 9:09 pmI too am still waiting for any funds to roll in for my Post 911 GI Bill. I completed all application steps, got my certification a month before school started, but even though all of that stuff is done, no payment has been issued to myself or the school…. hmm. Emergency check was nice, but you can only stretch it so far… Chapter 30 GI Bill sure does seem nice right about now. Oh well, Ill just be patient and wait like everybody else, hope I made the right decision.
Mark
October 26th, 2009 at 1:57 pmI am a veteran who yet to receive a payment. I submitted an application for a training that I had to pay out of pocket (5 grand) in June 2009 and I was suppose to receive my payment on October 23, 2009. I had called periodically every week from time of training in August. I called on October 20, 2009 and was informed that my application had been lost and it would be another two weeks before they would even look at the request to search for it. My wife and I are expecting and living with my in-laws and have 500 dollars to our name, car payments and no money….We need a miracle!!!! Thanks to the lack of caring on the government side….we are hurting to keep our heads above water!!!!
Joe in CA
October 26th, 2009 at 6:19 pmHi Joe. We’re in the same boat. You’re right, the emergency check can only so go far. In fact the emergency check covers the partial month of August and the $500 stipend for full-time classes that I was supposed to be paid in CA. It doesn’t even cover a full month for high cost living areas which is why the BAH rate is high in the first place.
waiting in texas
October 28th, 2009 at 4:24 pmMark,
Were you able to receive your emergency check(we were wondering if anyone applied for one online)? we have also found that if you do all your paperwork online, there is less of a chance of it getting lost(we did all of ours online, even submitted supporting documents). If you had a chapter 30 account, you can go into wave and see your application waiting for your chapter 33 benefits, just doesnt tell you much(its how we were able to verify that our enrollment verification was submitted and waiting to be processed).
We were finally paid all back pay on Oct 26th. Our enrollment was verified on Sept 4th. Now the fun will be to see if our emergency check gets in the system before they make all our monthly payments and have to pay them back(of course they will want it immediately).
Patrick
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:34 pmthe VA e-mailed me and said that if you got the $3,000 emergency check, that they’re only taking $200 from each upcoming check until the $3,000 is paid back, that way you’re not left for broke when you get your backpay.
LT
November 4th, 2009 at 2:22 pmI just got off the phone with the GI BILL operator who said they have no way of tracking who got the emergency funds yet so NOTHING with be coming out of the upcoming check to repay the emergency funds. They assure me the deposit will take 3-5 business days. I’ll keep you posted!!
BY THE WAY THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE COMPLETED MY SURVEY FOR SCHOOL ALREADY. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED EMERGENCY FUNDS PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SURVEY FOR ME!!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=J1HMXOndZOhNjWCBmOPg_2fw_3d_3d
marty
November 5th, 2009 at 10:42 amSo its the beginning of November, and I still havent gotten paid. My paperwork was processed the 20th of August. I know this because I call the VA at least once a week, just so they can tell me its pending process. I am really starting to get frustrated. Especially when I see people who sent their paperwork after me and have already gotten paid. You guys are right, that emergency check was nice while it lasted, but it didnt last too long. Wish I could call the the regional processing center (Muskogee) and talk to someone there, but no one can seem to give me a direct number….
Elizabeth
November 5th, 2009 at 1:46 pmYeah… so my husband submitted for his eligibility for July 3. We didn’t even get the eligibility form until mid-September. My husband brought it immediately to the school the same day. We got a letter from the school 2 days later that the authorization that he IS a student was processed and sent BACK to the VA. We went October 5 to get the $3000 from our regional office (a 4 hour drive each way). Now here it is… November 5… and we still have not seen so much as a PENNY from the original claim. His semester ends in approx. 5 weeks and we haven’t seen anything. We’re living on my paycheck alone…and drowning fast. Our 4 year old child has lived for 2 1/2 months in a state 6 hours away, with his grandparents, because we cannot afford daycare for me to work and my husband to go to school. We missed Halloween with him. And since we have no one to call and no paperwork or information at ALL that our claim is even being processed, we don’t forsee having him home for Thanksgiving either. Why can’t they give us a number, an email address, or SOMETHING? We had to wait for 10 weeks already just to get the eligibility. Do we also have to wait 10 MORE weeks to get a paycheck? 20 total weeks to get this done? And if that’s the case, why didn’t they let us know this BEFORE HAND? Will they pay us the back pay that they owe us when it’s processed or wait until the first of the month? (Yes, even after subtracting the $3000 we got, they still owe us well over $1000 in back pay.) Will we EVER get any money and be able to bring our baby home? We are given NO information at all and it’s not like we’re 18 year old kids who have no bills and no family who are merely having a problem trying to pay for gas or can’t go out with our friends. We cannot pay our bills, and we cannot have our own child live with us… because the VA will not process our payment. We already submitted one part, just to wait and wait and wait and wait for part #2 to come about. Do they care? Probably not. Because it doesn’t matter how long it takes US to get paid and take care of our kid… the politicians already patted themselves on the back and got their nice big fat paycheck. Why don’t THEY pay for daycare for me so I can get my child back home?
