RE: http://forums.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/learn-to-use-your-gi-bill

I lost my MGIB from not using it, however, my husband is trying to use his. He has been in college one year and after 2 months MGIB stopped sending checks for the college. They sent a letter saying they over paid us 750$ and they want us to pay it back before they send any more checks. Well the school year finished and we cant get them to send the rest of the year's monthly payments to the college because they made a mistake and over paid us. WHY cant they just adjust the next payment of the MGIB to reflect the change. Why is this such a hard thing for the MGIB people to do?! This is outrageous and we are so frustrated and cant even continue the 2nd year now because of this hold up. We are very angry and upset about this and they arent trying to do anything but get money from us. The money we got from them originally went to the college and we dont have that money.

Has anyone dealt with this ridicuious situation too, or do you know how to fix it so we can get the rest of the first years money to the college and then start the 2nd year???

Desperately need help.

Hi,
I am terribly sorry to hear your situation. I went through the same thing, for almost the same amount of money. The GI Bill folks sent a check to the school, which ended up being sent back as the amount was not correct, based upon the amount of units I was taking. A couple weeks later I get a letter saying that they had overpaid me and they wanted their money back (which is crazy, 'cuz it's really ''my'' money, I and you are the ones who paid into this)! This followed with numerous telephone calls to the school, GI BIll folks and the US Treasury (the folks that cut the checks). The school had sent the check back, but as the US Treasury had not yet received it, they had not updated their records, so it was showing as 'sent' in the GI Bill peoples systems (I know, it's crazy how many different places you have to go through). I wrote a letter explaining what happened and called more times than I care to count, being sure to take peoples names and talking to their suppervisors. Finally, they said they's research it and put their demands for the money-back, on hold. But they still wouldn't send me any tuition money until they figured it out. I waited 2 more weeks and called again and was told the check had still not appeared. After another week, I called and spoke to the GI Bill folks and they said "Oh yes, the check got back to the US Treasury people over 2 weeks ago! Your account is good and we can send you money for school." I asked them why they hadn't told me this, or sent me money and I received no decent answer.
All of this is to say: it's going to suck, but whatever the situation was, whether your check was returned, or whether they screwed up in their system, just stay on-'em, call, take names and numbers and demand to speak with supervisors! If they said they sent you a check, as for proof. These checks all have tracking numbers (that's how they tracked mine) and offer to give them bank account records, etc. showing that you don't have the money. Make THEM work to find this supposed check that they overpaid to you. And finally, in the midst of all of this, write a letter to your governer and congressman, informing them of the situation and CC the GI Bill folks, so they know you are on the ball and involving them with the higher-ups.
Again, I am very sorry for your frustration and anger! I completely understand! How the GI Bill is handled has to be one of the most antiquated systems ever!
Just keep-on keeping-on. You and your husband earned this money, now don't give up!

Your situation is not the same but close enough. This may not be the short term solution you are looking for but it is a start. Anyone else with the same position please take a look....

I wanted to draw your attention to this important petition that I
recently signed:

"Montgomery GI Bill"
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/gibill?e

I really think this is an important cause, and I'd like to encourage
you to add your signature, too. It's free and takes less than a minute of
your time.

Thanks!
---------------------------------------------

Once again, thanks for signing the petition!
Sincerely,
-iPetitions Campaigns Team

p.s. If you would like to start your own free petition, you can do so
here:
http://www.ipetitions.com/start-petition

Im about to enroll in a trade course so i understand that before i can recieve the GI bill benifits, i must show proof of enrollment. Now with that said, how long after i show proff will I receive the money for the course?

Hi to all, I hav not yet been through what you are now going through. But I do strongly feel your pain. I have just gotten married to a guy named Matthew collin who is now in Iraq. H e says that he wants to go to college but does not have the time for it at this moment. I keep telling him the longer he waits the less he is going to want to go. What more advice would you be able to tell me just to give him encourage? HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!

I've been on Active Duty for 11 years. I just tapped my MGIB to take a distance learning class. If/when Webb's new education bill (S.22) is enacted, will they prorate the amount I still have available, or will they start from scratch? I've only used $1000---one month's worth. I'd hate to lose out on additional money just because I used GI Bill for the first time in 2008.

Any advice from the moderators?

I was in the Navy for 8 years. 1976-1984 on the Vietnam-era GI Bill. I got out in May 1984, started college full-time in Feb. 1989. Unless my math is incorrect 1984 + 10 = 1994.
My checkes stopped coming in Jan 1990.
When I asked what was going on I was told I only had until Decemebr 1989 to use my GI Bill.
Why??!?!
Why didn't I get the full 10 years just like every other veteran??
After graduation I had PILES of Student Loans to pay off. I paid them for 12 years and then got laid off from my job. I put my loan into deferral. It later defaulted. Now all my income tax refunds go to the government to pay off my defualt AND THE $10,000.00 PENALTY FEE!!!
I REPEAT: THE $10,000.00 PENALTY FEE.
All I wanted out of my 8 years service to my country was an education.
What a nightmare it has turned out to be.
It just doesn't seem like ti was worth it.

