Important Info for new Accessions - GI Bill

[Out in 2008]

I've been going through TAP (separation) class this week and although I've always known the GI Bill was a good deal I never really knew how good it could be for us docs. GI Bill applies for any active duty unless you recieved a commission from a service academy or ROTC (unfortunately that's the case for me).

GI Bill is an automatic program. You have to expressly decline the program in writing. DO NOT DO THIS. You will have $100/month taken out of your first years salary (total $1200). When you first come on active duty, make sure this money is being taken out; I don't think you can buy into it later. If it's not talk to your PSD and find out why. PERS 352 1-866-827-5672 also handles this program.

If you get out after at least 3 years of service as a GMO. The GI Bill will pay you a monthly tax free stipend for 36 months during your residency. This stipend is currently $1100/month. Do the math, $1200 investment, up to $39K payback. It will certainly take the sting out of the big pay cut when you start residency.

There are of course a lot of details to this program but this is the gist of it. You can check out www.va.gov under education benefits for more details.

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Members don't see this ad.

 

[DiveMD]

Also you can contribute as much as $600 for the "kicker" or "buy-up":

"ONLY persons currently on active duty who first entered service after June 30, 1985 can contribute (to their military branch) in increments of $20 up to $600. Members who are being separated under a voluntary or involuntary separation program do not qualify, unless they were eligible before the discharge program.

If you are on active duty, you will need to contact your Education Services Officer to begin contributing to the program. In general, each $20 a service member contributes to the "Buy-Up" will add $5 to the full-time monthly rate. "

IOW: $150 extra every month for a one time $600 contribution.

 

[pgg]

When you first come on active duty, make sure this money is being taken out; I don't think you can buy into it later.

Supposedly all you have to do is write a memo asserting that you were "incorrectly counseled" on the GI Bill when you entered (as just about every MC accession is), and you will be allowed to catch up on the missed contributions.

My entire OIS class of 200+ entering HPSPs was explicitly told to opt out of the GI Bill because the Navy was already paying for our education, and that we'd never be able to collect benefits. I'm sure the Navy is quite used to exiting physicians discovering that they were misinformed.

I don't know who that memo goes to, who has to endorse it, or what else needs to be done - but I remember a couple of GMOs telling me they were making lump sum contributions to catch up, and that they'd be collecting benefits as civilian residents.

Remember though, you were "incorrectly counseled" and/or it was a "clerical error" ... you didn't just "change your mind" about it.

 

[doc4sure]

I've been going through TAP (separation) class this week and although I've always known the GI Bill was a good deal I never really knew how good it could be for us docs. GI Bill applies for any active duty unless you recieved a commission from a service academy or ROTC (unfortunately that's the case for me).

GI Bill is an automatic program. You have to expressly decline the program in writing. DO NOT DO THIS. You will have $100/month taken out of your first years salary (total $1200). When you first come on active duty, make sure this money is being taken out; I don't think you can buy into it later. If it's not talk to your PSD and find out why. PERS 352 1-866-827-5672 also handles this program.

If you get out after at least 3 years of service as a GMO. The GI Bill will pay you a monthly tax free stipend for 36 months during your residency. This stipend is currently $1100/month. Do the math, $1200 investment, up to $39K payback. It will certainly take the sting out of the big pay cut when you start residency.

There are of course a lot of details to this program but this is the gist of it. You can check out www.va.gov under education benefits for more details.

So the $100 is for one year only? Your example is for a 36 month GMO. Does your 4th year not count for accruing benefits?

 

[i want out]

So the $100 is for one year only? Your example is for a 36 month GMO. Does your 4th year not count for accruing benefits?

If you want more details, the VA websight is slightly less confusing than any of the military web sights.

You pay the $100 a month for the first 12 months of active duty and then can pay the $600 buy up (kicker) for more benefits.

You will have to check the VA websight for the exact time, but you also have to spend a minimum amount of time on active duty to receive the benefits.