Patrick
November 6th, 2009 at 1:21 amMarty, don’t bother calling Muskogee, the people who answer the phones there do NOT know what they’re talking about. I went through the VA at my school and they knew who to ask for when someone answered up at the regional office, so just do that.
Amanda
November 7th, 2009 at 6:29 pmWell, here it is November 7th and I’m still being told by VA rep at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA that they would probably certify my enrollment in about a month. I turned in the paperwork there September 3rd! Well I got news, the semester will be ending by the time they verify my enrollment. And as we all already know, once the VA finally gets the enrollment verification, it can take them up to another 6-8 for payment. So I’m not expecting anything until Feburary of 2010! How can I pay and start class in the Spring 2010, if I never got paid for classes I took in Fall 2009?
Amanda
November 7th, 2009 at 6:43 pmAnother thing I forgot to mention is that the problem appears to be with Southwestern College…and NOT the VA Office. I know this because I’m also taking distance classes with another college who verified my VA enrollment the same week. Furthermore, I was told by Southwestern College that they only have ONE guy that is processing and verifying enrollment for a community college that primarily serves 1,000s of veterans, active duty service men and women, and their dependents. They must have known that this new GI Bill was coming way in advance, and knowing that San Diego is major military hub they should have been more prepared, hired additional people, and not become the cause of so many peoples’ grief and disappointment.
Is anyone else having issues still with Southwestern College like I am?
Nate
November 10th, 2009 at 7:44 pmMy enrollment was certified within a week of school starting, and my tuition was paid for. However, 2 and a half months later and I still haven’t received any monthly living allowances or the money for books. A small delay is reasonable, but not to the volume which it is at now.
Drew McMullen
November 12th, 2009 at 8:50 pmMy enrollment was certified in the middle of September and I have not seen a dime! Nor has my school! I have always been there for my country when it needed me. Where is my country when I need it? The message when you call says to allow 12 weeks before calling to enquire about your status! That’s after the damn semester! Oh ya..and thanks VA for the BAH! Not receiving any of it really helped my living situation greatly!
Dana Vorhees
November 13th, 2009 at 4:00 pmThe VA received all of my material over 13 weeks ago and I still have nothing. I have tried several times to call in and have been told it is being processed in Atlanta. My school has never been paid and I can longer afford to go to school. I tried to get an answer via email and it has been 23 days with no answer.
Airborne297
November 14th, 2009 at 12:16 pmI submitted my paperwork 27 Aug and attended class. 8 weeks later, still nothing. School blocked enrollment until I called twice to the VA Okla toll free number. Since there was an overflow of people who requested the 911 benefits, the VA changed the procedures sending a letter to all the schools written by some Admiral. VA was awaiting the certification from the school in order for payment to be received. Re-enrolled; 2 weeks later back payment received. Still have not received my certification letter. Hopefully, the school will certify enrollment in a timely manner to keep money rolling in on a regular basis. In the Virginia area, BAH is quite good. BAH is paid in arrears.
LT
November 17th, 2009 at 5:32 pmThe school certified my enrollment on 9-11-09. I finally received funds on 11-6-09. I called the VA daily as well and until the operator tells you it is processed….you are still at least 3-5 days out from payment. once I got a YES answer from an operator they let me know it takes that long to his the bank. Mine only took 3 days. hope that is helpful.
I feel so much empathy for you all who havent received it yet! I am a single parent. Not an 18 year old needing gas money either ELIZABETH. PLEASE FILL OUT MY SHORT SURVEY ON THE EFFECTS OF THE EMERGENCY FUNDS AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. IT IS FOR SCHOOL AND I WILL SEND YOU THE RESULTS IF YOU ARE INTERESTED!
BY THE WAY THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE COMPLETED MY SURVEY FOR SCHOOL ALREADY. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED EMERGENCY FUNDS PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SURVEY FOR ME!!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=J1HMXOndZOhNjWCBmOPg_2fw_3d_3d
lorrie huggins
November 17th, 2009 at 6:46 pmIn the same boat folks. as of tommorrow i will be an educated homeless veteran. That 3000.00 covered the back money and the current month of rent. Stuff not cheap in california. Im trying to leave but since I can’t get paid i’ll be stuck here till doomsday. I’m trying to figure out where to go. This is crazy. How can we make good grades if we are constantly wondering whether we have food to eat and a roof over our heads. I’m on facebook folks, good luck to all.
Shelly
November 17th, 2009 at 7:42 pmMy fiance is having the same issues. He’s gotten a few letters in the mail saying that they are still processing his application for COMPENSATION. Why bother taking the time to even draft and mail a letter like that? They should be using all their energy to just process the claims. After he received the $3K emergency check, a VA rep called to see how things were going. When they asked if he had any questions he asked when he’d start seeing payments. The rep scolded him and said he should feel lucky he even got the emergency check! I don’t understand how they can expect people to pay their bills and live day to day with no money. Now Christmas is around the corner. I just don’t understand. I wonder what is really going on behind the scenes.
