Commence the College Years

911GIBill Certificate of Eligibility

May 21st, 2009

May 1, 2009 was the first day you could submit your application via the VONAPP web site for the Post-911 GI Bill (911GIBill). It was on that day I filled out the remarkably easy to follow form, and submitted my request. Then I waited.

Today I received my answer via snail mail. It states, “This certifies that you are entitled to benefits for an approved program of education or training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill beginning August 1, 2009.”

Well, I’ll be danged. I never thought this day would come. As I discussed before, I joined under the VEAP program which I opted out of. I did not think an opportunity for college benefits after retirement from the Navy would ever present itself.

My Certificate of Eligibility continues, “You must take this letter to your school. Your school must certify your enrollment before you can get paid.”

No problem!

“You have 36 months and 0 days of full time benefits. Your remaining entitlement may be adjusted based on your entitlement used after your election date. You have until January 1, 2022 to use your benefits under this program which is fifteen years from the date of your last separation from active duty.”

If it takes me until 2022 to finish… well, procrastination can kill a sky diver – I am pulling my ripcord on this long before I hit the ground

The Yellow Ribbon Program

Because you are eligible at the 100% benefit rate, you may also be eligible to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program allows schools to enter into an agreement with the VA to provide additional financial assistance to individuals who are charged tuition and fees that exceed the in-State maximum amount payable under the Post-9/11 GI Bill program. This benefit is only payable if the Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition and fee payment does not cover the full cost of your school’s tuition and fees.

Note: Individuals on active duty are not eligible for this program.

The letter goes on but those were the highlights.

I planned on blogging about my adventure the 911GIBill affords me via another domain 911gibill.com but then came to my senses, two blogs can be a pain in the butt – I will stick with one blog portal, Navy Cyberspace.

Next step? I will be going to the University on Memphis next week to acquaint myself with the surroundings and see what sport I want to tryout for, I hear Memphis may need a quarterback

Read Comments (1)