The 36 months that is referenced above is in relation to how long the benefit will be payed out while your in an educational status.

another thing to be aware of, is that many places may not have their residencies approved as VA training sights, and you may lose several months of benefits while they go through the application process.

I want out (of IRR)

 

[almostfamous]

If you want more details, the VA websight is slightly less confusing than any of the military web sights.

You pay the $100 a month for the first 12 months of active duty and then can pay the $600 buy up (kicker) for more benefits.

You will have to check the VA websight for the exact time, but you also have to spend a minimum amount of time on active duty to receive the benefits.

The 36 months that is referenced above is in relation to how long the benefit will be payed out while your in an educational status.

another thing to be aware of, is that many places may not have their residencies approved as VA training sights, and you may lose several months of benefits while they go through the application process.

I want out (of IRR)

are you only eligible if the residency is affiliated with a university? how would that work for community hospitals/county hospitals?

 

[cavaor]

How is this listed on an LES to know for sure its being taken out?

 

[BigNavyPedsGuy]

How is this listed on an LES to know for sure its being taken out?

One of hte deductions is MGIB (stands for Montgomery GI Bill).

This will also work for a fellowship if you want to do a military residency, pay back your time and then do a fellowship in the outside world.

 

[IgD]

Here is a link with the VA application forms:
http://www.militarymedicine.com/gibill

 

[pgg]

This will also work for a fellowship if you want to do a military residency, pay back your time and then do a fellowship in the outside world.

... unless you're a graduate of a service academy (and yes this includes USUHS).

 

[DiveMD]

Is anyone in this forum currently on civilian residency and receiving GI Bill benefits? I was told that the monthly payment during residency (OJT=on job training) is less than $1,100 and that it declines overtime. Can someone currently receiving the benefits clarify this? Please include the exact amount of money received monthly. THANKS!

 

[sethco]

another thing to be aware of, is that many places may not have their residencies approved as VA training sights, and you may lose several months of benefits while they go through the application process.

This is true (and you can find a list of approved programs on the GI bill website), it is very easy to get a residency "approved" for the GI bill, whether residency or fellowship. The only caveat is in order to start the benefits immediately when you start your training, you have to get the ball rolling at least 6 months in advance because a lot of paperwork has to transpire. FYI, I just got my residency program added to the approved list.

 

[sethco]

are you only eligible if the residency is affiliated with a university? how would that work for community hospitals/county hospitals?

It does not matter what kind of training program (i.e. Univeristy vs. Community-based). As long as you get the program approved, you get the GI bill benefits.

I would suggest that all AD individuals (even the ones that have already done residency and/or fellowship) to invest in the GI bill. It can be applied to nearly any training program (i.e. Pilot's training program, Cooking school, MBA, PhD, whatever). It is by far one of the best kept secrets (that shouldn't be so secret) in the military for docs.

 

[DiveMD]

I guess my question is:

Is residency considered an OJT (on the job training)? Anyone???

 

[BomberDoc]

This is just another one of the lies that the military tells docs. I remember at COT/OTS/whatever they called it that year, we were all sitting in an auditorium and some finance guy got up in front of us and told us all to waive/refuse/deny Montgomery GI bill because, "The military is already paying for your education, and you will never use it. You will lose $100 per paycheck for nothing."

Thanks a$$hole, you just turned the screw a couple more rotations.

I'm sure it is too late to sign up with 100 days left of duty.

 

[Dr. Wexler]

This is just another one of the lies that the military tells docs. I remember at COT/OTS/whatever they called it that year, we were all sitting in an auditorium and some finance guy got up in front of us and told us all to waive/refuse/deny Montgomery GI bill because, "The military is already paying for your education, and you will never use it. You will lose $100 per paycheck for nothing."

Thanks a$$hole, you just turned the screw a couple more rotations.

I'm sure it is too late to sign up with 100 days left of duty.

