The USO and bank of america messed up my scholarship check. Here's the email i wrote. I had every survivor,widow and widower in mind!
I just talked to the customer solutions escalation team. They said that they received confidential information from a confidential source that the check would not clear. I cannot get a satisfactory explanation for this. They said that they are still waiting for the funds to be given to the bank. They also stated that if the check does not clear I will not receive the funds or there could be another hold placed. Today my account is -$1,029.42.
Where is the money?

I cannot help but remind people that I am 18 and have had limited experience with banking seeing as I have just recently been old enough to open an account. This, however, does not in any way mean that I have a lack of awareness as to what is going on nor do I lack the skills to comprehend this situation- if it was to be honestly explained.

I was under the impression that this money was supposed to help me pay for college because my father cannot, due to the fact that he died in Operation Desert Storm. And yet now I am worse off than I was before. This money does not cover 1/10th of my tuition and because of that and the fact that my mother lost her job I have had to take out a private loan.

Meaning that when I graduate from college I will be expected to pay $44,000+ for an education that will lead to an average salary of $30,000 a year-- if I am lucky. Furthermore I intend to go to Graduate school so that I can serve my country in the area of foreign diplomacy. So we can triple the "conservative" figure that represents not only my estimated personal debt, but years I will spend living pay check to pay check, dodging bill collectors, arguing with my spouse over financial troubles and constantly having to tell my future children no-- no I cannot take them on vacation, no they cannot play sports, no they cannot go on the class trip, no they cannot go to a private school even though the public schools in our area are heinous-- all because I was selfish enough to try and improve myself, because I wanted to do something meaningful with my life, because I was naive enough to believe in the american dream.

I heard most of these "no"s when I was a child because my mother had to suffer the death of her husband and still support three children. She bravely fought the adversity brought upon her by her husbands heroism on behalf of his country, and had to tell her kids "no" they cannot have this, or that, even though we had already been deprived of our father.

What I really don't understand is why everyone pities the people who live this scenario day to day, but never step up to the plate to do anything to help us. My father stepped up to the plate to help and defend his country-and he died for it, I never had him because I gave him to you. Now I have to give you my chances of being successful and happy in life as well?

Please explain that and why this check is costing me money instead of helping me buy my textbooks.

and you want us to do what?

nothing, just to know that this happens. i guess i was hoping for moral support from people who would understand this. sorry to bother you.

Join the military, earn the G.I. Bill, get a college education and a route to a better life. That's what I did...so can you.

Your situation does beg the question: "Should one dependent of a slain soldier be allowed to use that soldier's G.I.Bill?" You might put that question to your Congressman...

You should be collecting Social Security. They Pay while your under 18 and they pay after 18 if your going to school.
Don't know about your scholarship.

Shockey

The advice given by the three gentlemen is about the best you can expect.

I wish you well!

My heart goes out to you for your loss. I also know about your frusration over the money. My son served, got his GI BILL and is still in danger of being kicked out of school cause the VA hasnt honored his GI Bill.

The VA has financial aide programs for the offspring (you) of those who died in the service of their country. Where you in the DEERS system (have an ID card) from the military.

Here is the Link to the VA page on Survivor's Aid and Benefits
Survivor's Aid and Benefits

Dave

Thanks for allowing the hot link for the kid .

That is the VA and all US Government links are allowed. I think state government links should be OK also. .mil and .gov are always allowed.

I served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

Sorry to hear of your loss! Who was your Father with?

AWildEagle26
Semper Fidelis

quote:

Originally posted by greywolfghost:
Join the military, earn the G.I. Bill, get a college education and a route to a better life. That's what I did...so can you.

Your situation does beg the question: "Should one dependent of a slain soldier be allowed to use that soldier's G.I.Bill?" You might put that question to your Congressman...

Congress has all ready made that decision and it is yes. http://www.gibill.va.gov/docum.../Fry_Scholarship.pdf

And while it is too late for this year. AER also offers scholarships for children of disabled or deceased soldiers/veterans and does the American Veterans Council and several service organizations.

quote:

Originally posted by justmonicainwf:
My heart goes out to you for your loss. I also know about your frusration over the money. My son served, got his GI BILL and is still in danger of being kicked out of school cause the VA hasnt honored his GI Bill.

Does he know about the $3000.00 emergency advance payments for those who have not been paid by VA for education benefit programs? www.va.gov

If this is on the up and up, I apologize for introducing a subject that can stir up old hurts.

That said ...

If the OP is now 18, bear in mind that Desert Shield began in July/August 1990, and Operation Desert Storm in Dec '90/Jan '91 - and it was OVER (hostility-wise) by March 1991. So the OP was either still hatching or barely-hatched. The timelines are very tight.

As I said, if my suspicions are unfounded, then great - and no proof is required here, of course.

My son tried to get the emergency stipend and now is being messed around on that.

I have been in the system since 1977. I did not use it again until 7 years ago. When I did, as a SC vet, I was still in the system.

If your son was injured in the service (combat or otherwise), and was discharged for medical reasons, he should have been processed for VA compensation and enrolled in the VA before discharge. I did when the PEB decided to discharge me for medical reasons. 32 years ago the VA was much different.

So my question - did your son apply for VA Compensation? Was he discharged for injuries in service via a PEB? Has he ever enrolled in VA healthcare and received a ID card? Does he have a letter stating he is eligible for the GI bill?

If your father died while serving in a war, you should be eligible for Dependents Educational Assitance Program. Google that exact term and you will get information.

Essentially, if a Parent dies while serving or from complications from a war you rate a specific assistance from the VA.

quote:

Originally posted by Coast58:
If your father died while serving in a war, you should be eligible for Dependents Educational Assitance Program. Google that exact term and you will get information.

Essentially, if a Parent dies while serving or from complications from a war you rate a specific assistance from the VA.

Don't need to google - just go to http://www.gibill.va.gov and click on the link for Survivors' and Dependnent Education Assistance Program (DEA).

But this person needs to apply under the new program Congress just passed: http://www.gibill.va.gov/docum.../Fry_Scholarship.pdf The Fry Scholarship give children in his/her situtation both the 36 months of Post 9/11 GI Bill AND the 45 months of DEA

What happened to the $400,000.00 Your Mother got because her Husband was killed in Desert Storm???

quote:

Originally posted by EOCRon:
What happened to the $400,000.00 Your Mother got because her Husband was killed in Desert Storm???

There is no guarantee that she received $400,000 as service members may choose the amount of SGLI benefits they want to pay for and who that money will go to. Could have been previous marriage/children. So please don't just assume.