Kim
November 18th, 2009 at 11:51 amI have not received any payments since July. I got the 3000 emergency fund (which the bank would not let me use for 7 business days) but that doesn’t last long when you live in California and are supposed to be getting 2014 dollars a month. I called they said October 1. I waited a month and called back November 1. I called again and they said that there is no possible way that they can pay me until the end of the month. Like I trust them. I am running through my savings like wild fire. I can’t afford basic bills let alone my insurance because any income I have has been diverted to covering my apartment rent, car payment and other must have bills. My school certified on August 20, Its now November 18. It has been in processing for months now. Just thinking about it makes me cry. I have to postpone my wedding, go to school and work. I don’t have time to do anything else. The VA is out to make sure I am broke, homeless and my credit is ruined. I have a feeling I won’t get paid until well after the semester ends on December 18. I can’t believe I served 11 years to be duped by people who are supposed to be helping vets. All I wanted was a college education.
Patrick
November 19th, 2009 at 2:34 amwell, i got most of the money that’s been owed to me, I only got $2400 out of the $3300 i was supposed to be getting. I’m not gonna complain one bit, but it makes me wonder when i’ll see that other $900 (which is the book stipend, i’m 100% positive on that.) If you guys were wondering, i turned all my paperwork in on August 22nd and got everything approved by October 9th, that’s when they said it would take 6-8 weeks for me to get my money. So it’s been around 5 weeks since they said that and I finally got everything, so they were pretty accurate for me. I just hope i see the $450 in my bank every 2 weeks like it’s supposed to be.
Randy
November 20th, 2009 at 12:27 amI applied to transfer my Post 9/11 GI Bill to my daughter…a tremendous benefit. It’s been over 90 days for VA to respond and the response we get is, “it’s being processed”. Also, on many occasions, I cannot get through when calling on the telephone. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a tremendous benefit but the program has been very poorly executed. We continue to call and wait for VA to respond to our questions with a solid answer. Best of luck to all!
jason
November 20th, 2009 at 9:54 amI think this is the best improvement for educational benefits that is long over due. But my personal experince so far has been less than great. According to The explanation of the new gi bill as explained here http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/Ch33/Ch33_Pamp... . Since I was medically discharged due to combat wounds with service connected disability I am tp be covered at 100%, since my wounds were bad I am also on Social Security Disability and I am not allowed to earn more than $700.00 a month. I am lucky that I get the SSI and 60% of my base pay from the army. My total income is about $1800.00 a month after taxes. So paying for college is not in my reach and student loans are not a good idea as well.
So I figured that I can go to college and enrolled just as this new gi bill came into law … thats when the nightmare began.
It took the VA almost the full semester to pay but here is the kick in the teeth …the VA wrote me to tell I was only able to get a rating for payment of only 70% of the gi bill. So I called them on the 1-888-gibill nuber as it says on the bottom of the form if there was any questions . I was told this its not there fult and I must prove to them that I was discharged due to disability …… Well my DD 214 READS This Honorable discharge / MEDICAL Disability service connected . I also inclued my Army orders of discharge that show I was wounded in action due to war and discharge rate of 60%. Well it seems I must resubmit in writing through the VA board. I was told it might take up to 6 weeks to 6 months to see if they agree but in the mean time I still owe my school over 2 k because of this. I have turned to my congress rep here in West Virgina and they wrote her back with the same answer and I now have my House rep WORKING IT as we speak but once more the Va is stonewalling and sticking to to the 70% rating.
I must say I love my country but I feel the VA has turned it back on me ….all I want to do is get a good education that I earned …. so I can keep getting the medical care so I can get off the SSI AND GO BACK TO WORK .
Drew
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:20 pmI just received my money. It took them 10 weeks after the school certified my enrollment. I am thankful that I finally got paid but I am still extremely mad that this is happening. I live in Boston and sent a letter to my Senators office (Sen. John Kerry). I was paid a days later. I dont know if he had anything to do with it but it was strange that it happened like that. So…go to your state Senator!
Law Student
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:38 amThis is just an FYI, to those of you who may not know this…
I see some people are really struggling with $$, waiting in their GI Bills. I don’t know if you are all aware, but…
As of August 2009, universities are NOT allowed to count your GI Bill as financial aid on your total. What this essentially means is that in addition to the GI Bill, you are all also eligible to obtain 100% of your cost of attendance from other sources. For example, if you qualify for Pell grants, state grants, or even loans. You can get 100% of your cost of attendance covered through these other programs, and ALSO get your GI Bill ON TOP OF THAT. So, this may help a lot of you, if you didn’t know that. Essentially people using the GI Bill can get just about double financial aid.
Considering the RIDICULOUS unreliability of the timing of checks right now, I personally would highly suggest obtaining your aid from other sources and consider the GI Bill a “backup” or “extra”. (Of course, if that’s possible for you.)
I received a $196 Deposit Saturday, but nothing since and I don’t know exactly what’s up with that, but we’ll see.
I submitted my App August 16th and my school certified enrollment September 2nd.
Just a tip…Good Luck all!
