<p>Before I start, for those of you who are unfamiliar there has been a radical update to the G.I. Bill. Basically, in addition to covering full tuition costs at the most expensive school in your state, they're also going to give you a monthly "cost of living stipend" as well as an annual stipend for books. Details can be found here - GI</a> Bill 2008 ? About the New GI Bill</p>
<p>Now...onto my conundrum. This new bill appears to only cover the cost of tuition "up to the most expensive school in-state" (in my case Maryland). Fair enough. However, I want to go to a school in another state (Florida). As things stand now, I'm not due to seperate from the service until March '09. Even if I immediately move to FL, I'm not going to attain 'residency' status until March 2010 ...therefore I'm not even eligible to take advantage of their 'in-state' tuition rates until the Fall 2010 semester (or maybe summer 2010 if FSU and/or UF offer classes then?). So, correct me if I'm wrong but...I can't start school (and expect to have it covered) for another TWO YEARS!? LAME. Anybody else more spun up on this new bill than me...am I misinterpreting anything? Help and valid information are very much appreciated.</p>
<p>And, they might have special residency rules for military personnel or dependents who are aren't even in that state. For example, University of Maryland University College has distance and online programs operating world-wide. Military personnel and certain dependents automatically have "in-state" status for tuition/fees.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, no. I will be finishing up my enlistment in Korea until I separate. I've looked quite a bit into special exemptions and what-not. However, they're all geared towards those active-duty members which are already stationed there (as you mentioned). Even if I apply for a change of residency <em>now</em>, I don't believe the one-year 'clock' starts ticking until I actually set foot on FL soil. </p>
<p>As for UMD-UC, they have these policies in place b/c they're specially designed to work w/ military folks in mind. Even if UF,FSU, etc. have similar programs, they probably won't be able to offer me the same service by the time I apply since I'll no longer be in the military. In any event, I'm certainly taking advantage of the free education I can get while I'm in. But I'm just kind of bummed out that I have to sit on the side-lines for a year and a half waiting to become a resident. </p>
<p>I guess it's time for me to start diggin for some scholarships, grants and filling out the ole' FAFSA! ;)</p>
<p>I don't think residency applies when using the GI Bill; it is based on the state in which you live and go to school. So you would get up to the highest FL public school tuition, plus a living stipend of BAH equal to and E5 there, as well as the book stipend.</p>
<p>Yeah...I'm just not sure...I wrote the VA and got a response of (literally) "we don't know at this time" when I asked about what "in-state" meant in terms of any kind of residency requirement. Then I dug this up on their FAQ's - </p>
<p>...with particular attention to this line - "The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay up to the most expensive in-state tuition and fees at a public institution of higher learning in the veteran's state".</p>
<p>If this is the case, they may indeed "pay up to the most expensive "in-state" tuition in FL"...but that's only around $7000. If I'm still technically an out-of-state resident, schools like UF charge $20K. If you look at the tuition block of the table on this site - GI</a> Bill 2008 ? About the New GI Bill ...(the 'Click here for a list of the most expensive public schools in each state' hyperlink) - they reference specifically the most expensive in-state tuition rates for each state. All of this seems to point that you have to have "in-state" status in order to receive any kind of money at all. </p>
<p>I know it sounds like it...I'm <em>really</em> not trying to be negative on this one, and I'm going to keep checking in w/ the VA & Ed. offices here on base. I will get the real answers and post them as soon as I find out.</p>
<p>Btw - thank you very much (all of you) for your input. JustAMomOf4 - that's a great idea...I'm definitely going to do that.</p>
<p>Well...after doing a little digging...it does appear that there is <em>some</em> light at the end of the tunnel. From what I can gather, it appears that the G.I. Bill is only going to pay out "the most expensive public, in-state" rate. However, whether you <em>qualify</em> for that in-state rate via your residency (according to the institution to which you're applying) is a different matter - regardless, I believe the $$ is still there. SO, I looked into things a bit and the "out-of-state tuition" for a local community college in my future area is around $6K...the highest "in-state" tuition cap for the state overall is around $6500. So I think I might be able to finish out an associate's and transfer without any problems! Thoughts...opinions...?</p>