Post 9/11 GI bill for flight training?
02-04-2012, 09:27 AM
#81
New Hire
Joined APC: Oct 2011
Posts: 7
Fellas/Ladies-
More of the same, but I want to share my details on reimbursement. I won't even begin to b*&^h about how ****ed I am that they are going to take 10 months when they told me they would only take the length of training before I filed my paperwork. I'll save that for my US Rep when I feel like wasting more of my life away.
I am an AD guy who attended CPT in October (highly recommended, btw) with a Guard guy. Our claim was filed on October 17, 2011. I was initially told 6-8 weeks to get reimbursed. Well, it's February now, I've spent over 14 hours on the phone, on hold, and multiple days waiting for my "call-back appointments" and was finally told it was with the processors and the only way I could communicate with them is by the GI BILL website "ask a question" function. Here is my response:
Dear Big Poppa Pump (name changed to protect my identity)
Anything relating to Flight Training is delegated to a special processing team where their processing times are said to be on average, 60 to 90 days. When they review an application, if there is something they need, they would then mail you a letter if your application was completed incorrectly. This did not happen because they had not reviewed the application and other documents submitted. At this time, it is still assigned to them to be processed. Although they show this information having been received October 17, 2011, we do not have any way of expediting a claim processed by that department. After reviewing everything, they would appear to have all the necessary documents to work the claim. At this time, we do not have any further time frame to give you for when this may be completed, as you can tell, they are behind on their estimated processing time. You can check back with us periodically, but this is all we can suggest at this time.
Thank you for contacting the VA.
GS/2767
Muskogee RPO
Beautiful... "as you can tell they are behind" Ah hell, it's not like I bought a car, got married, separated from AD, and am trying to close on a house or anything. $7,300 is pocket change! Yes, it was in that order, and throwing humor/sarcasm into the situation helps me laugh and keep my sanity.
Long story short, was it worth it? Yes, I got the job. Do I understand why all the Vets are ****ed at the VA? Hell yes
More of the same, but I want to share my details on reimbursement. I won't even begin to b*&^h about how ****ed I am that they are going to take 10 months when they told me they would only take the length of training before I filed my paperwork. I'll save that for my US Rep when I feel like wasting more of my life away.
I am an AD guy who attended CPT in October (highly recommended, btw) with a Guard guy. Our claim was filed on October 17, 2011. I was initially told 6-8 weeks to get reimbursed. Well, it's February now, I've spent over 14 hours on the phone, on hold, and multiple days waiting for my "call-back appointments" and was finally told it was with the processors and the only way I could communicate with them is by the GI BILL website "ask a question" function. Here is my response:
Dear Big Poppa Pump (name changed to protect my identity)
Anything relating to Flight Training is delegated to a special processing team where their processing times are said to be on average, 60 to 90 days. When they review an application, if there is something they need, they would then mail you a letter if your application was completed incorrectly. This did not happen because they had not reviewed the application and other documents submitted. At this time, it is still assigned to them to be processed. Although they show this information having been received October 17, 2011, we do not have any way of expediting a claim processed by that department. After reviewing everything, they would appear to have all the necessary documents to work the claim. At this time, we do not have any further time frame to give you for when this may be completed, as you can tell, they are behind on their estimated processing time. You can check back with us periodically, but this is all we can suggest at this time.
Thank you for contacting the VA.
GS/2767
Muskogee RPO
Beautiful... "as you can tell they are behind" Ah hell, it's not like I bought a car, got married, separated from AD, and am trying to close on a house or anything. $7,300 is pocket change! Yes, it was in that order, and throwing humor/sarcasm into the situation helps me laugh and keep my sanity.
Long story short, was it worth it? Yes, I got the job. Do I understand why all the Vets are ****ed at the VA? Hell yes
02-05-2012, 06:33 AM
#84
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2010
Position: Challenger 300/350 FO
Posts: 121
Originally Posted by Galaxy
Beautiful... "as you can tell they are behind" Ah hell, it's not like I bought a car, got married, separated from AD, and am trying to close on a house or anything. $7,300 is pocket change! Yes, it was in that order, and throwing humor/sarcasm into the situation helps me laugh and keep my sanity.
Long story short, was it worth it? Yes, I got the job. Do I understand why all the Vets are ****ed at the VA? Hell yes
Started the "expedited" process 3 months before retirement. That was 15 months ago. Still with the "processors." Although they do find the time to send me a letter every few months to apologize for the delay and their backlog.
06-19-2012, 05:34 PM
#85
New Hire
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 1
Originally Posted by FlyBoyd
Well, I asked the VA again on their help website. I cited the reference numbers from our previous conversations where they stated we would be charged one month. Here was their response.
Dear Mr. FlyBoyd:
Here is the way that we will calculate months charged on Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, pertaining to flight training: If you are at 100% and we pay $10,000 for your flight training, regardless of how long the training lasts, we will charge you 1 year of your benefit. So if your charges for the year are $7,300, this is almost 75% of the $10,000 cap, so you will be charges almost 75% of a year (which would come out to be between 8 and 9 months on your benefit).
Thank you for contacting the Department of Veterans Affairs.
kld/2574
Muskogee RPO
Dear Mr. FlyBoyd:
Here is the way that we will calculate months charged on Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, pertaining to flight training: If you are at 100% and we pay $10,000 for your flight training, regardless of how long the training lasts, we will charge you 1 year of your benefit. So if your charges for the year are $7,300, this is almost 75% of the $10,000 cap, so you will be charges almost 75% of a year (which would come out to be between 8 and 9 months on your benefit).
