Hello all,

Any folks use the post 911 GI bill recently?

I have the Post 911 GI Bill, included is Tuition, a monthly housing allowance and a book stipend.

I am on terminal leave and still active duty. On the VA website it says active duty will not receive A monthly housing allowance.

I am only on active duty for 2 days under the GI bill. I start school on the 11th of Jan, and my active duty expires the 13th. I received a letter stating that I will receive my tuition and book stipend but no mention of the MHA. My question is, what do I need to do, if anything, to receive my MHA? Also, how does one go about receiving the Monthly pay? Thanks a lot! Merry Christmas!

Hello all,

Any folks use the post 911 GI bill recently?

I have the Post 911 GI Bill, included is Tuition, a monthly housing allowance and a book stipend.

I am on terminal leave and still active duty. On the VA website it says active duty will not receive A monthly housing allowance.

I am only on active duty for 2 days under the GI bill. I start school on the 11th of Jan, and my active duty expires the 13th. I received a letter stating that I will receive my tuition and book stipend but no mention of the MHA. My question is, what do I need to do, if anything, to receive my MHA? Also, how does one go about receiving the Monthly pay? Thanks a lot! Merry Christmas!

You do nothing; it's automatic

Like Q said it will be automatic.  You're not getting the BAH because you're still showing up as an active duty SM.  After you ETS, it will, or should change. 

Thanks guys!

VA can be slow at tracking things, so I'd recommend submitting a copy of your DD214 to the VA after your discharge to ensure your MHA payments come in on time.

Also another tip is sign up for the FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) and local scholarships at www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org.  After you apply, you have to tell the financial aid counselor at the school you are attending that #1 you applied and #2 you are off active duty, therefore your income changed and dropped.

So I finally got ahold of the VA (after being on hold for an Hour). I was told i will not receive a MHA payment for the month of january. I will receive payment for febuary but that payment will come March 1st.

Does this sound accurate?

I can understand receiving a reduced amount because I am still active duty untill the 13th but, lossing a payment for January? I appreciate the help!

So I finally got ahold of the VA (after being on hold for an Hour). I was told i will not receive a MHA payment for the month of january. I will receive payment for febuary but that payment will come March 1st.

Does this sound accurate?

I can understand receiving a reduced amount because I am still active duty untill the 13th but, lossing a payment for January? I appreciate the help!

Yes.

You get paid for the previous month

You need to be on active duty status for more than 30 days to receive BAH for that month. 

Q It is accurate that you get paid a month late.
All_rice according to the VA, you are ineligible to receive a housing allowance on active duty.
I am only on active duty until the 13th, I am concerned with the payments form 14th until the remainder of the month (31st).

Here is what I found. I will provide a quote towards the bottom. (Here is the link to the actual bill written https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-110publ252/html/PLAW-110publ252.htm )...

I am technically receiving other education benefits for that month, Why would I not receive a Housing allowance amount that month?
 It seems like the bill was poorly written. If anything. It would make sense to divide the $1500 dollar amount up by 31 days and make a payment of the days you were going to school that month...
So the VA is saying, that since I started school on the 11th, I am ineligible for that month... what about folks that start school on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, ect?
Any folks here start school on a day after the 1st and receive a monthly housing allowance? I really appreciate the help!



"A monthly stipend in an amount as follows:
                          ``(i) For each month the individual pursues
                      the program of education (other than, in the case
                      of assistance under this section only, a program
                      of education offered through distance learning), a
                      monthly housing stipend amount equal to the
                      monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing
                      payable under section 403 of title 37 for a member
                      with dependents in pay grade E-5 residing in the
                      military housing area that encompasses all or the
                      majority portion of the ZIP code area in which is
                      located the institution of higher education at
                      which the individual is enrolled.
                          ``(ii) For the first month of each quarter,
                      semester, or term, as applicable, of the program
                      of education pursued by the individual, a lump sum
                      amount for books, supplies, equipment, and other
                      educational costs"

Q It is accurate that you get paid a month late.
All_rice according to the VA, you are ineligible to receive a housing allowance on active duty.
I am only on active duty until the 13th, I am concerned with the payments form 14th until the remainder of the month (31st).

Here is what I found. I will provide a quote towards the bottom. (Here is the link to the actual bill written https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-110publ252/html/PLAW-110publ252.htm )...

I am technically receiving other education benefits for that month, Why would I not receive a Housing allowance amount that month?
 It seems like the bill was poorly written. If anything. It would make sense to divide the $1500 dollar amount up by 31 days and make a payment of the days you were going to school that month...
So the VA is saying, that since I started school on the 11th, I am ineligible for that month... what about folks that start school on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, ect?
Any folks here start school on a day after the 1st and receive a monthly housing allowance? I really appreciate the help!



"A monthly stipend in an amount as follows:
                          ``(i) For each month the individual pursues
                      the program of education (other than, in the case
                      of assistance under this section only, a program
                      of education offered through distance learning), a
                      monthly housing stipend amount equal to the
                      monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing
                      payable under section 403 of title 37 for a member
                      with dependents in pay grade E-5 residing in the
                      military housing area that encompasses all or the
                      majority portion of the ZIP code area in which is
                      located the institution of higher education at
                      which the individual is enrolled.
                          ``(ii) For the first month of each quarter,
                      semester, or term, as applicable, of the program
                      of education pursued by the individual, a lump sum
                      amount for books, supplies, equipment, and other
                      educational costs"

You should be prorated from the 14th.

I would contact the VA again and inform them of this because you should be prorated from the time you start school until the first of the next month.

So I got off the phone with the VA. I was told that after your are released from active duty you become eligible the next month.
I told her (Rachelle) that I had the bill in front of me and nowhere did it say that... She said it is in federal regulations and I quote "21.9625-2".

NOTHING comes up. And I believe they are lying and making Sh!t up...
I am waiting on a call back from their automated services to see if they can point me in the correct direction. Thanks again for the feed back folks.

So after an hour on the phone with the VA, They provided me this... https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2011-title38-vol2/pdf/CFR-2011-title38-vol2-sec21-9625.pdf
Under section "K". It seems they are correct but, at the top of this law, it only says chapter 30, Not chapter 33. This bill is from 2011.

So after an hour on the phone with the VA, They provided me this... https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2011-title38-vol2/pdf/CFR-2011-title38-vol2-sec21-9625.pdf
Under section "K". It seems they are correct but, at the top of this law, it only says chapter 30, Not chapter 33. This bill is from 2011.

If there is is no update to the gpo file, then the 2011 CFR is correct.

Looks like they won't pay you till March.

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