While you were there and I wasn't, it sounds like this guy might just have been uninformed, not "lying". For someone who doesnt understand the way doctors are trained (or the fact that many military doctors get training later as a civillian) it makes sense to tell people to turn down the GI bill. He might have had no idea that some of the people in the audience would later get more training.

 

[pgg]

This is just another one of the lies that the military tells docs. I remember at COT/OTS/whatever they called it that year, we were all sitting in an auditorium and some finance guy got up in front of us and told us all to waive/refuse/deny Montgomery GI bill because, "The military is already paying for your education, and you will never use it. You will lose $100 per paycheck for nothing."

Thanks a$$hole, you just turned the screw a couple more rotations.

I'm sure it is too late to sign up with 100 days left of duty.

Welcome to the thread. Back up and read post #3.

 

[73BARMYPgsp]

I had to waive the GI bill for my first active duty tour because I came in on the SLRP. THey told me the two (GI Bill and SLRP) were mutually exculsive. However, there was a period of Guard time I did in between my ETS and HPSP wherein I signed back into it. I now get HPSP and GI bill money. My GI bill will run out just about the time I finish my internship. THEN, when I finish my HPSP committiment I will re-up and make them put in SLRP for graduate school. (Unless they take that option away. Right now they pretty much do whatever critical skills people want--clinical psychology is hurting) Viola! My entire education (BS, MA, MS and PHD) will be paid for. No debt.

 

[usnavdoc]

I guess my question is:

Is residency considered an OJT (on the job training)? Anyone???

Its full time training NOT OJT.

 

[usnavdoc]

This is just another one of the lies that the military tells docs. I remember at COT/OTS/whatever they called it that year, we were all sitting in an auditorium and some finance guy got up in front of us and told us all to waive/refuse/deny Montgomery GI bill because, "The military is already paying for your education, and you will never use it. You will lose $100 per paycheck for nothing."

Thanks a$$hole, you just turned the screw a couple more rotations.

I'm sure it is too late to sign up with 100 days left of duty.

The problem is that at hospital and Marine commands the Navy uses Corpsmen to fill in for Personnel Specialists. Hence the usual bad info unless you talk to a PS.

The MGIB questions always get asked every few months. Someone should really merge these threads and turn them into stickys! I wrote a huge thread about two years ago about how to apply for and get your GIbill and how to correct the data if you missed out ater coming on AD.

 

[core0]

The problem is that at hospital and Marine commands the Navy uses Corpsmen to fill in for Personnel Specialists. Hence the usual bad info unless you talk to a PS.

The MGIB questions always get asked every few months. Someone should really merge these threads and turn them into stickys! I wrote a huge thread about two years ago about how to apply for and get your GIbill and how to correct the data if you missed out ater coming on AD.

Actually its even worse. There is an actual personnel specialty but they are few and far between. So how do you fill the gap? You put people from other specialties there. Now are you going to put someone that can do their job? Heck no. You put the biggest f*** up in the unit there. Then you get tasked to give up one of these stellar soldiers for Battallion. Do you send the best of the worst? Nope. You send the worst. Then Brigade tasks you for a soldier. Then Division tasks brigade and then Corp tasks Division.

What you get is 18th Airborne corps personnel shop in the late 1980's. Picture Night of the Living Dead with paperwork. I have been told by several reliable sources that this is the case pretty much throughout the ARMY. Not sure about other services.

David Carpenter, PA-C

 

[i want out]

Actually its even worse. There is an actual personnel specialty but they are few and far between. So how do you fill the gap? You put people from other specialties there. Now are you going to put someone that can do their job? Heck no. You put the biggest f*** up in the unit there. Then you get tasked to give up one of these stellar soldiers for Battallion. Do you send the best of the worst? Nope. You send the worst. Then Brigade tasks you for a soldier. Then Division tasks brigade and then Corp tasks Division.

What you get is 18th Airborne corps personnel shop in the late 1980's. Picture Night of the Living Dead with paperwork. I have been told by several reliable sources that this is the case pretty much throughout the ARMY. Not sure about other services.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Sounds pretty similar to what happens in the Navy.

