New GI Bill - behind schedule??

[monkeymom]

Good morning all. Since I know there are several vets and active duty members here, I often bring VA type questions to you - so thanks in advance for any info you can share.

My future son-in-law has been out of the Navy for almost 2 years now. He has been in college full-time for over a year so has been collecting on his GI bill. Recently the GI bill was changed and I guess there was the option to stay in the old system or change over to the new one. Since the new one looked better, my SIL followed the necessary steps to switch. All paperwork/information was done within the deadlines - but if I know my SIL, probably near the end of the deadline. I know that he filled out all the forms online several months ago - I think in July - and the VA rep at school had to resubmit his ed plan, which was done in early August.

So now for the problem. He was supposed to start getting some funds the first of this month (Sept.), and there is also a book stipend that should come also ass soon as his registration is verified (which it has been for over a month). At this point the VA is telling him that they are so backlogged with processing that it could be up to 4-6 weeks more before they get him through the system and the funding starts coming. I was wondering if anyone else is experiencing similar difficulties? Considering that he only works very part-time during the school semester it is really going to be a major, major issue for the kids if this doesn't get cleared up sooner than 4-6 weeks. Any suggestions to help speed things along, or is this just one of those wait as patiently as you can kind of situations?

Thanks so much,
Vicki

[ALBOB2]

I don't have any idea what the PROPER channels would be, but if you want to get something done by any form of military entity, call one of your Senators/Representatives. ;)

[monkeymom]

I don't have any idea what the PROPER channels would be, but if you want to get something done by any form of military entity, call one of your Senators/Representatives. ;)

Hey thanks ALBOB - that's a great idea. Lucky for us our Representative is from our city and is also quite closely involved with the college my SIL attends, so might bode well for him. I will definitely encourage my SIL to make a call to him.

Thanks again.

[ALBOB2]

You're very welcome. Had to do that myself many, MANY moons ago. Hate to admit it was Arlen Specter, but he certainly did get things done.

[starango]

I am sorry to say that most, including myself, are having to sit and wait. I had my application in July, but my school held off on turning in the certification until 8/28. Me and my husband are both not working because we thought we could go to school with the new GI Bill, both are vets. Now we are stuck in a rut, because they even made a mistake on my summer classes, which were the old system. This problem just got corrected, and I am waiting on the money now.
However, for the new system, we have been told by the school, the VA, and reading online that it will probably take more than six weeks from the time the school put in your certifcation to VA. I was told not to expect anything for the Fall Semester until Mid-October.
People are writing congressmen, and trying to make the media aware of this problem, but the VA is denying making any mistakes and one of the reps told me personally that notifying a congressman would do no good.
Try tooking on FACEBOOK @ http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=142756139851&comments#/gibillEducation and read through some of the problems people are having.
The WAVE verification website would also have updates @ https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do with a sign-in. This will also let him know when they actually received certification of enrollment from his school.

Hope this answers some questions and possibly draws attention to someone.

Stacy

[monkeymom]

Thanks so much Stacy, I will pass this information on to my SIL. Sorry to hear you and your husband are in such a tight spot - I hope the stress doesn't cause you too much trouble with school.

[Gabby]

There is strength in numbers. Maybe your SIL can run an ad in the school newspaper asking for contact with vets who are having similar issues. Than the group of vets could go to their representative and ask for help.

[ALBOB2]

VA is denying making any mistakes and one of the reps told me personally that notifying a congressman would do no good.


Don't believe that crap for an instant. The VA is deathly afraid of any bad press and this "warning" is them trying to cover their asses. You have every right in the world to contact your congressmen and they WILL make things happen. They might not be able to speed the process up much, but they will get things done.

[starango]

Thanks very much for the encouragement. I plan on calling my congessman's office tomorrow.
Stacy