Can You Give Me Some Specifics About the Post 9/11 GI Bill?
Q: I just enrolled into Tulsa Welding School and I guess my question is I already have my Post 9/11 GI Bill paperwork and I will start school in August 2013. I want to know how much the GI Bill will cover, how long it will take to get my BAH, who do I need to call to receive such payments.
A: As far as what your Post 9/11 GI Bill would cover, it depends on your tier level. Assuming you are at the 100% level, then it would pay for all of your resident tuition and eligible fees at a public school or up to $19,198.31 per year at a private school.
In addition, you would get up to $948 in monthly housing allowance MHA (not BAH as that is entirely different). The MHA amount I quoted was for the school zip code in Tulsa, OK. For their Jacksonville, FL campus, the MHA would be $1,311.
You would also get up to $83 per month in book stipend money, if your welding school is of the vocational type and not on a credit-based system or up to $41.67 per credit if you are in a credit-based system and degree-producing course.
When you first enroll, it can take up to 8 weeks before you see any money, so you will want to be financially prepared to weather out this dry spell. After that, you should see your MHA deposited into your account about the same time each month.
To start using your Post 9/11 GI Bill, go to the eBenefits website and submit VA Form 22-1990. In return, you would receive your Certificate of Enrollment. Turn in a copy of your certificate when you enroll in school. Your school would submit a Certificate or Enrollment on your behalf and that is what starts your GI Bill payments.