I once was discussing this topic with a chaplain from the Australian Navy, and he shared a saying that they have in regards to this, as it seems it is not limited to the US military. "One does not throw a dead cat over the fence"

Apparently the world militaries are doing just that, heaving their dead cats (aka dead beats) over the fence for someone else to deal with.

i want out (of IRR)

 

[sethco]

I'm sure it is too late to sign up with 100 days left of duty.

Dude, as long as you are still on active duty, you can contribute to the GI Bill. Go to the finance office immediately, then you don't have to go through all the above.

 

[sethco]

Here's the eligibility info...

Who is Eligible?

You may be an eligible veteran if you have an Honorable Discharge, AND you have a High School Diploma or GED or in some cases 12 hours of college credit, AND you meet the requirements of one of the categories below:

CATEGORY I

Entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985
Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for first 12 months
Continuously served for 3 years, OR 2 years if that is what you first enlisted for, OR 2 years if you entered the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty and served 4 years ("2 by 4" Program)
CATEGORY II

Entered active duty before January 1, 1977
Served at least 1 day between 10/19/84 and 6/30/85, and stayed on active duty through 6/30/88, (or 6/30/87 if you entered the Selected Reserve within 1 year of leaving active duty and served 4 years)
On 12/31/89, you had entitlement left from Vietnam-Era GI Bill
CATEGORY III

Not eligible for MGIB under Category I or II
On active duty on 9/30/90 AND separated involuntarily after 2/2/91,
OR involuntarily separated on or after 11/30/93,
OR voluntarily separated under either the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) or Special Separation Benefit (SSB) program
Before separation, you had military pay reduced by $1200
CATEGORY IV

On active duty on 10/9/96 AND you had money remaining in a VEAP account on that date AND you elected MGIB by 10/9/97
OR entered full-time National Guard duty under title 32, USC, between 7/1/85, and 11/28/89 AND you elected MGIB during the period 10/9/96, through 7/8/97
Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for 12 months or made a $1200 lump-sum contribution

 

[Dermdoc1]

I was mortified last year when I found out that you could use the Gi Bill for fellowship. I always intended on doing a fellowship and if I had been properly counsled I would have taken the GI Bill. Instead like many of you I declined it because I was led to believe that because my formal classroom training was done it would be very unlikely that I would use the GI BILL.
I appealed to the Air Force Board for corrections of Military records in July to reverse my decision to decline the MGIB on the basis that I was miscounseled. I just found out that they approved it! Basically I filled out the form for correction of military records, and attached a memo discussing why I believe that i was miscounseled and attached affidavits from other docs attesting that they too were unaware that the MGIB could be used for fellowship. It took just about 6 months to get it reversed but it is worth it. I know it will feel great to have the extra $$ during fellowship!

 

[BomberDoc]

I spent part of the last week or so getting my election to decline the MGIB reversed based on being incorrectly counseled. It worked. Today I got an email from the education office on base that I need to submit a new DD 2366 and I can elect to participate in the MGIB. Of course I will also buy up with the $600 kicker.

I already checked and my residency program is on the list of institutions found on the VA website: http://inquiry.vba.va.gov/weamspub/buildSearchInstitutionCriteria.do

This should work out to $1251 per month. This should pay my mortgage and buy some beer each month. Thanks for all the info on this thread!

 

[DiveMD]

This should work out to $1251 per month. This should pay my mortgage and buy some beer each month. Thanks for all the info on this thread!

HAHAHA! That is exactly what I plan to do with mine. I will definitively enjoy those IPA’s and Sierra Nevada’s! Good luck to you.

 

[Mirror Form]

I spent part of the last week or so getting my election to decline the MGIB reversed based on being incorrectly counseled. It worked. Today I got an email from the education office on base that I need to submit a new DD 2366 and I can elect to participate in the MGIB. Of course I will also buy up with the $600 kicker.