Thank you for contacting the Department of Veterans Affairs.
kld/2574
Muskogee RPO
First time poster here. Found the site (this thread in particular) today researching the topic of how the Post 911 GI Bill is calculated for flight training. My question concerning your response from the VA above is this: Shouldn't it be almost 75% of an academic year (9 months)? Isn't that how the VA came up with 36 months of eligibility for this new GI Bill? 9 months per academic year X 4 years of school = 36 months. I called the VA the other day to ask about how flight training is calculated but the person on the other end could only tell me that it's capped at $10,000/yr for public institutions or $17,500/yr for private institutions. She was absolutely no help and left me just as confused.
07-01-2012, 07:50 AM
#86
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Posts: 86
Just got my final VA payment and benefits statement for HPA 73 type training. Took 6+ months to process. I had all 36 mos of benefits to start, VA paid 100% ($7350), and total benefit utilization was 8 mo's, 26 days. 27 mos, 4 days of benefit remaining.
Couple thoughts/considerations I pondered before using this:
1. My kids are young (6&9) so I FULLY expect this program will change (ie - go down or away) by the time they hit college.
2. If it goes away, at least I'll have benefited a little
3. Assumption (maybe bad?) my financial status will be better in 10yrs.
For those with dependents using it soon, maybe worth deferring and using the full benefit for them - you'll get more $$$ / mo of benefit than you will for flight training. I hedged my bets...
PM me if you have Qs.
Couple thoughts/considerations I pondered before using this:
1. My kids are young (6&9) so I FULLY expect this program will change (ie - go down or away) by the time they hit college.
2. If it goes away, at least I'll have benefited a little
3. Assumption (maybe bad?) my financial status will be better in 10yrs.
For those with dependents using it soon, maybe worth deferring and using the full benefit for them - you'll get more $$$ / mo of benefit than you will for flight training. I hedged my bets...
PM me if you have Qs.
07-01-2012, 10:42 AM
#87
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,122
Originally Posted by Chinabug
Just got my final VA payment and benefits statement for HPA 73 type training. Took 6+ months to process. I had all 36 mos of benefits to start, VA paid 100% ($7350), and total benefit utilization was 8 mo's, 26 days. 27 mos, 4 days of benefit remaining.
Couple thoughts/considerations I pondered before using this:
1. My kids are young (6&9) so I FULLY expect this program will change (ie - go down or away) by the time they hit college.
2. If it goes away, at least I'll have benefited a little
3. Assumption (maybe bad?) my financial status will be better in 10yrs.
For those with dependents using it soon, maybe worth deferring and using the full benefit for them - you'll get more $$$ / mo of benefit than you will for flight training. I hedged my bets...
PM me if you have Qs.
Couple thoughts/considerations I pondered before using this:
1. My kids are young (6&9) so I FULLY expect this program will change (ie - go down or away) by the time they hit college.
2. If it goes away, at least I'll have benefited a little
3. Assumption (maybe bad?) my financial status will be better in 10yrs.
For those with dependents using it soon, maybe worth deferring and using the full benefit for them - you'll get more $$$ / mo of benefit than you will for flight training. I hedged my bets...
PM me if you have Qs.
Also, very good point on the benefits going away. I don't believe for an instant we'll have a GI Bill in any form 10-15 years from now. The military retirement will follow shortly.
07-01-2012, 10:43 AM
#88
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Position: Looking for a right seat!!!
Posts: 44
Attended CPT in April and still waiting for reimbursement. I am not expecting a payment anytime soon either. Still agree with the posts that it may not be there later for my seven or two year old so I still decided to use it. Came down to me to the old saying a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Your call!
07-01-2012, 05:24 PM
#89
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2012
Posts: 13
Originally Posted by Husker Flyer
Is there anyone from this post/forum currently utilizing the Post 9/11 GI Bill for flight training at an IHL? I've just been informed by the VA rep at ERU in Prescott that the bill will no longer pay for training at their establishment - for degree programs, only public institutions are eligible.
I've heard there are initial payment delays, overage costs, etc.
Any tips/tricks from current/former Post 9/11 GI Bill students?
I've heard there are initial payment delays, overage costs, etc.
Any tips/tricks from current/former Post 9/11 GI Bill students?
I visited ERAU Prescott Campus in April, for Veterans they cover entire tuition with the help of Yellow Ribbon which is limited. VA doesn't pay for flight training costs at ERAU! That is FACT! They do however cover costs at a state school where flight training is part of your college education. That is why I chose ASU.
07-01-2012, 05:29 PM
#90
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2012
Posts: 13
Originally Posted by RepOfTexas
Gentlmen,
First time poster here. Found the site (this thread in particular) today researching the topic of how the Post 911 GI Bill is calculated for flight training. My question concerning your response from the VA above is this: Shouldn't it be almost 75% of an academic year (9 months)? Isn't that how the VA came up with 36 months of eligibility for this new GI Bill? 9 months per academic year X 4 years of school = 36 months. I called the VA the other day to ask about how flight training is calculated but the person on the other end could only tell me that it's capped at $10,000/yr for public institutions or $17,500/yr for private institutions. She was absolutely no help and left me just as confused.
First time poster here. Found the site (this thread in particular) today researching the topic of how the Post 911 GI Bill is calculated for flight training. My question concerning your response from the VA above is this: Shouldn't it be almost 75% of an academic year (9 months)? Isn't that how the VA came up with 36 months of eligibility for this new GI Bill? 9 months per academic year X 4 years of school = 36 months. I called the VA the other day to ask about how flight training is calculated but the person on the other end could only tell me that it's capped at $10,000/yr for public institutions or $17,500/yr for private institutions. She was absolutely no help and left me just as confused.
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