| Veterans
News Flash 
Education
Benefits
Run Out For Too Many, Too Often
Air Force Print News
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFPN) -- Education benefits
are still among the top reasons many individuals
join the military. Despite this fact, more than
40 percent of Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits go
unused each year, according to officials at the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
One major cause: Time.
"Unfortunately, G.I. bill benefits have an expiration
date," said Tan Johnson, VA representative. "Once
(people) separate from active-duty, they have up
to 10 years to use all their G.I. Bill benefits."
This means an individual who starts attending college
eight years after leaving the service will have
only two years to complete a degree.
"That's why we strongly encourage people to use
this entitlement because you've earned it, you've
paid into it, and you don't want to lose your money," Mrs.
Johnson said.
Currently, the program pays more than $1,000 a
month for 36 months to eligible candidates. This
money can be used to cover the cost of tuition
and to buy text books and other school supplies
while attending a regionally or nationally accredited
educational institution.
The new G.I. Bill buy-up program offers an additional
incentive. Individuals pay an extra $600 to receive
an additional $5,400 in education benefits.
"Get in contact with the VA, they will let you
know if the school is accredited by their terms," Mrs.
Johnson said. "Then you'll get in contact with
the certifying official at that school and provide
documents showing you've paid into the G.I. Bill
and that you'd like to use it."
Still, VA officials are quick to point out that
getting started is the easy part. Actually using
G.I. Bill benefits before they run out is where
many people fall short.
More information about the G.I. Bill is available online.
SOURCE:
VNIS
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