I already checked and my residency program is on the list of institutions found on the VA website: http://inquiry.vba.va.gov/weamspub/buildSearchInstitutionCriteria.do

This should work out to $1251 per month. This should pay my mortgage and buy some beer each month. Thanks for all the info on this thread!

congrats! That'll be great during residency!

 

[BomberDoc]

This month's LES shows $100.00 deducted for MGIB. Looks like it worked. Now to elect the $600.00 "kicker" and boost that payment.

MGIB is a wonderful investment for those of us who will do a civ residency. 1,200 + 600 = $1,800 invested which results in a 1,251 monthly * 36 months = $45,036 return. Can't beat it with a stick.

It is totally worth the headache of appealing your earlier denial of MGIB for being "incorrectly counseled." It took a few weeks to get everything settled, but I can deal with some extra admin BS for a free $43,236.

 

[cavaor]

Im at the end of my internship and will be going to FS school next. At no point were have we gotten information about GIB (even that we arent eligible). Is it too late to start paying in at this point? Where should I start to try to get this started?

 

[orbitsurgMD]

Im at the end of my internship and will be going to FS school next. At no point were have we gotten information about GIB (even that we arent eligible). Is it too late to start paying in at this point? Where should I start to try to get this started?

Talk to your paymasters. They are the ones who can set you up for the deductible payments.

 

[BomberDoc]

If you haven't filed a DD 2366 to either enroll or deny MGIB, you can just go to finance and request to enroll. That part was rather painless.

Getting them to undo an earlier 2366 was a bit tougher. I engaged with the education office on base and they helped me out quite a bit with this. The guys at education told me to wait until the first 100.00 was taken from my pay before electing the kicker. For some reason if you try to do them both at the same time, it will cause a problem.

 

[YellowRose]

WOW, excellent thread. I am going on active duty this august (Navy), and am definitely paying for the GIB. my question is..... i would like to get an MBA while i'm AD, can i have them help with tuition before completing a full 3 years? any help is appreciated.

 

[fetch]

Don't feel like mushrooms; they don't tell us, either. Shoot, they don't even bother to try to get us to sign off under the pretense of "don't/won't need it"; they just don't bring it up at all. In fact, for three years I got nothing but blank stares and shoulder shrugs from FSH on whether or not we were even eligible.

Even if you vividly recall declining your MGIB, check to see if you have a DD Form 2366 or DD4 in your OMPF first before starting any petition/filing for miscounseling. If you don't have either on file, you never declined it; no paper trail record = never happen. You can go straight to filing a 2366 enrollment for MGIB.

I enrolled the day before I left AD, it can be cut that close. My understanding, though, is you have to have it paid in full and DD Form 1131 in hand before you leave AD. That means lump sum or expedited if you don't have the time remaining to do the standard 1x/month LES deduction for 12 months. I paid for MGIB + kicker at the same time/same day with no problems. For those of you close to your ETS just now enrolling and not lump summing right off the bat, I'd advise you to confirm/deny with your Finance what I was told by mine.

Do not lose your DD Form 1131; it is the only thing that proves you paid into the MGIB. It is even more precious than your DD214. Never forget; you're dealing with Finance when it comes to the MGIB...

YellowRose:
I vaguely recall there is a way to skim educational monies off the top of the MGIB for schooling while on active duty; the Enlisted use it routinely in order to get their AA/BS. I believe you have to have the MGIB paid for first (i.e., after 12 months). There is info on AKO regarding, somewhere; I just can't recall off the top of my head where anymore. Unfortunately (for you), I've dumped a lot of information out of the old hard drive over the last year and it included the details of this particular topic.

ETA: Found some information on in my MGIB packet. It's called the Tuition Assistance (TA) "Top Up" program. If you have MGIB and 24 months AD, you use military TA to pay 75% and MGIB to reimburse the 25% you paid out of pocket. You're limited to 36 months of Top-Up use. Use of it does affect (reduce) your MGIB entitlement based on a formula. All of this, of course, is ASSuming Officers are eligible for military TA...

