Benefits available for military service members
By Patrick Loch
The United States does a lot to care for its service members. Beyond hospital care and support groups, there is hard cash to be had. In fact, thousands of dollars are available to service members even after their enlistments are up, especially if they’re going to college.
With so much to gain, it’s hard to see some of these benefits go unclaimed.
There are over 900 students, or 10 percent of the student body, that are connected in one way or another to the armed services – whether they are actively drilling reservists, discharged veterans or family members of either. Not all of them are eligible for benefits, but there are definitely some out there that are. If you think you might be entitled to any benefits, be sure to talk with Veterans Affairs Coordinator Bruce Holzschuh. He mentioned that, “Two to three students a week walk in here having not sought benefits or known that they were eligible.”
Some education benefits a VA rep can help you with:
MN GI Bill eligibility requirements:
Must be a Minnesota resident attending any private or public university, college or career school.
A veteran or eligible non-veteran who has served after Sept. 11, 2001.
A surviving spouse or dependant of a person that died as a direct result of military service after Sept. 11, 2001.
The spouse or dependant of a person who served after Sept. 11, 2001, and has total permanent service-connected disability.
Qualifying beneficiaries are eligible to receive up to $1,000 per semester for full-time and $500 for part-time enrollment. Be sure to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before applying for this benefit.
In addition to the MN GI Bill, students can choose one of several programs to receive money for up to 36 months. In some cases, students can receive an extension of benefits. Holzschuh mentioned that, “Of the students that have used up all of their benefits, two-thirds of them may still get something.”
Chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill) – This benefit pays a flat rate based on your education status (full-time vs. part-time). It is available to actively drilling reservists and National Guard members that have not been deployed.
Chapter 1607 (REAP) – A benefit similar to chapter 1606, the payout is determined by the amount of time spent on active duty orders. It is also available to actively drilling reservists and National Guard members, but they must have been deployed.
Chapter 30 – This benefit provides up to 36 months for service members who have been released from their active duty contract. Not to be confused with active duty orders (which refers to training or deployment), the contract determines the amount of time the service person will serve as active duty personnel, usually two or more years.
Post 9/11 GI Bill – The newest benefit option is available for individuals who served on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001 for at least 90 days. Starting in August of this year, payment is determined by the cumulative amount of time spent on active duty orders (compared to 1607 that uses the longest period spent on active duty orders).
Any student that has yet to lay claim to any of these benefits, it’s not too late. Most paperwork can be submitted throughout the school year. Holzschuh said, “We can’t de-termine how much they get paid, but we can help fill out the applications.” For more information on the GI Bill, visit www.gibill.va.gov/.
A quick run-through of the benefits available to students through their units:
State Tuition Reimbursement (STR) – While not directly a VA program, this benefit is perhaps the most beneficial. It can be claimed through your unit by submitting the proper paperwork at the end of the semester.
Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) – You won’t get both the STR and FTA, but this option will definitely help pay tuition fees, offering up to $4,500 per qualifying student per fiscal year. The proper applications and information should be submitted before the start of the semester. Contact your unit for details on how to collect FTA.
If you think you might be entitled to some of these benefits, be sure to check it out yourself at http://www.va.gov, or stop by Holzschuh’s office in Founders Hall, Room 121. He is also available by phone at (651) 793-1305.