Education office outlines new GI Bill Published July 6, 2009 By Howdy Stout Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The new Post 9/11 GI Bill is set to take effect Aug. 1 despite some elements still under scrutiny by the individual services and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill, passed last summer, is designed to benefit active duty military members and veterans who served on active duty after Sept. 11, 2001. Glenn Gardner, section chief for the Tinker Education office, said the processes for implementing all aspects of the bill are still fluid at Air Force, Department of Defense and VA levels. "We're anxious to see the final outcome of these processes," he said Speaking during a benefits briefing, Mr. Gardner said the VA and DOD are still interpreting the legislation governing the bill and polishing the details for implementation. Some details of the bill could still be amended by Congress based on various amendments currently being considered. "This is an ongoing process," agreed J.D. Coy, education counselor. Although similar to the current Montgomery GI Bill, the Post 9/11 GI Bill is much broader in scope and coverage. The new bill provides tuition and fees, a housing allowance, a book stipend and some other benefits in addition to a transferability option for those seeking advanced education from an accredited institution of higher learning. The bill does not overtly provide funding for technical or trade schools, but there may be some exceptions depending on individual circumstances. Veterans with up to 36 months of aggregate active service duty are eligible for up to 36 months of education assistance. "That's equivalent to four years of college," Mr. Coy said. "that's enough to cover a complete bachelor's degree program." There are significant differences between the more-familiar Montgomery GI Bill and the new bill. "All previous GI bills expired after 10 years from a servicemember's date of separation, which meant it had to be used before that delimitating time or the benefits would be lost," Mr. Coy said. "This one allows you 15 years to use all 36 months of benefits. They're giving you every opportunity to use the benefits." Under the Montgomery Bill, veterans pay their own tuition costs and are essentially reimbursed -- up to a certain monthly dollar rate -- by the VA with bill benefits. Under the new bill, the VA pays the school directly, up to a maximum set limit that varies from state to state. That limit is based on the highest-costing program offered by a state school, which virtually ensures that veterans receive the maximum benefits according to where they are attending school. The new bill also provides a monthly housing allowance and an annual stipend for textbooks. It even has provisions for a maximum $ 1,200 tutorial assistance allowance and a one-time $500 rural benefit for travel expenses. Active duty members who qualify will have a choice of which bill to use. Members can convert from the Montgomery Bill to the new Post 9/11 bill, although any benefits used before the transfer will deducted from the total amount of available benefits. Members transferring to the new bill, though, will lose the Buy Up option used to increase tuition assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill. And refunds of the initial $1,200 benefit enrollment fee required by the Montgomery GI Bill might not be refunded depending on individual circumstances. The new bill eliminates the enrollment fee altogether. Benefits can also be transferred to spouses and children. However, the member must be on active duty to transfer any benefits. Members are eligible for benefits based on their active duty service time. Members serving 36 months of honorable active duty will receive the maximum of 36 months of educational benefits. Those who serve honorably for less than 36 months will receive a prorated amount of benefits based on their total aggregate service. The Air Force has not yet resolved the eligibility of high-year tenure members. Each service is setting its own policy and Mr. Coy says he expects the Air Force's policy will be fair. Finally, like the Montgomery GI Bill, this new bill can also be used in conjunction with Air Force Tuition Assistance (the Top-Up Program) to pay for fees not fully covered by TA alone. "The amount of GI Bill benefits used under the Top-Up program are essentially the same as with the MGIB except that the calculation formula is based on a daily rate instead of a dollar amount," Mr. Coy said. Mr. Coy suggests that eligible members consider all their options under both bills before choosing which one to use as individual circumstances may make one bill more attractive and beneficial than another. "From the outset I've heard (the Post 9/11 Bill) a better bill," Mr. Coy said. "I'm not convinced it is in all cases because it depends on individual situation." Another briefing with detailed, up-to-date information will be held at the base theater 9 a.m. July 13.