 

[Galo]

Does anybody know if you can get it after you've left? Seems doubtful, and not even sure worth it, but it does not surprise me remembering back to that HOT Alabama summer sitting inside a room with the AC down to 30 below being told I was already trained and would likely not benefit from the GI bill.

 

[narcusprince]

does anyone know if u can use the gi bill while defered for residency?

 

[sethco]

does anyone know if u can use the gi bill while defered for residency?

Not unless you have already served at least 30 months on active duty. These requirements are different for active reservists and guard. So, if you are HPSP (without prior military experience) are you match for a civilian residency right out of med school, the quick answer is No. However, when you come on active duty, you should fund the GI bill regardless for fellowship training, pilot training, cooking school, business school, whatever. Such a low investment, with a great return (I think somewhere around a 2500% return!!!! )

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

Speaking of GI bill, here is a quick question someone should be able to answer. I was commissioned by the Wild Blue Zoo for my stint in the USAF; so, I know I couldn't use my GI bill after I got out to go to med school.

However, I have since been recommissioned into the USN via HPSP. Since I was honorably discharged from the USAF and subsequently comissioned into the Navy, am I now eligible for the GI bill? Any replies would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[schoeb93]

This is true (and you can find a list of approved programs on the GI bill website), it is very easy to get a residency "approved" for the GI bill, whether residency or fellowship. The only caveat is in order to start the benefits immediately when you start your training, you have to get the ball rolling at least 6 months in advance because a lot of paperwork has to transpire. FYI, I just got my residency program added to the approved list.

do you have any guidance to get a GME office to follow through on this process? I have three months left in the navy, then off to civilian fellowship. Thanks

 

[sethco]

do you have any guidance to get a GME office to follow through on this process? I have three months left in the navy, then off to civilian fellowship. Thanks

It is pretty simple, but very time consuming (on others parts with a lot of foot dragging) so you need to be persistent and start immediately.

First, go to the following link and check to see if you're program is approved:

http://inquiry.vba.va.gov/weamspub/buildSearchInstitutionCriteria.do

If is, then no further action is needed. You merely need to apply for the benefits, assuming you have already paid into the GI bill.

If you're specific fellowship is not there, but the program is on the list, then you should call the contact number and ask them to add your fellowship to the list of approved programs.

For example, let's say I wanted to get an Internal Medicine Residency approved at UPMC. I would do the program search and find it. Then, under "Institution Profile", they have a contact number that can get the ball rolling. In addition, the regional VA education benefits director needs to be contacted. They can give you the number to this.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

I had straight through civilian deferrment training and don't anticipate any fellowship training. However, I have heard that you can use the MGIB for pilot training and even for GME as a civilian. Has anyone ever actually used the GIB to pay for GME? I would like to know before I bother reversing my previous 2366.

 

[sethco]

I had straight through civilian deferrment training and don't anticipate any fellowship training. However, I have heard that you can use the MGIB for pilot training and even for GME as a civilian. Has anyone ever actually used the GIB to pay for GME? I would like to know before I bother reversing my previous 2366.

What do you mean by GME if you don't intend on going for fellowship? Do you mean CME?

You should absolutely reverse your 2366. You can use the GI Bill for MBA, MPH, PhD, further residency/fellowship training, cooking school, pilot training, the list goes on and on. By the time it is funded fully (1800 total investment if the kicker is paid), it will be worth 46,000. This does not figure the 3-4% increase that the stipend has been going up annually. In 2 years, by the time I am going to be ready to cash out my MGIB, I am looking at around 50,000+ for my 3 year residency. It seems that the only docs that are not eligible for the MGIB are people that went through accension through either ROTC or as an Academy grad (Unsure about USUHS though).

 

[The White Coat Investor]

What do you mean by GME if you don't intend on going for fellowship? Do you mean CME?

