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Post-9/11 GI Bill Question

I've used my GI Bill before, but it was the older version (Montgomery).  I've transferred it to the Post-9/11 GI Bill to use in the future, so I was researching the monthly housing allowance and this is what the website says:

If you are attending school at the 1/2 time or less rate or are on active duty or the spouse of an active duty member you will not receive any MHA.

I'm interpreting this to mean that as long as my husband is on active duty, I won't be able to collect housing allowance.  This seems pretty clear-cut, but it's kind of a bummer if its correct. Am I understanding this correctly?  Has this been your experience if you are using your GI Bill while married to someone on active duty (not transferred from your spouse to you)?

Re: Post-9/11 GI Bill Question

  • You're better at research than me because I start using mine in a week and this is the first I heard this. If it's true it's a big bummer. Man that'll blow, none of my advisors at my school mentioned this either, nor did the VA. 
  • imageKiller Cupcake:
    Your interpretation is correct. As long as you are collecting a BAH already, they won't give you the BAH in addition to the tuition stipend. 

    Thanks for confirming this.  While I understand the reasoning behind it, it's disappointing.  I'll likely postpone using my GI Bill until my tuition costs rise (I'm taking classes at a community college now) because most of the financial benefit lies in the housing allowance. 

  • imageDeblondie1:
    You're better at research than me because I start using mine in a week and this is the first I heard this. If it's true it's a big bummer. Man that'll blow, none of my advisors at my school mentioned this either, nor did the VA. 

    I hadn't heard it before, either, but I happened to come across that statement when I was looking up the housing allowance rates. 

    Here's a link in case you would like to read more about it: https://gibill.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1438/kw/1438

  • Thanks. If I had known this while enrolling, I wouldn't be taking the course load I am. 
  • imageKiller Cupcake:
    imageJustLes:

    imageKiller Cupcake:
    Your interpretation is correct. As long as you are collecting a BAH already, they won't give you the BAH in addition to the tuition stipend. 

    Thanks for confirming this.  While I understand the reasoning behind it, it's disappointing.  I'll likely postpone using my GI Bill until my tuition costs rise (I'm taking classes at a community college now) because most of the financial benefit lies in the housing allowance. 

    I understand the disappointment, but I think as long as CC isn't draining your GI bill completely, free money is always the way to go!  

    True.  It will probably be more cost-effective for me to use it later, though.  I'm going back to school for a degree in nursing, so I plan on getting my ADN, BSN, and eventually specializing with a master's degree.  Those subsequent degrees will have higher tuition rates than the associate degree, so it makes more sense for me to use my GI Bill at that point.

  • I just asked a couple friends of mine who are using their Post GI Bill and are married to AD AF. All three of them are receiving their BAH and stipend, no problems. So... Hmmm... 
  • imageDeblondie1:
    Thanks. If I had known this while enrolling, I wouldn't be taking the course load I am. 

    That's too bad.  Maybe you'll end up getting the housing allowance if the VA doesn't bother checking your spouse's military status.  Would you mind letting me know what happens?  I'm interested in knowing whether or not they actually verify that (I'm not planning on trying to cheat the system; I'm just curious).

  • imageDeblondie1:
    I just asked a couple friends of mine who are using their Post GI Bill and are married to AD AF. All three of them are receiving their BAH and stipend, no problems. So... Hmmm... 

    Interesting.  I just posted that I was wondering if the VA actually checks to see whether one's spouse is on active duty.  Apparently they don't...?

  • imageKiller Cupcake:

    Very true. Can you use MyCAA?  

    I believe so.  If/when I'm accepted into a nursing program, I'm going to apply for it and see if I qualify (from what I've read, I should).

  • imageKiller Cupcake:

    imageDeblondie1:
    I just asked a couple friends of mine who are using their Post GI Bill and are married to AD AF. All three of them are receiving their BAH and stipend, no problems. So... Hmmm... 

    They should look into that...

    monthly housing allowance (MHA) based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school. For those enrolled solely in distance learning the housing allowance payable is equal to ? the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents ($673.50 for the 2011 academic year & $684.00 for the 2012 academic year). For those attending foreign schools (schools without a main campus in the U.S.) the BAH rate is fixed at $1,347.00 for the 2011 academic year & $1,368.00 for the 2012 academic year. The academic year begins on August 1. (Active duty students & their spouses cannot receive the MHA).  

    I had to provide MH's military info to my school so it may get caught in the system. But I know two of them actually attend classes on base so I'm not sure what's going on. The literature makes it seem pretty clear cut but I'm confused.  

  • imageDeblondie1:
    imageKiller Cupcake:

    imageDeblondie1:
    I just asked a couple friends of mine who are using their Post GI Bill and are married to AD AF. All three of them are receiving their BAH and stipend, no problems. So... Hmmm... 

    They should look into that...

    monthly housing allowance (MHA) based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school. For those enrolled solely in distance learning the housing allowance payable is equal to ? the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents ($673.50 for the 2011 academic year & $684.00 for the 2012 academic year). For those attending foreign schools (schools without a main campus in the U.S.) the BAH rate is fixed at $1,347.00 for the 2011 academic year & $1,368.00 for the 2012 academic year. The academic year begins on August 1. (Active duty students & their spouses cannot receive the MHA).  

    I had to provide MH's military info to my school so it may get caught in the system. But I know two of them actually attend classes on base so I'm not sure what's going on. The literature makes it seem pretty clear cut but I'm confused.  

    I don't understand it either.  I know people that have also received the housing allowance from the GI Bill while married to an active-duty service member, but it seems like that shouldn't be happening.  It's strange that the VA would make a point to state that those individuals shouldn't receive an allowance, but then those rules aren't necessarily enforced.  It would be helpful to know what is actually paid out so we can plan accordingly.

  • imageKiller Cupcake:
    imageJustLes:
    imageKiller Cupcake:

    Very true. Can you use MyCAA?  

    I believe so.  If/when I'm accepted into a nursing program, I'm going to apply for it and see if I qualify (from what I've read, I should).

    Definitely do it. It's so easy to get and it is literally free money (as long as you pass. lol).  

    Haha.  Thanks.  I will definitely apply. :)

  • I am using the Post 9/11 GI Bill and my husband is on active duty. I am receiving the monthly housing allowance. 

    The way I'm reading the last sentence from the info KC posted, if you're on active duty using the GI Bill, no you cannot collect it. If your spouse is on active duty and you are using his/her GI Bill, again, you can't collect it.  

  • image*Krista*:

    I am using the Post 9/11 GI Bill and my husband is on active duty. I am receiving the monthly housing allowance. 

    The way I'm reading the last sentence from the info KC posted, if you're on active duty using the GI Bill, no you cannot collect it. If your spouse is on active duty and you are using his/her GI Bill, again, you can't collect it.  

    Hmm... That's an interesting interpretation and does make sense. I haven't heard of any spouses, thus far, not getting full benefits from their own GI Bill.  

  • image*Krista*:

    I am using the Post 9/11 GI Bill and my husband is on active duty. I am receiving the monthly housing allowance. 

    The way I'm reading the last sentence from the info KC posted, if you're on active duty using the GI Bill, no you cannot collect it. If your spouse is on active duty and you are using his/her GI Bill, again, you can't collect it.  

    That probably is the correct interpretation, although I wish the VA were more clear about the bolded part.

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