VA to Take Back GI Bill Payouts to Active Duty Military

After students complained that delays in approving Post 9/11 GI Bill claims were causing financial hardships, the VA sent out emergency payments between October and December of 2009.  This saved many from having to drop out of school or pay their tuition fees out of their own pockets.

The recent payout has raised concerns among congress members because two steps in certifying eligibility may have been overlooked and could lead to fraud. 

Also, active duty service members who were eligible for post 9/11 GI Bill benefits were not suppose to get advanced payments, but received them anyway. The stipends are to assist student Veterans with living expenses when they are carrying 50% or more of a school course load. The VA did not indicate that active-duty members did not qualify for advance payments until December. The exact number of active-duty members who need to pay back the advance is unknown. 

The advanced payments were discontinued in the fall and the VA states that it does not have any plans at this time to provide them for the spring term. 

Source: Army Times 

The National Veterans Foundation assists Veterans and active duty service members in accessing their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.   For assistance in applying for VA benefits, call the Lifeline for Vets™ at 888-777-4443.   Visit the NVF’s website at www.nvf.org. To support the National Veterans Foundation, please visit www.help-veterans.org.