You should absolutely reverse your 2366. You can use the GI Bill for MBA, MPH, PhD, further residency/fellowship training, cooking school, pilot training, the list goes on and on. By the time it is funded fully (1800 total investment if the kicker is paid), it will be worth 46,000. This does not figure the 3-4% increase that the stipend has been going up annually. In 2 years, by the time I am going to be ready to cash out my MGIB, I am looking at around 50,000+ for my 3 year residency. It seems that the only docs that are not eligible for the MGIB are people that went through accension through either ROTC or as an Academy grad (Unsure about USUHS though).

Doh! Of course I meant CME. I don't see how it will be worth $46K unless I go and do a 3 year fellowship somewhere. Nonetheless, even if I use it for pilot training while on active duty it will be worth about $4816. And $4816-1200 is $3616 free. So looks like I probably ought to reverse it, but if I could use it for CME that would sweeten the deal a bit. Does anyone know if the kicker would be worth it for me (will it pay more than 60% of pilot training, or some higher percentage of CME?)

 

[sethco]

I also forgot to mention (and I am sure if this bill has been passed yet) but congress is trying to make an amendment to the GI bill where you can pass your benefits along to your dependents (i.e. College Education funding). This was talked about a month ago on a thread.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

I also forgot to mention (and I am sure if this bill has been passed yet) but congress is trying to make an amendment to the GI bill where you can pass your benefits along to your dependents (i.e. College Education funding). This was talked about a month ago on a thread.

Approved for Army only as I understand it.

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

Approved for Army only as I understand it.

Depends on which bill wins in conference comittee. The approved house bill contains no provision for passing GI bill to dependents. Both of the competing senate bills contain provisions for passing benefits to family after ~6 years service and they also open GI bill to service academy grads. Not sure when a vote will occur on the senate bills.

 

[polly]

Does anyone know how the proposed new GI Bill will change the stipend for docs in fellowship? i start my fellowship next year, i will be receiving the $1300 a month, having paid in the initial $1200 and the $600 buy-up. Thanks!

 

[sethco]

Does anyone know how the proposed new GI Bill will change the stipend for docs in fellowship? i start my fellowship next year, i will be receiving the $1300 a month, having paid in the initial $1200 and the $600 buy-up. Thanks!

The 2 competing bills are still on the hill. Webb's bill (the better one) cleared through the Senate with an overwhelming majority. Even Republicans were backing this. This bill's goal is to cover the educational cost of the average PRIVATE school education. The competing one that McCain is backing is not nearly as good as the bill would revise the GI Bill benefits based on how long you stay in the military (basically the longer you stay in, the more you get). The reason this exists in the first place is because it has been postulated that Webb's version of the revision would drop retention rates by about 16%. Unfortuanetly, they are ignoring that that same study also said it would increase recruiting by about 16% (Maybe even more than this).

Anyway, if you care about your GI Bill benefits, call your local Representative and tell him to back Webb's bill. The difference between the two is very significant.

 

[deuist]

I wonder where the Montgomery G.I. bill can be applied. For example, several state schools have online MBA programs. Traditionally, attending these universities in person comes at a low tuition cost. But when going through the Internet, tuition is easily tripled. Will the Montgomery G.I. Bill pay for me to earn an online at a higher rate?

 

[sethco]

I wonder where the Montgomery G.I. bill can be applied. For example, several state schools have online MBA programs. Traditionally, attending these universities in person comes at a low tuition cost. But when going through the Internet, tuition is easily tripled. Will the Montgomery G.I. Bill pay for me to earn an online at a higher rate?

Benefits are applied equally whether it be an online education or if you are attending. However, some online programs will consider you a part-time student, which will affect your monthly stipend. Here is the pay chart for the current year.

http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates/CH30/ch30rates100107.htm

However, keep in mind that this will most likely change depending on what bill gets passed. At least everybody on the hill realizes that the educational benefits that are given to veterans are not matching the rising educational costs. One way or another, one of the bills will be passed.