Out-processing from the military can be a hectic time for any service member. Getting all your ducks in a row is time consuming. The overload of information presented, usually in numerous death-by-Power-Point lectures, is less than memorable. A good portion of service members will be heading straight into the next phase of life after the military—college. As you know, lectures and textbooks cannot tell you how school is actually going to be once you get there. You really have to experience it for yourself. But here are some tools to help you with experiencing college, and in addition some information to help you start using your education benefits wisely.
First, lets discuss surviving on a college campus. Relatively simple, right? Well, that is not entirely true. You can be an outstanding student and still struggle with the little things. What do I mean? This is something I like the call the “Billy Madison Effect.” Years ago, when I got out of the military, I came across this meme:
Although giving me the satisfaction of a quick laugh, this one meme says so much more than what meets the eye. Not only are you going to college a little older than most of your peers, and maybe even some of your professors, but you may even have more “real-life” experience. For you this might mean channeling immense self-control.
College is supposed to be the place where you develop your worldview, challenge your foundations, discovering what you believe and why. One day you may even take a life-changing class with a professor that makes a lasting impression. So please, be patient with uninformed fresh-out-of-high-school 18 year olds. You have years of experience on them, and they are just getting started. It is also important to remain levelheaded during heated, in-class academic arguments. Regardless of the subject being discusses, it would behoove you to stay calm and collected.
Bouncing off that, sometimes there are professors that can be less than agreeable. Try to stay patient. This can be one of the most difficult parts of college. But it builds valuable life skills, almost like learning how to work with a difficult boss. The urge to stand up, drop-mic, and leave has been a long-harbored fantasy of mine with certain professors. But the best way to get back is not to make a scene or drop the class. Conquer that class! Make it your mission to do the best you possibly can. Get a tutor, study with classmates, make school a priority. Because in the end it is your grade, and school is not separate from your life. School is a part of your life.
Every college experience is unique, but as a Veteran, before you can even start this new stage in your life, there is some information you MUST know. Following is a plethora of information to help with you activating and utilizing your Post 9/11 – G.I. Bill Benefits.
The Chapter 33 pamphlet clearly states that, "Generally, you may receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. You will be eligible for benefits for 15 years from your last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days."
Not every school costs the same. Keep in mind the G.I. Bill only pays $21,970.46 per year for Private of Foreign Schools (as of August 1, 2016), and covers all tuition and fees at Public Schools for in-state students. A waiver exists for some eligible service members to receive in-state tuition in all 50 states. But to make it easier, you can calculate your total cost of attending any school in the United States of America. You can also use your G.I. Bill towards Graduate School if you have already received your Undergraduate Degree.
All of this still DOES NOT include your Basic Housing Allowance. BAH is separate and does not come out of the money given to your school each year. The zip code of the school you are attending is the determining factor on how much the VA will pay for each month you are in school. Also, it is paid at the rate of an E-5. BAH is compensating your attendance in school by the week, per month. For example, if your first "month" in the semester is only three weeks, you will be compensated for those three weeks. In addition, you get a $500 book stipend included in your BAH "paycheck" at the end of the first month in each semester. In addition, keep in mind your BAH is relative according to the amount of credits you are actually taking each individual semester, and if you are attending online or in-person.
There are some Private Schools out there that are a part of a Yellow Ribbon Program. Be careful to check each school you are thinking of attending. Some even offer this for graduate programs. Keep in mind schools tend to only offer this perk for a limited amount of students. This can help pay for most if not all the remaining fees for your education.
Another form of Financial Aid you might be eligible for is FAFSA. Also, keep your eye out for scholarships. There are school out there with fabulous scholarships, do not ever be too afraid to apply.
Finally, did you receive a disability rating? If you have at least a 10% rating or more, make sure to do some research additional education benefits [Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)] you might be eligible to receive.
READY?
Your first step before registering for classes at your school is to activate your benefits. If you have not yet applied to schools do not fret! Starting at a junior college initially may be more beneficial anyways. But, if your heart is set on a four-year, remember to be vigilant and look up each schools application deadlines. Keep in mind that some of the information and benefits may be subject to change at anytime. Because of this please keep in contact with your schools Veteran Services or Administration Office.
O'doyle rules!
