the montgomery GI bill.

[Own Goal Hat-Trick]

ok this is for those of you out there who are or have served and had the GI bill.

are you exempt from having to adhere to in-state requirements if youre fresh out of service?

also, did you find that you had many problems transferring credits earned in the military (i.e CCAF degrees, training credits, ect)?

what about actually getting the money from the GI bill?

[Americano e Orgulho]

I'm guessing that it depends on the state. I was accepted to UCLA with sub-par HS grades(2.3 GPA), but I had good test scores, my military experience, reference letters, and a good essay to help me.

Getting the money is easy, but it, generally, takes about 2-6 weeks after you do the paper work.

I never tried to get any of my credits transferred, because my military training as a network admin had nothing to do with my degree. I could have used them as electives, but decided not to.

[fordfjord]

Although I'm using my GI Bill right now, after reading your original post, Own Goal, I think that our situations are indeed sufficiently different to warrant anything that I have to say not very useful to you. But who knows... I'm assuming you enrolled under the latest version of the GI Bill, the one they started in the late 70's-early 80's (?)...

I had all my transfer credits accepted (by University of Phoenix) about 2 weeks before I got out. I did this because I was told (whether true or not, I don't know) that getting these transfers would have taken a whole lot more effort if I were to have waited until after my separation date. I nailed down my Associate's, and had my diploma a month after I was re-civilianized. Fast-forward 3 years to 2003, and I start attending UOP at their campus in Houston for my Bachelor's. My GI Bill is a lifesaver, as my company no longer provides tuition assistance. Best investment I ever made (and realistically, this is about the ONLY reason to enlist anymore - EDUCATION! It sure as hell wasn't for the food or any other "social benefits", such as they were :D !)

In-state, out-of-state, I can't say. I don't think UOP worries about that question too much, but I could be wrong.

UOP actually does all my Veterans Affairs paperwork for me - I would imagine that the school that you are looking at attending could help you out on that.

Finally, as a catch-all for any possibly bum-help I may have given, call the good folks at the VA (http://www.gibill.va.gov/). Their number is 1-888-442-4551. I have been impressed by their speed and helpfulness the few times that I have needed to call them. Their customer service has improved significantly from the first few times that I called them back in '99.

Good luck to you in school! And by all means, use that money - it's yours!

[christopher d]

The GI bill has remarkably little to do with in/out of state requirements of state schools. The cash is there because you got out with a straight Honorable -- has nothing to do with where you came from.

As far as I remember, you have two choices for "in-state" education prices: 1) where you came from, and 2) where you served, unless you did what I did and moved my official state of residence to where I was serving (taxes).

The cash is sweet, though. Stretch it out, because the per-month allotments keep going up and up and up :-)

[LATL]

Man I got out almost four years ago I need to start taking advantage of this. Do you get more money for advanced degrees (Masters PHDs).

[christopher d]

Man I got out almost four years ago I need to start taking advantage of this. Do you get more money for advanced degrees (Masters PHDs).
Nope. Same monthly amount for undergrad, grad, apprenticeships, whatever

[dfb547490]

unless you did what I did and moved my official state of residence to where I was serving (taxes).

I'm guessing you were stationed in the Commonwealth of Virginia, rather than the People's Republic of California. :D

[zverskiy yobar]

also, did you find that you had many problems transferring credits earned in the military (i.e CCAF degrees, training credits, ect)?



check out

https://www.cool.army.mil/index.htm

[christopher d]

I'm guessing you were stationed in the Commonwealth of Virginia, rather than the People's Republic of California. :D Nope. Moved to the Golden State -- From the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Capiche? ;)

[dfb547490]

Gotcha...that's sorta like moving from North Korea to Cuba, I guess. :D