Kim
November 26th, 2009 at 12:08 amThey said I would be paid at the end of this month, it is the end of the month and for the 3rd month in a row my claim is still in processing whatever that means. I am supposed to be getting 2014 a month and haven’t received anything. I wrote my congressmen and I did here back from him…about me supporting him on an entirely different matter and no mention of my problem. The VA has handled this all badly. In less than a week I have to pay my rent and two weeks after that I will have to pay my car payment. After I make these two payments I will have run through my savings because the VA has not paid me yet. My school certified on the 20th of August, it is now more than 12 weeks and I still have not received any money. I called again and was scolded for \rushing\ them. My claim was sent to a \supervisor\ and now it is a week later and I still have not been contacted even though the lady promised. I am tired of broken promises.
Taisha1985
November 27th, 2009 at 10:09 amI submitted my change of school request on August 2nd, the school certified my enrollment August 22nd, still havent heard anything from the VA,I’ve called and called, what a waste of time.Still havent recieved anything, the semester is over in less than three weeks…This is crazy
Law Student
November 29th, 2009 at 11:40 amYou’re all absolutely right, this *is* ridiculous.
Imagine what the spring semester is going to be like, which starts in just a few weeks. I was once told by a supervisor at the VA call center that they are working overtime to process claims. Then he said “we are even working on sundays, have you ever worked on a sunday?” This blew my mind COMPLETELY. I couldn’t believe it. You’ve got to be kidding me.
In addition, how much sense does it make to have people at a call center answer phones who can tell us NOTHING about our claims UNLESS IT HAS BEEN PROCESSED. We don’t want to hear about claims that have ALREADY processed, we want to hear about our claims that have NOT been processed. Seems like a TOTAL waste of funds to have these people answer phones just to give us false hope because they dont ACTUALLY know anything about our claims if they havent been processed yet! Counterproductive at best.
I did call my congress representative just before I got a payment, so I didn’t actually have to ask them to follow up on my request. But they were willing to “help”.
Also, I do know that SOME of the regional offices are more behind than others. From what I understand, this can obviously cause payments to post out of order from which they were received on a nationwide basis. Also, some of the regional offices have sent some of their apps to other offices to process, which makes predicting your timing of payment even more difficult.
One more thing, you should go to your VA representative at your school and ask general information about the timing of payments. If you can see that other people at your same school have received payment sooner than you and submitted application LATER than yours, you have a well-grounded concern.
Good luck everyone, I think we will need it, especially for the spring semester. I really hope everyone sees money very soon, and def. before christmas break.
Shelly
November 30th, 2009 at 12:49 amSwitched from Montgomery GI Bill to Post 911….I was already in the freaking system and I still have not received any money and my tuition is NOT paid yet. The semester ends in 5 days. I will not be able to attend next semester if the tuition is not paid by then. I have used all my savings plus emergency fund from VA to pay bills and like most vets going to school full time, I do not work. This is completely unacceptable and I wish I never switched to the new GI Bill. I may get less in my pocket with the Montgomery GI Bill, but less in my pocket is better than NONE in my pocket and nothing left in my savings. My husband is on deployment and I don’t have family close by to help watch my child so that just maybe I could get a job and work in the evenings since I go to school during the day. I also put my child in daycare because I now have to attend class, so that is an extra expense with no money coming in from the VA. The VA should not get any days off or holidays until every last vet has been paid for the Fall semester. I am starting to think the VA really does not have any more funds and thats why no one is getting paid. I know of one person who has been paid from the start and that is my brother. The rest of the hundreds of vets I have talked to have not received anything.
SGT. Mike
November 30th, 2009 at 7:55 amIf you owe the government money they’ll get that back out of your paycheck in a couple of days, if they owe you money it could take months. Thats the way it is.
I’m soon to be a senior in college, I don’t think I’ve ever gotten my GI benifits paid before mid semester.
The 3,000 emergency check really helped out this time.
If you’re going to school fulltime and going to rely on benefits for most of your income heres how I usually do it, maybe itll help you:
1.sign up for school. Do it as early as possible.
2.Make sure all paper work is in order for different benefits, GI bill, fasfa ect. Know all the benefits you’re entitled to and milk them.
3. Dont pay the tution. Sign up for a payment plan. Ive had times where what ever method I used didnt pay for tution until the end of the semester and I didnt get kicked out. Usualy the worst the school will do is put a hold on your records.
4. Buy books as you need them. Sometimes you may not need need them. Just dont wait to long, mid semester if the bookstore is sold out they won’t reorder untill next semester. You may also get a grant for them them and not need to pay out of pocket.
5. Try to have a cushion in your bank account and credit card. Put
emergency bills on credit/ must have stuff like books,food, utilities, gas ect. Pay back the card when finally get that big three months of back pay.
6. Budget and always think of ways to cut costs. You’re a student now (not usually known as societies big tymers). This semester I cut cable and phone. I just have internet and use a viop and watch free and streaming tv. Try not to fianance stuff. I usually drive the most reliable car I can pay cash for.
7. Try to have a support. Maybe parent who will loan you a couple hundered or if not at least friend you can eat at their house from time to time.
