New GI Bill The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008

(Effective 1 Aug 2009)

Benefits

·     Full tuition up to highest charges in a public institution of higher education for a full-time under graduate in the State of the school attended plus fees

·     Up to 36 months of full-time equivalent education

·     Monthly housing stipend equal to BAH for an E-5 with dependents based on zip code of the school enrolled

·     Book and supply stipend up to $1,000/year

·     Time to use - 15 years after separation from active duty

·     Transferability of benefits to dependents

o   Some transferability based on re-up options and length of service

·     WWs already enrolled under MGIB may transfer to new program if above eligibility criteria are met

Preparation

·     VA Aptitude Testing while at Walter Reed

o    WW’s should be aptitude tested while at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval by the VA person at Walter Reed.  WW’s can make an appointment to be tested on Fridays and Saturday mornings by making an appointment with Jeannie Lehowicz PH: 703-733-0553 in Rm 2-24 of the MATC or new Amputee Center of the third floor of the main hospital at Walter Reed.  The WW needs to make a decision early while at Walter Reed as to the profession or technical degree he/she wishes to follow and the degree to be achieved three to five years in the future. This aptitude test required by the VA is the beginning of that decision process.

·     Tuition Assistance Program while at Walter Reed or Bethesda Naval.

o    Under the Tuition Assistance (TA) program at Walter Reed and Bethesda, each WW is authorized $4,500 per fiscal year to take online courses, courses at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval offered through the Education Center at Walter Reed (Rm 3-14, Delano Hall, Contact Amy Moorash at 202-762-7144 and Mrs.Elizibeth Baker at the Navy College at Bethesda Naval, Bldg 3, 4^th Floor PH:  301-295-6423). WW’s are also encouraged to take courses leading to the degree they desire to achieve under the New GI Bill once discharged.  Under the TA program WW’s are also encouraged to take transferable courses while at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval at nearby colleges (e.g., Univ of MD, Catholic U and Montgomery College). These three colleges have offices in the Education Center at Walter Reed.

o    For the Tuition Assistance Program, the WW must go to Education Center (Delano Hall, Bldg 11, Rm 3-14, contact Mrs. Amy Moorash, Director Naval  PH:  301-295-5423) to fill out application and get their commanders approval to ensure reimbursement. They will not get reimbursement unless the courses are approved by these parties.

o    In preparation for their college or university studies following discharge, WW’s should consider taking prep courses for college or graduate school acceptance.  This includes the ACT or SAT for undergraduate programs, the GRE for graduate school, the LSAT for law school and the MEDCAP for medical school.

o    For the MGI Bill, the Top Up Program can be used to reimburse WW’s for tuition costs above those authorized for a course under the TA Program.

·     Wounded Warrior Education Counselors Available

o    The Wounded Warrior Mentor Program at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval have the following education counselors available to assist WW’s and mentors on all short term educational programs while at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval and to assist in planning long term college and technical professional degrees for when the WW’s are discharged and go home:

o    Priscilla Hardiman by appointment Mondays 9:30-1:00 PM in Rm 3-11, Delano Hall of the Education Center at Walter Reed.  Call her at 703-535-1248 during the week for a Monday appointment or call her directly on Mondays during office hours at 202-356-1012 Ext 20425. Her email is This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

o    Heather Bernard, American College for Education, PH: 202-398-8454, Cell:  202-550-8529.  Her email is This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

More detailed information

·     http://www.gibill.va.gov/

                                                                                                                                05/04/09