Army Education Benefits

Q: It’s my understanding that some adjustments to the old MyCAA program will be happening soon. What exactly is changing? How do spouses get the maximum benefit?

Q: My husband is currently in Afghanistan. I plan on going back to school. He's only been in the Army a little over a year. We are done paying into the GI Bill. We thought that I could use his benefits because he already has a degree. Now I am being told that he has to fill out the information. No one is really helping me to find the answers and he can't be reached. Can you tell me what I can use and how? Thank you.

Q: My home of record is Pennsylvania, but I am looking at going to school in Florida and living there, but not until school starts. Does this wind up counting as out-of-state tuition, and will the GI Bill cover it?

A: It more than likely will count as out-state tuition, unless Florida as a reciprocity agreement with Pennsylvania which is doubtful. Most reciprocity agreements are between bordering states.

Q: I enlisted September 1999 with a $40,000 contract for 4 years of active duty service. Through out my seven years of active duty I reenlisted twice before my ETS dates. I was honorably discharged in 2007.

Today the Veterans Affairs Office informed me that the DOD Education Incentives Department, who regulates payment, set my benefit at $583.70 a month. Divided by 36 months is $21,012.20. This is $18,986 less than the $40,000 contract I signed.

Q: I am active duty military and I'm wondering if I can transfer my GI Bill benefits to my wife?

A: Yes, no and maybe. Let me explain.

It really depends on which GI Bill you have. Generally speaking, the Montgomery GI Bill does not have a transfer option, so if that is the GI Bill you have, then no, you can't transfer your education benefits to her.

Q: I am trying to use the Hazelwood Act benefits for college. My discharge paperwork says "uncharacterized" as the discharge status, but I was honorably discharged. No one seems to know what "uncharacterized means." Will this keep me from being eligible for benefits, and if so, how can I change it? Thanks!

A: An uncharacterized discharge, also called an entry-level discharge, usually means you served less than 180 days before you were discharged.  It neither means your service was good or bad. 

Q: I'm planning on attending school at a Japanese university. Will I be able to use my GI Bill there?

A: You might - it all depends on if the university you plan on attending in Japan has been VA-approved to accept the GI Bill or not. Right now, these are the Japanese schools that are approved:

Q: I enlisted in 2006 and took the student loan repayment program/option. By summer 2009, the last payment was made to my account. If I go green-to-gold non-scholarship option for Fall 2010, can I use the new GI Bill to help pay for school?

A: Yes you can. Plus you can get paid a $350 per month stipend for up to 10 months a year. On top of that, you get paid to attend the ROTC Advanced Camp between your junior and senior years of college.