Pissed off VET
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:17 amAfter reading this I am amazed. There are over a hundred comments now all telling a similar story of counting on the VA to do what they promised and instead ending up left in the cold. I was so incredibly excited when the Post 911 GI Bill came out; I thought that I could actually go to school. If I would have known that as of December I would still be waiting to get my housing allowance I would not have enrolled full time this fall. Like many of you I am at my wits end and completely broke. As of this writing I have negative three hundred dollars in my account. I have called the VA and found out that apparently they never received my DD214 and they are still showing me as active duty and that’s why they paid for my tuition, but not my housing or book stipend… this is the stupidest load of garbage I have ever heard. I didn’t even know you could use the Post 911 GI Bill while on active duty, and even if I could why would I? In the AF I had 100% tuition paid anyway! I was told on two separate occasions two different ways of sending them my DD214 and now today I found out that BOTH of those ways don’t work! This is ridiculous! The VA has my DD214 for my health care benefits why the heck doesn’t it have it for my education benefits? Why are the people on the phone LIEING to me on how to submit the paperwork? I am obviously not active duty anymore. Now I have to call back and demand a way to prove to these people that I am a freaking VET! Why would they give me the advance pay if they thought I was active duty?! None of this makes any sense. The only thing that is obvious is that no one cares about all of people’s lives that this has negatively impacted. Entire families are being destroyed because of horrible LIES! It is asinine that this was not dealt with better. I wish all of my fellow starving broke Vets good luck.
Goverment at its Best
December 6th, 2009 at 10:41 pmI am surprised to hear so many stories that directly reflect mine. The Post 9/11 G.I Bill has become my nightmare. If I could I would go back to that fateful day in August and refuse to turn in my application. I have spent every single day since September 3rd, that is when I received word from the VA that my application has been received, checking my banking account to see if my benefit has arrived. Being married and a full-time student on a fixed income, not received my benefit has really put my family in a bad spot. I refused to take the emergency fund since this program is still failing, how could I justify jumping from one sinking ship onto another. I felt really alone before finding this website but now I am even more upset knowing that there are this many people having my same problem. I feel for you brothers and sisters.
Retired Chief
December 7th, 2009 at 1:55 pmSubmitted my paperwork in June, approved in July. Have received NOTHING. No money, none of the promised call backs, 6 different stories from my last 6 phone calls. We should all band together, put our old uniforms on (mines kind of tight, I admit it), and stand on the side of the road with signs advertising the total lack of care, compassion, or understanding from our “fine” VA and Government. Sure am glad some of our elected politicians are working to help ensure illegal immigrants can get tuition assistance.
Kim
December 7th, 2009 at 2:30 pmAfter this long (like the entire semester) I am finally getting paid. My school certified August 22 and now it is December. However, they are sending me a check because they do not have my direct deposit info. That is weird because I got the former GI bill by direct deposit, I get my VA work study money by direct deposit and it baffles me. At least I am finally getting paid. I can stop worrying until next month when I transfer schools and this crap starts all over again.
cli820461277
December 8th, 2009 at 4:21 am” .Hello,
‘Yes’, the Cart can be used for subscriptions.
Majority of our merchants’ buyers are actually international. Sadly, not a lot of local users are accustomed to buying things online.
It does not include a website (although we also offer that service separately). You can get any 3rd party to do the website and we will just integrate with them.
regards
hazz.hazz”
Retired Chief of 25 yrs
December 8th, 2009 at 9:26 amI’ve had it! I trusted my leadership to do the right thing and if mistakes are made, talk to them, make amends, ensure their troops still trust and follow them. I am ready to quit on the leaders involved in the 911 GI Bill. Not being paid to ease the stress of attending class and providing for my family is finally overwhelming. I WOULD STILL HAVE FAITH, HOWEVER, IF SOMEONE WOULD JUST KEEP ME INFORMED OF MY CASE AS IT PROGRESSES INSTEAD OF STONE-WALLING MY CALLS FOR ANSWERS. I applied in August, received my approval in November 2nd and still haven’t had any explainations why on December 8th, I haven’t been paid yet. My grades suffered as I now look for employment instead of trusting the VA and am angry I was set up to fail. This will not stand, I will not fail, and I will not forget. Honor, Courage and Commitment are still my core values… What about their’s? Is it time to address my congressman?
Garrettt
December 9th, 2009 at 1:57 pmI’m sorry about everybody’s mishaps with this new GI Bill. The root of problem is that The Treasury did not budget the funds for all the tuition and housing allowances for the 480,000 veterans using this new bill. There will continue to be delays until congress appropriates funds to meet the demands. So in a nutshell there is not enough money to fund this bill and the VA has to delay our payments until they receive the funds for our regions which are based on disbursement from the treasury. It is not the VA’s fault but the Federal Reserve who is printing our worthless dollar to fund this mess and along with the treasury.
LT
December 11th, 2009 at 12:25 pmI am reading these stories and it BREAKS MY HEART! I am shocked that people who received their verification from school before me (9-11-09) have still not been paid!! I got mine in November.
When you call the GI BILL number (18884424551) while you are checking on your status you can update address/ bank account info.
Remember that until they say yes it is done on the phone you are still 3-5 days out. The idea of checking your bank account everyday in hopes it will appear is FALSE.
So much good info has been shared through this blog. My part is to make your voices heard through this survey I am doing for school. please complete it if you havent already.
