A word of caution if using Post 9/11 GI Bill

[Prloko]

I was originally enrolled at TESC under the MDCP (which does not require an enrollment fee as long as you take a certain number of residency credits, currenty 24). To save time and the headache of taking additional TESC credits, I completed some CLEPs and then switched to the enrolled option and had the GI Bill pay for it. The rep at TESC stated to graduate on time to pre-pay out of pocket the enrollment and grad fee, then when I get my GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility, TESC will backdate the fees and reimburse me.

I signed up for the post 9/11 online and apparently when I elected to change from Chap 30 to Post 9/11, the effective date was in the middle of my semester. When the VA processed my request, they prorated my amount from the date of election and I have now lost $900 out of pocket that I thought would be paid by the GI Bill.

I'm currently working the issue with VA and TESC to see if there is something that can be done. My warning to anyone making an election to switch to post 9.11, according to the VA rep, you can backdate your date of election. Ensure you backdate it AT LEAST to the beginning of the semester you are claiming if you want the entire amount paid.

I thought the date of election was just a date I changed over, I stupidly didn't realize that the date is set in stone and will only be paid going forward. Since according to the technicality, I switched to Post 9/11 on that date, it should mean that I still had Chap 30 prior to that date, so I am going to be submitting another claim using Chap 30, hopefully this works.

[Harpda]

Thanks for the heads up. One question: Was it difficult to switch from MDCP to the enrolled option? I just applied (under MDCP) and my transfer credits haven't even arrived there yet. Just wondering how to change this over and if that process was problematic or easy.

[Prloko]

Thanks for the heads up. One question: Was it difficult to switch from MDCP to the enrolled option? I just applied (under MDCP) and my transfer credits haven't even arrived there yet. Just wondering how to change this over and if that process was problematic or easy.

It was very easy, all it took was an email to the registrar including my GI Bill COE. In fact, for all military, I recommend enrolling first under MDCP just to lock in the catalog year, and before your last semester, switch to the enrolled option (if you do want to get the 24 credits) and the GI Bill will cover it and use about 12 weeks of benefits. You can also use TECEPs instead of CLEPs to fill the requirement cheaply (approx $100 per TECEP exam).

[Vandalet]

Good catch. luckily i switched to the post 911 a few months before i started school.

Are you going to use your post 911 for a masters? gotta take at least one class on campus so you can bank up the good BAH. I have so many friends who got out or switched to the reserves who dont use their gi bill.

[myhome417]

what is the strategy to study for Intro to Sociology, and US Hist I ? my email is myhome417@gmail.com. will take the testy in Aug 15 2014. thanks for helping another Airman

[dposborne]

Are you going to use your post 911 for a masters? gotta take at least one class on campus so you can bank up the good BAH. I have so many friends who got out or switched to the reserves who dont use their gi bill.
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You still end up with half BAH if you go full time Online instead of part on campus and part online or full at campus.

[Outis]

I am about to enroll at TESC (academic evaluation has been completed), but really can't afford to pay $3k for the pleasure of enrolling and taking a capstone course. I understand that if I enroll at TESC with my Post 911 GI Bill benefits the enrollment fee is waived (is the bill simply forwarded to Uncle Sam?).

Does anyone know how the VA charges you for this fee? Is it deducted from the 36 months of benefits that you initially start out with, and if so, how much damage is done? I believe I have about 28 months of benefits left out of the initial 36. I need to use these benefits for grad school, so I'm pretty concerned about how the VA will charge me for the enrollment fee.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[smf6824]

Enrollment fee is waived but you must do at least 24 credit hours there which can be done with TECEPs but thr GI bill does not pay for TECEPs .

[Outis]

Enrollment fee is waived but you must do at least 24 credit hours there which can be done with TECEPs but thr GI bill does not pay for TECEPs .

Thanks for the response. I just want to clarify - is the enrollment fee waived or charged to the VA?

[Prloko]

Thanks for the response. I just want to clarify - is the enrollment fee waived or charged to the VA?

My situation in the original post no longer applies. The VA now REQUIRES you to take the enrolled option for which there is NO ENROLLMENT fee, but you have to get the 24 credits. The reason is to save costs, but its quite possible that this can cause the VA in certain cases to actually pay MORE in ed costs. If the student was going to use CLEP and other non traditional sources, the 1800 enrollment fee plus the cost of one class. Now, the student is forced to take courses at TESC and if the student elects to take only online courses, it would cost the VA thousands.