VA Approved Course Info

[BKK]

If anyone is conducting, has been to a course, or knows of a course that has been VA Approved for using your VA Education Benifits, please list those courses here.

I am sure I am not the only one out there that needs to burn some GI Bill money before the 10 year window closes.

[CV]

Firstly, check this link out: http://www.gibill.va.gov/

You will find all sorts of information- some of which makes no sense, thus you will want to contact the VA and speak to a representative over the phone: 1-888-GI BILL-1

Second, make sure the school or organization you want to take the coursework with has a VA Certifying Official. This is very important because you need monthly verification to receive your stipend and to ensure your classes are getting paid for.

Other than that, most coursework is covered by the VA as long as it is professional development, a benefit you have earned. They could careless if you want to be a professional basket-weaver.

Use those benefits; there are some crazy statistics out there of how many people let those 10-years elapse. There are also many here on SOCNET who fall into that category and could likely impress upon you the value of the program.

[BKK]

Also, Anyone who wants to use their GI Bill for some FAA Flight training. PM me and I will steer you towards some of the better VA Approved places that I know others have dealt with.

[yojinbukai]

Just a side note...

I took advantage of my GI Bill at the PD. Anything "new" is usually covered as voc-rehab. The VA considers your OJT as vocational rehab for you, and will pay you a stipend while you're doing the training.

[s1chmoe]

looks like the gi bill may be extended to 15 yrs

[BKK]

Got a link or a reference to that?

[s1chmoe]

i will try to find it, might be this evening, i was a little unclear, but it said that there would be enhanced benefits for post 9/11 veterans, and that the gi bill would extend to 15 yrs if the extension passed, but i think the extension was for all veterans, and the extra benefits were onlly for post 9/11 veterans, i guess this includes all the pencil pushers too from that group, but forgets about the other veterans who have a combat action ribbon from other wars...give me a little and i will dig it up.

[s1chmoe]

http://education.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/first-step-in-gi-bill-reform?ESRC=education.nl

at the very bottom, it talks about the enhanced benefits for post 911 veterans, then in a seperate sentence says "veterans would have 15 yrs to use gi bill benefits, not sure if the last sentence applies to all of us or not...

[BKK]

Cool. Hopefully it will change.

[RazorSix]

Gents,

I left (EAS) the Marines in 2000, enrolled in a 4 year program at a Canadian University and completed my degree in 2003. I had the money already saved for school so I decided to not claim my GI Bill benefits at that time. I thought that I would 'save' them for post graduate education. However, instead I ended up going into contracting, got married and had a child, ect. (Life just kind of took over).

Close to a year ago - I made the decision to gradually withdraw from contracting and I applied to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The short story is that I am soon-to-be hired and will start training shortly.

I contacted the VA today about Vocational Rehab & OJT benefits. I was told by the VA rep that in order to qualifiy for a Voc-Rehab & OJT in a foreign institution it must lead to a four year degree. This is not the case (as previous members have stated above) in the US. It is a foreign requirement only. In hindsight, I wish that I had claimed the benefit while I attend University...

I asked the VA rep if there was any challenge/wavier mechanism for my situation and her reply was 'no'.

I have two purposes for this post.

1. To let members know (who may be in a similar situation) that they should not count on Voc-Rehab & OJT benefits w/ a foreign training institution.

2. To ask for any guidance from the membership of this board, (ie) - Have you ever heard/know of a sucessful challenge to Foreign Voc-Rehab & OJT and/or does anyone have any advice on how to go about challenging this,...or am I just SOL?

Thanks in advance for any insight. Much appreciated.

Jason

[ccorgr175]

Thought:

Is there no University in Canada that will sanction RCMP training towards a degree there???

Just a thought. Many Universities here in the U.S. will do so for certain LE type training...maybe this could be an angle. I don't see why not.


2%

[RazorSix]

ccorgr175,

Good thought and it is an option that I am exploring. However, I already have a B.A., so applying for another 4 year undergrad...I'm not sure it is possible.

I have a meeting this week w/ the Administration of my former University to try and work out a solution.

Thanks for your post.


Jason

[CV]

VocRehab DOES allow you to use the benefits for IT Certifications. Just an FYI.

The VA looks at what will make you marketable when done with school. In this day and age, IT certifications in many circumstances will meet or exceed that of a collegiate degree. I however recommend doing both.

[Finger]

I don't know if it helps, but when our police academy in NC went to 16 weeks in the 90's and allowed some of the courses in the academy curriculum count towards a CJ degree, the VA started allowing qualified students to use VA benefits. I'm sure other state academies do the same thing.