PLEASE FILL OUT MY SHORT SURVEY ON THE EFFECTS OF THE EMERGENCY FUNDS AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. IT IS FOR SCHOOL AND I WILL SEND YOU THE RESULTS IF YOU ARE INTERESTED!
BY THE WAY THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE COMPLETED MY SURVEY FOR SCHOOL ALREADY. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED EMERGENCY FUNDS PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SURVEY FOR ME!!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=J1HMXOndZOhNjWCBmOPg_2fw_3d_3d
Chris CPL USMC
December 12th, 2009 at 10:38 amI just recieved an e-mail from my school VA office stating that it will take the regional office 12 weeks to process continuing claims. They said to register as soon as you can with no mistakes because any change to your schedule puts you in the back of the line. I handed in a change of major and a schedule for that major so I wonder what hell im in for doing that. Early registration for my school for students with enough credits was Dec. 3rd. I registered for classes on Dec 3rd and gave it to my VA office on the 4th. Giving them a big benefit of the doubt, I will say they submit it the following monday on the 7th. That puts my payment starting the last week of February and my first class is January 11th. If this is the way its going to be every semester for even another year I don’t know how I’ll be able to make this thing work. Seems like the hell we are all going through will start over every semester. One of the most annoying aspects is that my VA office is all students with one women who is permenant staff. So every semester the staff gets changed out and there is a whole new group of kids that don’t know what the hell they’re doing until the end of the semester when they’ll get switched out again. The women who runs the office is pretty easy to work with when shes actually available. Why can’t they hire permenent staff to run these offices. Good luck everyone
Denied Vet
December 14th, 2009 at 2:37 amI registered for school March 2009 under chapter 30. I received my approval letter in April 2009. I then applied in July for the chapter 33 and received my approval letter in August. I took my approval letter to VA on Oct 2, 2009 and received an advance. After months of calling, emailing and visiting VA I was told December 11, 2009 that my school doesn’t qualify. I still haven’t received a letter this was done over a telephone call. So I’m trying to figure out how did they approve my school and give me the advance and now telling me it doesn’t qualify. I’m in my second semester with about $12k in tuition debt now they decide my schoold doesnt qualify. Thats a bunch of crap when I got the school from their website.
Nya Ayala
December 16th, 2009 at 7:21 pmI also had similar issues with receiving my Post 911 benefits. I converted to the new program on May 1st and got my cetificate of eligibilty about one week later. I enrolled at Soutwestern Community College, Chula Vista, Ca in July and my courses were verified and forwarded to the VA mid September. I went to the VA office in San Diego on Oct 1st and received my $3000 check after about two hours. Then, I immediately deposited the check at my bank and the funds were available within the hour. This is were my story differs from most. On Oct 8th I had three seperate deposits into my account totaling about $3250. On Oct 30th and Nov 30th I received two seperate payments of $2018 which is the BAH rate for my area. All in all, I have been paid $10,286 since Oct 1st. Now, I’m just waiting to see when the VA will begin to recoup my overpayment. I hope this information is helpful to everyone.
Drew
December 17th, 2009 at 10:17 amCALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN! Even if you did receive your payment! Send them an e-mail! Help all of our brothers and sisters get what they deserve!
Stenz
December 21st, 2009 at 4:03 amReference Drew’s email of 17 Dec 09…I did contact my Congressman as should many others.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a tremendous opportunity for many. However, VA’s execution of the program receives a D-. I did a transfer of my benefit to my daughter and have been plagued by delays and mistakes…the most notable was my active duty service was not recognized from June 2002 to the present. That resulted in a 50% decrease in benefit and it’s now back to the drawing board. I’m advised by VA that it will be 8-12 weeks for any resolution.
I too, like many posted here, have experienced the inability to get through to VA on the telephone. Generally, it takes 3 attempts only to be followed with a 30-45 minute wait. The capper is my questions are generally answered with, “it’s being processed”. Not an acceptable answer.
Hang in there fellow Veterans. As an eternal optimist, I’m hopeful the VA will get energized to swiftly correct the myriad of problems plaguing the execution of this program.
Jon
December 21st, 2009 at 9:50 pmWow! I didn’t realize the problem was as widespread as it is until I began researching post 911 GI Bill issues today. Like many of you, I transferred from the Montgomery in July and my school was paid by mid semester. However, it’s the week of Christmas, fall semester’s over, and still not a dime or glimmer of hope. Now here’s the kicker: My claim has been in hardship for well over a month, including several weeks in the wrong que (nice work VA-Atlanta). Three weeks ago I finally pleaded my way into a phone rep actually talking to a supervisor and my file was placed in the correct hardship que. Three weeks later, multiple discussions and empty promisses of my claim being authorized for payment within 24 hours, and I’ve hit the end of my rope. While all the very competent VA claims processors are getting christmas presents later this week, I’m getting forclosure notices on my mortgage and electricity cut-off dates from my utilities company. Not to mention that my credit is now irreversibly damaged. It seems there is nothing we can do but sit and watch as everything we’re working for deteriorates in front of our eyes. Is anyone else still waiting for payment now that the fall semester is over and gone?
