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Today I read an article that listed all of the changes that will take effect on August 1 and I am not happy with them.
Starting this August, the housing allowance will be prorated if you are taking less than a full load of classes. As of right now if you are taking more than half, you receive the full housing allowance.
Also, the housing allowance money will not be given out between school breaks such as Christmas, Easter, summer, etc.
I guess the only good change is the fact that the Post 9/11 GI Bill can now be used for vocational training, OJT, flight training, and a few other programs.
I still don't understand why they still discriminate against distance learners with the housing stipend. The new changes include a provision for distance learners only to get 50% of the stipend. It's better than nothing but they shouldn't be treated differently.
I still don't understand why they still discriminate against distance learners with the housing stipend. The new changes include a provision for distance learners only to get 50% of the stipend. It's better than nothing but they shouldn't be treated differently.
I think the housing stipend is fine as it is. The reason that a distance learning student doesn't get extra housing $$ is that he can go to school from home. The housing stipend is supposed to be used to pay for housing. I realize that those people still have to pay rent... but, the assumption is that the distance learning student is already home, and his housing situation will not change just because he starts school. A full-time student who moves to go to school will have to pay for his housing, and will have to start paying those housing costs when he starts school.
I think the additional housing stipend is an awesome benefit for those who are eligible. For those who choose to stay home, at least their tuition is payed for.
I think its a very odd assumption on the part of whoever created that policy that someone using this money to pay for distance classes is living at home rent-free after serving in the armed forces. I'm picturing say, my husband retiring and finishing up his bachelor's degree. Often, a lot of local schools offer distance options for certain courses and its hard to understand the difference between him taking four or five distance core/general classes one term and then switching to on-campus for the next term for the major-specific ones and getting more housing money that term. Its not like he's going to go live in the dorms on campus and require extra housing money.
I just don't understand the rationale - anyone understand it better and can explain?
Or am I misunderstanding who this housing stipend is for?
What I've been told through our VA coordinator is that there is a higher percentage of graduates through the VA bill when they attend class versuses online. It's basically a way of encouraging completing school in the eyes of the government.
My dh & I take classes as a way to bring in extra income. We've never switched to 9/11 b/c we can't guarantee we could always make it to campus. Once you take 9/11 benefits, you cannot retrograde back to traditional MGIB benefits.
A complete perk of 9/11 is that is does pay such a higher amount, especially if you attend a private school. And covers books.
One has to to truly write down the expenses line by line to see what would be best. We just go to a local community college @$92/hr, so it is all awash. But my dh is starting his MBA program in the fall & has to switch to 9/11 as traditional MGIB doesn't cover enough.
To answer your question, Lisdol, 9/11 is designed for those who leave the military & plan to attend a 4yr university & are taking enough of a class load (they view that as 7+ hrs) that they could not get a high enough paying job to cover down on rent. The government never gives anything away for free, so they must see it as profit.
Our VA coordinator doesn't get 9/11 & says it has caused quite a bit of confusion.
FYI....9/11 has always required that the student be taking at least 1/2 to get BAH & one class has to be on campus; not sure what is new about that info.
I think its a very odd assumption on the part of whoever created that policy that someone using this money to pay for distance classes is living at home rent-free after serving in the armed forces. I'm picturing say, my husband retiring and finishing up his bachelor's degree. Often, a lot of local schools offer distance options for certain courses and its hard to understand the difference between him taking four or five distance core/general classes one term and then switching to on-campus for the next term for the major-specific ones and getting more housing money that term. Its not like he's going to go live in the dorms on campus and require extra housing money.
I just don't understand the rationale - anyone understand it better and can explain?
Or am I misunderstanding who this housing stipend is for?
Again, I think the housing stipend is intended for people who intentionally relocate to attend college. You obviously don't have to move to take distance learning classes. If it is a matter of money then the student should just take the classes on campus. The Mont GI Bill never payed a housing stipend, so all the negative feedback should be put in perspective.
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