The Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008
Latest Update:
The following links below provide the very latest news and information available for the Post 9/11 GI Bill or Ch.33 benefits. Students may begin applying for Ch.33 benefits starting May 1, 2009. Students eligible for the MGIB and Post 9/11 GI Bill should weigh their options and existing benefits carefully before selecting Ch.33; especially if they may also be eligible for the WI GI Bill. THE DECISION TO USE CH.33 BENEFITS IS IRREVOCABLE.
What You Should Know About the Post 9/11 GI Bill
Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefit Rates and Information
Changes to the WI GI Bill
Supplemental Payments: Supplemental Payments have been designed by the State of Wisconsin to help students offset
any monetary loss in benefits that they might experience when they switch from the Montgomery GI Bill to the Post
9/11 GI Bill. Ch.33 Students may qualify for these payments already during the fall 2009 semester but will be fully
implemented for the spring 2010 term. Read all about it at:
http://gibill.wisconsin.edu/ Contact the MEBO if you think you qualify.
Wisconsin GI Bill:
Changes to the Wisconsin GI Bill from the 2009-2011 Wisconsin State Budget:
The governor and state legislature passed legislation during the summer stipulating that eligible
student veterans (including eligible children and spouses) be required to use federal Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
benefits before receiving Wisconsin GI Bill benefits. The proposal is intended to maintain benefits for the majority of
veterans while increasing federal tuition dollars paid to Wisconsin colleges and universities. The changes are complex
and many factors are involved. Even if you are not eligible for the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may be required to
submit additional documentation to your school veterans' certifying official in order to continue to use the Wisconsin GI
Bill from the Spring 2010 semester onwards.
Stay informed: check the link below often for the very latest news as it arrives from Madison:
Changes to the WI GI Bill
Withdrawal Policy for WI GI Bill Users:
Effective with the spring 2008 semester students may withdraw completely from
their classes and not incur a tuition bill for that semester. Please read carefully the following
policy revision:
If you withdraw from the institution prior to the 100% refund deadline,
the semester and credits will not be counted toward the eight semesters and 128 credits allowed
for the WI G.I. Bill benefits. If you withdraw from the institution after the 100% refund
deadline, the semester and credits will count toward the eight semesters and 128 credits you
are allowed under the WI G.I. Bill.
In some cases, if the withdrawal is due to medical circumstances, you may
not be required to count the semester or credits against your WI GI Bill eligibility. Contact
the veterans' services coordinator at your campus for more information.
If you have questions about this policy revision, please contact the Military
Education Benefits Office.
Check the Status of your WI GI Bill on-line:
To see if your approved for the Wisconsin GI Bill, click on
https://services.dva.state.wi.us/WDVALogin.aspx Once there, sign up for a loginID and password. If this is your first time
applying for State veterans benefits, you won't be able to see your status until the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
"WDVA" assigns you a base number; which is part of the approval process. When you log on and see "WI GI Bill Eligibility Approved,"
it means you have been approved by the WDVA. They will notify your school of your eligibility within the next two weeks. Once the school
receives this information it will usually take about a week for the waiver to be placed on your student account.
Federal Montgomery GI Bill:
VA pay rates increase:
Effective October 1, 2009 the benefit rates for MGIB students will increase. Please visit the GI Bill website for more
information on this important update for the new school year at:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm
REAP/CH. 1607 Changes:
Are you struggling with your courses? You might want to take advantage of a tutor, courtesy of
the VA. The course that you receive tutoring in must be necessary for the completion of your approved program.
You must be enrolled at least halftime and be a recipient of Chapter 30, 33, 35, 1606, or 1607. The VA will pay up
to $100 per month for your tutorial assistance up to a maximum of $1200. If you would like to take advantage of
this program, stop by the Military Education Benefits Office for more information.
If one served for 2 continuous years on active duty with their Guard Unit they could qualify for the highest pay rate under
Ch.1607 which is 80% of the Ch.30 rate. NOW reservists who serve multiple tours equaling 3 years or more of aggregate service
may also be eligible to receive Ch.1607 at the highest pay rate. This change is effective January 28, 2008.
Eligible Ch.1607 participants may now participate in the "Buy-up" program. By contributing an additional $600, monthly payments
will increase by $150 during the eligibility period for Ch.1607 benefits.
Other changes have recently occurred that effect CH.1607 beneficiaries. Please visit the gibill.va.gov
website for additional information on the changes discussed in this section as well as other information affecting Ch.1607 participants.
