GI Bill/College funding question

[monkeymom]

I know there are quite a few vets and parents of vets here, so I am hoping one of you may be able to give me information for my son-in-law (to be).

He is going to college and collecting GI Bill funding while in college. If you deal with GI Bill you will know that it recently changed pretty significantly. He has to retake one of his general ed classes that he failed last semester. It was our understanding that under the old GI Bill guidelines, if you had to repeat a class it would not count towards your units for the semester, so you would either have to take more units so that you would be considered a full-time student, otherwise you would just be eligible for partial pay as a part-time student.

I assume this remains the same with the new GI Bill - because SIL can not find a specific change of this policy in the new GI Bill. However, SIL is a bit of a know-it-all and is determined that since it's not specifically worded in the new policy, it must have changed. So he has planned to retake the class this semester, but is not going to take an additional class to make sure he has enough units to be considered full-time. I just have a dirty feeling that he is going to be in for a nasty surprise when he gets his first GI bill check for this school year.

If anyone has any info, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much.

[stoked]

This goes back a ways but my husband used the GI bill back in the early 80's and I don't recall this being an issue. I know he had to retake a class or two and I don't recall any drop in payments. They do get a higher payment for married couples.

[monkeymom]

This goes back a ways but my husband used the GI bill back in the early 80's and I don't recall this being an issue. I know he had to retake a class or two and I don't recall any drop in payments. They do get a higher payment for married couples.

Thanks stoked - I appreciate that. The kids aren't married yet, but will be in April so I guess his GI bill will go up then - that would be helpful for them (and me - maybe they can move out ;) )

[SFC(R)L]

If you change your course load/training time (for example, go from being a full-time student to a 3/4 time student), you must contact the School Certifying Official at your school or training facility. The official will send documentation to VA to adjust your benefits.

To avoid any possible overpayment of benefits, inform VA directly of your course load/training time change. If you’re receiving MGIB-SR, MGIB-AD or REAP, you may use Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE). To login to WAVE, click here. Recipients of any VA Education benefit can send a message to VA by clicking the “ask a question” tab above, or by calling 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to inform us of a reduction in your course load/training time.
https://www.gibill2.va.gov/vba/vba.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=9&p_created=996592939&p_sid=F8hun8Ej&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9MTUzLDE1MyZwX3Byb2RzPSZwX2NhdHM9MTgmcF9 wdj0mcF9jdj0xLjE4JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZ WFyY2hfbmwmcF9wYWdlPTM*&p_li=&p_topview=1

my advice is to consult the VA

[monkeymom]

If you change your course load/training time (for example, go from being a full-time student to a 3/4 time student), you must contact the School Certifying Official at your school or training facility. The official will send documentation to VA to adjust your benefits.

To avoid any possible overpayment of benefits, inform VA directly of your course load/training time change. If you’re receiving MGIB-SR, MGIB-AD or REAP, you may use Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE). To login to WAVE, click here. Recipients of any VA Education benefit can send a message to VA by clicking the “ask a question” tab above, or by calling 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to inform us of a reduction in your course load/training time.
https://www.gibill2.va.gov/vba/vba.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=9&p_created=996592939&p_sid=F8hun8Ej&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9MTUzLDE1MyZwX3Byb2RzPSZwX2NhdHM9MTgmcF9 wdj0mcF9jdj0xLjE4JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZ WFyY2hfbmwmcF9wYWdlPTM*&p_li=&p_topview=1

my advice is to consult the VA

Thanks SFC. SIL says he went online and submitted a question about this but has not received an answer as yet. He is a bit childish and defensive in these things, so I would not doubt that he actually hasn't taken steps to find out what the story is - he's just determined to do things his way and won't listen to anyone else. If it was just him I would say fine and let him take it in the shorts for a semester because he's too stubborn to ask, but my daughter will have to pick up the slack if his benefits drop so I am a bit preturbed with him right now.

Again, thanks so much for the info - I was hoping you would weigh in on this thread.

[SFC(R)L]

Thanks SFC. SIL says he went online and submitted a question about this but has not received an answer as yet. He is a bit childish and defensive in these things, so I would not doubt that he actually hasn't taken steps to find out what the story is - he's just determined to do things his way and won't listen to anyone else. If it was just him I would say fine and let him take it in the shorts for a semester because he's too stubborn to ask, but my daughter will have to pick up the slack if his benefits drop so I am a bit preturbed with him right now.

Again, thanks so much for the info - I was hoping you would weigh in on this thread.

You are welcome

as these are new changes, many are still trying to figure everything out, and that may include the advisor at the school. I would recommend an answer in writing from VA concerning the matter.