The changes in the GI bill the VA hasn't talked about.

<p>I am basing this thread on the text of the law available at <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-111s3447enr/pdf/BILLS-111s3447enr.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-111s3447enr/pdf/BILLS-111s3447enr.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>the old law is available here United</a> States Code: Title 38,CHAPTER 33—POST–9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE | LII / Legal Information Institute</p>

<p>I encourage you to read both this and the law that it modifies as I have only really looked at what applies to me. If you do find something that has not been talked about that relates to you please share it here.
The biggest change I noticed is the order in which the GI bill pays. It used to be that the VA would pay your tuition without looking at what scholarships and grants you received. As of the implementation of these changes the GI bill will now pay only the difference between the charged tuition after scholarships and grants. It is hard to say whether this will apply to scholarships and grants given by your school as it speaks only of scholarships and grants paid to the institution not BY the institution. I highly encourage those who are using any surplus they may receive at this time to start planning for this change.
SEC. 102. AMOUNTS OF ASSISTANCE FOR PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION
LEADING TO A DEGREE PURSUED AT PUBLIC, NON-PUBLIC,
AND FOREIGN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING.
(a) AMOUNTS OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 3313(c) is amended—
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting
‘‘leading to a degree at an institution of higher learning
(as that term is defined in section 3452(f))’’ after ‘‘program
of education’’; and
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraph (A)
and inserting the following new subparagraph (A):
‘‘(A) An amount equal to the following:
‘‘(i) In the case of a program of education pursued
at a public institution of higher learning, the actual
net cost for in-State tuition and fees assessed by the
institution for the program of education after the
application of—
‘‘(I) any waiver of, or reduction in, tuition and
fees; and
‘‘(II) any scholarship, or other Federal, State,
institutional, or employer-based aid or assistance
(other than loans and any funds provided under
section 401(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1070a)) that is provided directly to the
institution and specifically designated for the sole
purpose of defraying tuition and fees.
S. 3447—4
‘‘(ii) In the case of a program of education pursued
at a non-public or foreign institution of higher learning,
the lesser of—
‘‘(I) the actual net cost for tuition and fees
assessed by the institution for the program of education
after the application of—
‘‘(aa) any waiver of, or reduction in, tuition
and fees; and
‘‘(bb) any scholarship, or other Federal,
State, institutional, or employer-based aid or
assistance (other than loans and any funds
provided under section 401(b) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965) that is provided
directly to the institution and specifically designated
for the sole purpose of defraying tuition
and fees; or
‘‘(II) the amount equal to—
‘‘(aa) for the academic year beginning on
August 1, 2011, $17,500; or
‘‘(bb) for an academic year beginning on
any subsequent August 1, the amount for the
previous academic year beginning on August
1 under this subclause, as increased by the
percentage increase equal to the most recent
percentage increase determined under section
3015(h).’’.</p>

<p>I’m new to this GI BIll thing so I just want to make sure I’m reading this right.</p>

<p>The way it used to be was the VA paid the college your tuition, then if you were awarded any scholarships those were applied to whatever(if any) was left over. Whatever money was remaining was given back to you in a check by the college.</p>

<p>Now, the scholarships will be applied first, then whatever is remaining will be paid by the VA, not to exceed whatever your normail tuition bill is. So, basically no free cash.</p>

<p>Am I correct?</p>

<p>This sucks if this is the way it is but, I guess we cant really complain too much, it’s still a helluva lot better than most people get.</p>

<p>It depends on how it is implemented but from what I am seeing yes the free money is going to dry up.</p>

<p>Is this going to interfere with our BAH allowance at all?? They pay based on zip code. Will we still receive the full amounts?</p>