Denied Vet
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:14 amYes, I’m still awaiting payment. Since my last blog December 14th, I received an e-mail from VA stating that they were waiting for information from school that I know was sent in September. I also saw the information in their system when I went to their office on December 11, 2009. I notice that the last blog complained about the Atlanta office. Will I too am dealing with the Atlanta office. We all need to write our Congress person and try to get to the Atlanta Regional Office Director. Each person I talk to give me a different answer. One office/person don’t know what the other is doing and they all are incompetent.
fuck civillians
December 26th, 2009 at 1:34 amI applied and was approved for the post 911 gi bill, and have been reading all the horror stories about it on the forums. I start school in jan, and the thing is that my school refuses to submit my paperwork until i start school. It’s a small college, and they do participate in the 911 gi bill program, but It seems like i get the cold shoulder from the va rep at my college whenever I ask her to submit paperwork early so im not waiting for months and months for a paycheck. As far as the va goes, My honest opinion about the situation is that there’s something going on behind the scene with money. I mean, how hard is it to type some info in the pc and press enter. These ppl act like its so hard to so simple things. So, im sure ill be waiting months upon months before i even see a penny.
Stenz
December 28th, 2009 at 4:36 amFirst, to the comment made on 26 Dec 09 by “f@#_ civilians”, I would think that your choice of user names would be more befitting a current/former member of the finest armed forces in the world. Further, if you are former military, then you too are now a civilian…
Second, take some time to research into precisely why there have been delays, mistakes and misinformation throughout the implementation of this program. Yes indeed, in this age of automation, one would think it would be relatively easy to input data and produce a payment relatively quickly. However, in a recent article, it’s interesting to note the VA is dealing with outdated computer systems and that processing claims “requires manual processing using four separate …systems…which do not interface with each other”. Reference the following: http://www.aascu.org/media/pm/pdf/pmnov09.pdf Couple that with tens of thousands of applicants, and inadequate staffing and you have a recipe for disaster. I doubt there is “something going on behind the scene with money” as you point out. This program is a must pay bill by the US government. The myriad of problems i.e. delays and mistakes is not due to lack of funding, it points to a lack of staffing, outdated technology, sub-standard training and in my opinion, inadequate leadership at the VA to swiftly correct those challenges.
Finally, to those that are answering the telephones at VA, I applaud all of them for hanging in there and dealing with the frustrations of thousands of veterans and other recipients of this program. I too have lost my patience but must remind myself they are carrying out the policies and procedures as directed by their senior leadership. Any angst one may have should be directed to them, not the technicians taking the brunt of the telephone calls.
Just keep swiming swiming swiming.....
January 7th, 2010 at 7:35 amI am horrified with the stories I’ve read. My enrollment certification was sent on 12/23/09 so with that said I have yet to receive anything.
My question is, is there any improvement for the wait time or is there still a huge backlog of payments waiting for us winter students?
Rick
January 8th, 2010 at 11:05 pmOh, I have an even better story. I heard about the new Post 9/11 benefits and was told to sign up as soon as possible so that I would get paid in a timely manner. I signed up pronto. Only to find out that I could have finished using my original GI bill (10 months of it left) and then switched over to 12 months of the new Post 9/11 bill. I wrote a letter to the VA and told them about my situation and they basically said tough luck. I now have the joy of waiting around for random chapter 33 checks (I’ve only received two in the last year) and I lost out on an extra year and 2 months of benefits, witch roughly equals out to about $20,000 dollars. To bad so sad for this vet I guess. Hooah!
Warren
January 13th, 2010 at 9:55 amI am so disgusted with this program! And the worst part is, it’s irrevocable. Once you sign on the line for this crap, you are stuck…quite similar to a Navy contract. You choose a bad job in the service, you are stuck with a bad job in the service…forget cross rating, so forget going back to the Montgomery GI Bill. I would have been better off going to school part time, while working full time, then participating in this garbage experiment. Now I see why there are so many homeless veterans out there. And with an apartment eviction notice and an automobile letter of intent to repossess on my desk, all I can say is hello sidewalk, here I come! Disgusting! The VA is foul and the government is even worse for doing this to veterans…but what do they care; most of those a**holes probably never served the country anything other than sh*t!
Military Wife
January 15th, 2010 at 2:03 pmSo I don’t guess anyone knows what is going on with this GI Bill money. He started school in August…no money…September…no money…then he got the $3K advance…then the next month they paid him…the next month they only gave partial payment to compensate for the advance even though they still owed him for the previous months and they won’t pay it…this month NOTHING at all and they don’t answer the phone, they don’t answer email, the GI Bill link on their website is blank. He called the local VA office and they have no answers for him. We aren’t rich (who in the military is?), we have one son in college and a daughter soon to be…he is driving 60 miles (one way) to go to school…we still have to pay for gas, supplies and all with money we need for bills. They office is now closed Thurs-Sunday and Monday is a holiday…hope they enjoy themselves while we are trying to make ends meet. I’m disgusted.