Well I am going thru the same thing you are. I went in May 26, 1976 and got out in August 1984. I have been trying unsuccessfully for years to get reimbursed. Do note time 38 Defiinitions 3452 and 3461 state we are covered. I am currently in the process of appealing. I graduated from college in 1994 so I too was within the 10 years. It seems that we have to be converted into one of the later GI Bills as they got rid of the Vietnam Era GI BILL. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec...2----000-.html#a_1_B

Hopefully the va starts taking apps soon for the new gi bill i plan on going in the fall here and would like the benefits when i start if not i guess i'll have to use the old gi bill and figure something out to get the rest.

quote:

Originally posted by 9648852:
Hopefully the va starts taking apps soon for the new gi bill i plan on going in the fall here and would like the benefits when i start if not i guess i'll have to use the old gi bill and figure something out to get the rest.

The UNOFFICIAL word is that VA should be able to start taking application sometime in May. Keep checking back on the www.gibill.va.gov web site for updates/changes to the program.

quote:

Posted Sat 26 April 2008 02:15 PM Hide Post
Im about to enroll in a trade course so i understand that before i can recieve the GI bill benifits, i must show proof of enrollment. Now with that said, how long after i show proff will I receive the money for the course?
Posts: 2 | Registered: Sat 26 April 2008

You are not he one that needs to show proof that you are going to school..your school needs to send in proof by sending in a certified enrollment. What you have to do is apply for benefits using a VA form 22-1990 or go online and fill out an apllication. If you do the online app it will say to make a copy and send it in with a signature. No need to send in the signature anymore.This application will establish a claim for benefits. The VA will issue you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Take the COE to your trade school's Veteran's Certifying official to get the ball rolling. Good luck to you.

quote:

New Member
Posted Mon 21 January 2008 06:07 PM
RE: http://forums.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/learn-to-use-your-gi-bill

I lost my MGIB from not using it, however, my husband is trying to use his. He has been in college one year and after 2 months MGIB stopped sending checks for the college. They sent a letter saying they over paid us 750$ and they want us to pay it back before they send any more checks. Well the school year finished and we cant get them to send the rest of the year's monthly payments to the college because they made a mistake and over paid us. WHY cant they just adjust the next payment of the MGIB to reflect the change. Why is this such a hard thing for the MGIB people to do?! This is outrageous and we are so frustrated and cant even continue the 2nd year now because of this hold up. We are very angry and upset about this and they arent trying to do anything but get money from us. The money we got from them originally went to the college and we dont have that money.

Has anyone dealt with this ridicuious situation too, or do you know how to fix it so we can get the rest of the first years money to the college and then start the 2nd year???

Desperately need help.
Posts: 3 | Registered: Mon 21 January 2008

Tell your husband to just go ahead and enroll for the next semester/quarter. When the VA puts your new enrollment in the computer it will automatically collect any debt your husband has. However, if money is tight for you right now then request that your debt be WAIVED. There is a form for doing that but the form number escapes me at the moment. Send this to VA. Along with it send in a statement that states your current joint income then list all your monthly bills such as power bill, car payment, childcare expenses etc. The trick here is to show the VA that there is no way you can afford to pay back the $750. So when you send in your statement with income/bills on it you should pretty much show that you need all your current income to pay bills and that you have nothing left over to repay the debt. In other words, for example, if your monthly income is $2000 show VA that your bills are $2001. This paperwork that you send in will go to the Committee on Waivers. And if you do your statement properly as I have described above, the VA will (more than likely will) forgive the debt. The VA will not ask you for proof of income or proof of pay outs. The VA will simply take you at your word. Try it, you'll like it. Here's another piece of advice...if your husband does enroll in school again, and VA takes the first $750 out of his next check, and if you are awarded the waiver...fight to get that first $750 back. Once you receive the waiver for the money that means you start at $00 again. Let us know how it goes for you.

What ever you do get it in writting. I did 8.5 years active got out was told that I lost my GI bill because it changed. Was too young to question it and gave up. Found out about 15 years later that I did in fact NOT loose it but since the 10 years expired I did loose it. Govt stinks in that regard. I put in another 14 years and 11 months with the guard and reserve to find out that one does not get any benefits to use after retiring there. Go figure. So I say get it in writting. I was also told that at retirement age (60) we would have access to the VA hospitals but fear that is a lie as well.

quote:

Originally posted by tcook19440:
What ever you do get it in writting. I did 8.5 years active got out was told that I lost my GI bill because it changed. Was too young to question it and gave up. Found out about 15 years later that I did in fact NOT loose it but since the 10 years expired I did loose it. Govt stinks in that regard. I put in another 14 years and 11 months with the guard and reserve to find out that one does not get any benefits to use after retiring there. Go figure. So I say get it in writting. I was also told that at retirement age (60) we would have access to the VA hospitals but fear that is a lie as well.

1. You were given the information on your GI Bill when you enlisted - in writing - go back and read your enlistment contract.

2. While you were on Active Duty you had access to Education Centers - they had all the information- you could have stoped in and asked at any time.

3. When you joined the Guard and the Reserves (you were in both?) you would have again been given information on Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve benefits while in the Guard and/or Reserves - again - you didn't read it. If you had you would have know that you can only use this benefit while you are drilling with a unit.

4. IF you spent time on Active Duty while in either the Guard or Reserves - your 10 year delimiting date on your first Montgomery GI Bill was extended. If it has been less than 10 years since you were last on Active Duty - you can still use this benefit.

Everyone does get it in writing - unfortunately too many people don't bother to read all the information they are given.