Enrollment Certification:
For all of you receiving federal VA benefits you should be sure to turn in a "VA Benefits
Request Form" (located in the forms section of our website) for every semester that you would like to use
your benefits. On this form, you are given the option to request certification for fall and spring at the
same time. However, it's always a good idea to check with our office before EVERY semester to make sure that
your enrollment has been certified.
Schedule Changes and Failed Courses:
If you make changes to your schedule that changes your enrollment level you must complete a
Change of Course Load/Credits Form and send it
to our office. When grades are posted, our office reviews enrollment and grades to make sure that students completed
the courses that they were certified for. Failing grades are reported to us with the last date that the student
attended the class. Our office must notify the VA of the last date the student attended the class so that they
can adjust their rate of pay accordingly.
The VA may cover tutoring Costs:
Are you struggling with your courses? You might want to take advantage of a tutor, courtesy
of the VA. The course that you receive tutoring in must be necessary for the completion of your approved program.
You must be enrolled at least halftime and be a recipient of Chapter 30, 32, 35, or 1606. The VA will pay up to
$100 per month for your tutorial assistance up to a maximum of $1200. If you would like to take advantage of
this program, print off and complete the application at
http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/22-1990t.pdf.
Are you Planning to Attend Classes for Less Than Half-Time Enrollment, or are you
Currently Serving on Active Duty?
Please be aware that due to VA policy, any student enrolled less than half time and/or
who is on active duty AND is receiving the Wisconsin GI Bill will NOT be eligible for monthly Montgomery
GI Bill payments. Half time enrollment is considered to be less than 6 credits for undergraduates and
less than 4 credits for graduate students.
National Guard / VedEd Programs:
National Guard & VedEd Tuition Reimbursement Programs:
Due to a change in the Wisconsin Administrative Code, the deadline for submitting the VetEd pre-application
has increased from 30 days to 180 days after the start of a semester. The deadline for
submitting post-applications is unchanged.
If you are using the National Guard Tuition Grant you can pick up an application in our office, or online at:
http://dma.wi.gov/devops/docview.asp?docid=5841.
If you are using the VetEd program, be sure to complete your pre-application and post application online at
https://services.dva.state.wi.us/WDVALogin.aspx
Due to a change in the Wisconsin Administrative Code, the deadline for submitting the VetEd pre-application has increased from
30 days to 180 days after the start of a semester. The deadline for submitting post-applications
is unchanged.
Beginning with the WinterIM 2008 semester the National Guard Tuition Grant reimbursement program no
longer requires a pre-application. Students using the program only need to complete the application (DMA Form 189),
which is due within 60 days of the semester end date. The DMA Form 189 is available on our website under Forms, it's
labeled "National Guard Tuition Grant."
Tuition Assistance for National Guard Members:
Guard members receiving National Guard Tuition Grant reimbursement each semester for their
tuition may be eligible to receive reimbursement for segregated fees through Federal Tuition Assistance. For more
information visit: https://minuteman.ngb.army.mil/Benefits/Unsecured/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fbenefits%2f
or contact your unit education office.
Need Help Getting your NOBE?
National Guard Members who need to obtain their Notice of Basic Eligibility or NOBE for short
now have a one-stop shop to obtain this important documentation on-line. For more information visit:
https://minuteman.ngb.army.mil/Benefits/Unsecured/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fbenefits%2f. Members whose documentation is
not available on-line should contact their unit education offices.
Veterans Employment Resources:
The top job board for separating or retiring military personnel is
VetJobs.com ;
the only veteran-specific website in the top 30 employment websites of 2007. Post resumes, search for jobs,
find resources, and much more.
Scholarship Opportunities:
Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Iraqi Freedom have the opportunity to win $2500 scholarships.
Click on the enclosed link for more information about qualifications and details on how to apply.
http://www.afcea.org/education/scholarships/undergraduate/veteran.asp
Veterans request a DD-214 on-line:
The Office of Military Personnel Files has announced that veterans and the next of kin of deceased veterans
can now submit a request for a copy of their DD214, Record of Military Service on-line. For more information please visit:
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html
Campus Veterans Meet:
The Student Veterans' Organization is active again on campus this year in social events and
working towards academic goals beneficial to veterans on campus. This year's officers are: President Eddie Krogman,
Vice President: vacant, Treasurer Amanda Laur, and Secretary Sarah Norton. Watch your student email for updates or contact
the MEBO for more information.