AJ
January 15th, 2010 at 8:27 pmI have spent a good half an hour reading blogs and multiple posts about the ch. 30 and ch. 33 failures. The sad part isn’t the fact that the disbursments are late, or shaddy- it’s the whole promise of getting them. Had I known that I’d get out of the service just to suffer and helpessly watch everything I’ve worked for vanish due to a crappy economy and over-reliance on a broken program that I bought into- I would have just stayed out of the military and worked. My time in the service, like most of you, was not pleasant- enduring more than 3 years of deployments, a divorce, losing a child to SIDS and not being able to see my brothers wedding or my mothers funeral was more than one should ever bear- my only hope was to get out and try to put my life back together, starting with school- the whole reason I joined in the first place. Since then I’ve had nothing but trouble. I’ve completed full terms before seeing any payments- just to have the VA send me letters saying that I OWED THEM (since the courses they were paying for were already complete). I had to pay them back, with interest, before I could receive further benefits, which ended up costing me money just to be able to use the program- on top of the fact they removed months off my entitlement for courses that I ultimately paid them for. I’ve had to short sell my mother’s house and move into a shitty apartment on the bad side of town, and I’m still struggling to pay the bills.
Enough complaining- let’s act. I believe that if the GI BILL processing was in the hands of actual military men this “delay” wouldn’t exist. I’ve seen what a handful of PFC’s- lead by a couple corporals and sergeants- can do. If we did that, I’m sure retention would be much higher, recruiting will rise, and the lack of manpower and money to pay civvy govt. workers will never again be an issue- hell, the money saved on that alone could be delved back into the pockets of the service women and men, the ones depending on these benefits to make ends meet.
Phillip
January 19th, 2010 at 4:15 pmDoes anyone have any advise on what to do for a lost COE for Post 9/11 GI Bill? I cannot seem to locate my copy. I have searched the worthless VA site with no luck. I tried to call (several times) the va with no luck either. WTF?
Marine Sgt
February 16th, 2010 at 10:01 amhi, i started the whole application slash headache process on october 4 2009, here it is feb 15 2010 and still have not recieved anything. so thats 5 months of nooooooooo benefits that i am entitled to. good luck everyone, hopefully you have more luck than i.
Marine Sgt
February 16th, 2010 at 10:03 amPhillip,
i know its painful but you have to call the va as soon as they open. i believe its 7am central time??? i may be wrong. but they will send you another one.
a.d. steffen
February 26th, 2010 at 12:13 pmprehaps the veterans adm needs to have each state run the
GI Bill/9-ll benifits. that way veterans of their state
could contact their federal/state veterans to submit their
application, issue the checks.
Stenz
March 1st, 2010 at 6:01 amYes indeed, for four months in a row and numerous calls to VA, they still did not get the BAH payment correct!
Instead of paying 100% of the BAH, they continue to pay 50% inspite of the fact the award letter states 100% entitlement. All told, they owe nearly $4K in back BAH. The unfortunate part is the VA only makes payments at the end of the month, so it would seem, we’ll be waiting another 30 days to see if they get it right. In the interim, more telephone calls will be attempted.
A.D. Steffen: You might be on to something there…
Kenitha
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:13 amHelp its a nightmere can some one please help me make heads or tells of this. I am qulifed for 100 precent of my post 911 GI bill benefits. I am enrolled full time 12 credit course hours. this lady who run’s the Va office at my college is saying that my computer class and my math class don’t meet the reqierments for my gi bill benefits there for I will not receive any BAH nor is the Gi bill paying for any of my classes can any one please explain to me what’s going on i need help! sorry about the spelling
Leigh Henry
March 4th, 2010 at 12:16 pmMy husband applied for VA benefits in June was approved for post 9/11 Benefits and began school in November. When we began receiving funding monthly it was not for the full amount of BAH we expected to receive. Our surprises continued when we were informed by his school that they had not received any tuition payments.
We have three young children and attending full-time classes at night was cutting in to his hours at work making it tough to pay all of the bills. After being assured by many at the VA’s regional office that the paperwork was delayed and everything would catch up we applied for and received the $3000 emergency funding to help with bills. It has been 4 months, my husband finished his first two courses with A’s and the problems have not been corrected.
Another phone call today informed us that there was a mistake, his school is not eligible for Post 9/11 Benefits, Montgomery GI only. Oh and by the way Mr. Henry you owe us $3000 and your school 4 months tuition. We are now required to pay for their mistake! Has anyone else experienced anything like this? As soon as the school finds out and we tell them we don’t have 4 months tuition I worry that will be the end of school for a while.
waiting in texas
March 8th, 2010 at 12:29 pmKenitha: In order for you to get certified and paid for the classes you are attending, they MUST be on your Degree plan that you have filed with your VA office. If the class does not fill a requirement, they will not certify you for the class, and the VA will not pay for it. Also, you must be enrolled in more than half time of VA qualified classes to be paid your BAH, therefore if you are not enrolled in at least 7 hours of qualified classes for the spring term, you will not get paid. Hope this helps.
Weezy
March 19th, 2010 at 10:53 pmIs there an echo in here?
“I believe that if the GI BILL processing was in the hands of actual military men this “delay” wouldn’t exist.”
^ Quoted for truth, we pay civilians 6 times as much to work to 1/2 as hard as someone in BDUs–gotta love it!!