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Personally, I've used the post-911 (haven't used the old one) and it was pretty easy based on the fact that the VA paid the school directly and I didn't have to deal with anything more than filling out the standard financial aid form each time I registered for a new semester.
The old GI bill just paid a sum to you, and you would then have to go through the process a normal human goes through with paying the cashier and all that. Not terribly more difficult or anything, but it's easier to accidentally spend money in the bank than it is for the VA to forget to pay your tuition for you.
The Post-911 also gives you a monthly housing allowance that is equal to an E-5 with 1 dependent, and based on the zip code of your school, and also based on your benefit eligibility level and how many credit hours you are taking for that particular semester. So, for me, at 100 percent eligibility, and taking 12 credit hours, I got about 1,100 dollars a month for housing in addition to a books and supplies stipend paid out for the semester, in addition to the full tuition paid.
The Monty GI bill basically just gives you a lump sum of all this and says "do what you gotta do". While this may seem attractive to some, it's important to remember that it adds more personal responsibility to the equation, and for some, it might just be easier to let the VA sort this stuff out and know that what you get in your bank account is not going to cut into your tuition payments.
With all this in mind, I obviously support the Post-911, because I've used it and gotten a degree with it. I'm sure anyone could do the same with the Monty, but I didn't have to use any brainpower with the Post-911. And I liked the fact that I wasn't tempted to use tuition money for other expenses, which I probably would have done unknowingly with all the money in one bank account.
My husband is using the Post 9/11 GI Bill. It was the one that his school recommended, as well as the one that counselors at the Marine Corps base recommended before he got out.
So far, so good! I'm sure both are fine, but it just depends on your personal needs. For us, the Post 9/11 is simple- as others have said, they pay tuition to your school and we just get the BAH.
In general, the Post 9/11 GI bill has a much greater potential monetary value. Of course, there are situations which are exceptions too, so definately be careful choosing based on your own current and future training plans and goals.
I forgot to add the very obvious pro to the post-911...
Infinite certification reimbursements. (obviously this is relative to whether you have benefits left or not)
For life? Because many in the teaching field and medical field must get annual recertifications and tests that cost a few hundred dollars. It covers that?
For life? Because many in the teaching field and medical field must get annual recertifications and tests that cost a few hundred dollars. It covers that?
Not for life. You have a maximum time of being eligible to use your benefits. I think this is 15 years if I'm not mistaken. In that 15 year window, you can utilize your benefits any time you want, however you're limited by I think 36 months of actual benefits that get paid, assuming your eligibility level is 100%. So let's say you start going to school... you can do 36 months worth of semesters in any order at any time for those 15 years. Once you use up 36 months, you have none left.
For certifications, I'm not sure how it works out in the spectrum of the 36 month's of benefits, but at the very least, you should be able to get reimbursed within the 15 year window of eligibility. They reimburse for the cost of the test, up to 2,000 dollars, and you can take them multiple times, and they will reimburse for failed tests.
It may be worth it to contact a VA rep and ask how it plays into the amount of benefits you're eligible for.
Edit:
Also, the tests have to be approved certs. The VA has a list of them, I believe. But they're all going to be your standard recognized certs in all industries.
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