A Congressional Research Service report estimates that by 2022, more than 600,000 service members will take advantage of educational benefits, totaling about $10 billion in tuition and fees, housing, books and other aid.
That allocation means individual student service members can tap into significant educational benefits.
For example, if you served 36 months on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may receive enough financial aid to cover all of your state tuition and fees at a public college or university.
If your education costs exceed what tuition covers through your industry, you may be able to get more financial aid through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Supplemental Tuition Assistance Program.
In a nutshell, the VA top-up program pays the difference between your total education costs and tuition assistance for up to 36 months. But there are some differences between how Tuition Assistance, the GI Bill, and the VA Supplemental Benefit work together.
In some cases, service representatives may not receive full educational coverage. Combined DOD and additional program payments can never be more than the total cost of your courses — and the extra coverage comes at a price.
Using top-up reduces the benefits of your GI bill
To qualify for the top-up program, you must already be taking advantage of Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) or GI Bill after 9/11. Which GI Bill you use will determine how the program affects your benefits.
VA Recharge Program with the Montgomery GI Bill
When you use the Montgomery GI Bill, the top-up program pays the difference in course fees and the amount covered by the Montgomery GI Bill.
Your total GI Bill education benefit is reduced by one month for each additional payment you receive.
VA Top-Up Program with the Post 9-11 GI Bill
If you use the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the top-up program will pay the difference between the GI Bill payment and the approved maximum amount for tuition and fees.
The top-up program pays one lump sum to the service member applying for benefits, not the school.
Full-time school or education rates reduce your GI Bill benefit by a full month, while half-time rates reduce your GI Bill benefit by half a month for each month you are enrolled.
Remark:
How does the VA calculate the benefits of the GI Bill after 9/11?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers the total cost of your tuition and fees, but only up to certain limits.
For example, the post 9/11 GI Bill benefits cover the total cost of state tuition at public colleges, but only up to $26,043 per year at a private school.
Using both the GI Bill and the top-up program for the same courses may limit the length of your benefit.
Often it is best to use them separately to maximize your benefit financing.
To fully understand how the Top-Up Program affects your GI Bill benefits, make an appointment with your education officer and use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to explore your options.
How to apply for the top-up program
Your application process may differ slightly, but in most cases you will learn how to apply.
If you have not already done so, apply for tuition assistance from your branch of service. Make sure your school and program are approved to receive VA benefits. Formally apply for VA benefits by completing VA Form 22-1990. Authorized DoD officers must sign tuition approval forms. Some service locations require the signature of the Commanding Officer and others require the signature of the Education Service Officer. Send your tuition assistance approval form and application for VA education benefits to the VA regional processing office handling your claim. You will find the address on Form A 22-1990. Contact your school’s certifying officer (SCO). A SCO is an on-campus representative who will assist you by submitting an enrollment certificate to the Department of Veterans Affairs for VA education benefits.
Eligibility for additional tuition assistance
You may not be eligible for VA benefits such as the replenishment program if you have received bad conduct other than honorable or dishonorable discharge. To try and qualify for benefits such as the upgrade program, you can request a layoff upgrade to reinstate your benefits.
This post VA Supplement Benefits Can Extend Tuition Assistance
was original published at “https://themilitarywallet.com/va-top-up/”
