How Soldier Scholars Get Assistance

Monday, March 1, 2010

(NAPSA)—Good news for many of America’s Veterans, Servicemembers and their families: The new GIBill is the most extensive education benefit package presently offered. It has the potential to pay for an entirecollege education,including housing, books and supplies for an eligible student. The many great features of this program also make it far more complexto process than other vet eran education benefit programs. The VA has provided a few facts and tips that can help eligible GI Bill participants expedite the processingoftheir claim: Tips For Getting Your Benefits * Before applying for education benefits investigate your options, where you want to go to school, and look at what benefits you qualify for and how much you are entitled to undereach. * Get your school to submit enrollment certifications—VA Form 22-1999. The school does not. needto wait for your Certificate of Eligibility to submit Enrollment Certifications. * To qualify for the housing benefit, you mustbeenrolled in at least one on-campus class and be registered for at least 51 percent offull-timecredit hours. * Be sure to inform VAif you change your direct deposit information. * Remember that housing stipends are paid “in arrears” from thefirst day you attend classes. This means that your housing stipend for this month’s attendance won't bereceived until next month. * Get to know your VA School Certifying Official (check with the Financial Aid Department or Registrar). He or shecertifies your Veterans and their families can get help paying for college. actual enrollment(that’s what triggers your payments). Some schocls wait until the drop/add period is over to certify enrollment. so check out the policy for your school. Be awarethat tuition and fee payments godirectly to the school. The more you understand about your >enefits and the process, the more you can move your claim along. Further Financial Help If your personalfinancial situation makesit difficult for you to cover your living expenses, you maywantto apply for either federal or private loans. Many of these loans are available interest-free until graduation. You can also check with your school for any scholarships or grants that are available or visit www.studentaid.ed.gov. Learn More If you have any question, you can visit the GI Bill Web site at www.gibill.va.gov and use the “ask A Question/Get An Answer” feature.

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