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GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 8:05 pm
by Grunt2Grad
I have 12 months of remaining benefits and would like to know how far that will take me into law school? I have attempted to search for the total amount of months law school programs are (actual in class room months that count towards GI Bill) and have come up short. I guess what I am really trying to find out is can I squeeze two years of law school out of twelve months of benefits? Will it at least cover one full year?
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:18 pm
by twenty
It should cover at least one full year, and I think for Texas state schools (i.e, UT Austin) it will cover the full second year, but I'm not certain. Might look into that.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:20 pm
by zbollenb
Why not apply for voc rehab
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 10:41 am
by Grunt2Grad
I am not familiar with voc rehab, is that an option for pursuing law school? I will look into what it is, thanks for the feedback. As for what the remaining benefits would cover in Texas, I am hoping it will be something similar no matter where I end up. Thanks again for the feedback.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 11:15 am
by Ricky-Bobby
Grunt2Grad wrote:I am not familiar with voc rehab, is that an option for pursuing law school? I will look into what it is, thanks for the feedback. As for what the remaining benefits would cover in Texas, I am hoping it will be something similar no matter where I end up. Thanks again for the feedback.
FYI you need at least a 20% disability rating to qualify for Voc Rehab. Not that it's particularly hard to get to 20%, but the requirement is there.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 11:22 am
by Grunt2Grad
I am at 80% so I have that part covered, I have just never looked into it. I am all for learning about resources out there available for vets though. Thank you for the input, when I get out of class today I will try and research it some more.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 11:26 am
by encore1101
Each school year is 9 months, so you have one full year and 1/3 of a second year.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 11:31 am
by zbollenb
I PMed you with good info.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 12:09 pm
by SemperLegal
Grunt2Grad wrote:I have 12 months of remaining benefits and would like to know how far that will take me into law school? I have attempted to search for the total amount of months law school programs are (actual in class room months that count towards GI Bill) and have come up short. I guess what I am really trying to find out is can I squeeze two years of law school out of twelve months of benefits? Will it at least cover one full year?
You will get 12 months of BAH and three semesters of tuition paid. The VA will pay full tuition if you have partial months of eligibility.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 1:28 pm
by Ricky-Bobby
SemperLegal wrote:Grunt2Grad wrote:I have 12 months of remaining benefits and would like to know how far that will take me into law school? I have attempted to search for the total amount of months law school programs are (actual in class room months that count towards GI Bill) and have come up short. I guess what I am really trying to find out is can I squeeze two years of law school out of twelve months of benefits? Will it at least cover one full year?
You will get 12 months of BAH and three semesters of tuition paid. The VA will pay full tuition if you have partial months of eligibility.
Wait, really? I have 10 months left. Would I also get 3 semesters?
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 3:26 pm
by Grunt2Grad
I have been looking into the voc rehab and it seems like a great program if you get a counselor willing to sign off on Layer as your career goal. I have read a few different excuses the VA likes to give out like: there is no guarantee you pass the bar, there is no measured success rate for the program etc.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 3:28 pm
by zbollenb
.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 3:29 pm
by Grunt2Grad
Ricky-Bobby wrote:SemperLegal wrote:Grunt2Grad wrote:I have 12 months of remaining benefits and would like to know how far that will take me into law school? I have attempted to search for the total amount of months law school programs are (actual in class room months that count towards GI Bill) and have come up short. I guess what I am really trying to find out is can I squeeze two years of law school out of twelve months of benefits? Will it at least cover one full year?
You will get 12 months of BAH and three semesters of tuition paid. The VA will pay full tuition if you have partial months of eligibility.
Wait, really? I have 10 months left. Would I also get 3 semesters?
I called the VA and asked to get an explanation on the process and the lady on the phone said that only a prorated amount would be paid for the remaining benefits not the entire quarter. However, in my experience with the VA and Military being told something by one person does not always mean it is true.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 4:49 pm
by Ricky-Bobby
Grunt2Grad wrote:Ricky-Bobby wrote:SemperLegal wrote:Grunt2Grad wrote:I have 12 months of remaining benefits and would like to know how far that will take me into law school? I have attempted to search for the total amount of months law school programs are (actual in class room months that count towards GI Bill) and have come up short. I guess what I am really trying to find out is can I squeeze two years of law school out of twelve months of benefits? Will it at least cover one full year?
You will get 12 months of BAH and three semesters of tuition paid. The VA will pay full tuition if you have partial months of eligibility.
Wait, really? I have 10 months left. Would I also get 3 semesters?
I called the VA and asked to get an explanation on the process and the lady on the phone said that only a prorated amount would be paid for the remaining benefits not the entire quarter. However, in my experience with the VA and Military being told something by one person does not always mean it is true.
This sounds right. The better question is whether a partial semester counts for full YRP eligibility. I might need to look into this after work. If I can get full YRP for 1 month of remaining benefit my school choice just got a lot more difficult.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:09 pm
by gabe4455
I have done my research regarding voc rehab but if anyone on here would be willing to share their personal story on how they went about obtaining it, I would really appreciate it.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:26 pm
by Grunt2Grad
gabe4455 wrote:I have done my research regarding voc rehab but if anyone on here would be willing to share their personal story on how they went about obtaining it, I would really appreciate it.
In speaking with the voc rehab office in my region today the guy made it very clear that the program is very much case by case basis. I just started looking into this today so I am certainly not the subject matter expert, but it sure sounds like who you get assigned as a counselor and their ability to work with you is going to play a key role in getting approval. Again, that is purely speculative and I will keep people posted as I attempt the process myself throughout the rest of the year.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 9:47 am
by Grunt2Grad
Finally officially applied for the Voc Rehab program. I guess I should get something in the mail in 3-4 weeks letting me know when I need to report to my counselor and what I should bring. I got a few letters of rec from professors stating "I demonstrate talents consistent with those who succeed in law school and the legal profession" and my unofficial transcripts. I also have a complete "JD Action Plan" which lists schools I will apply to, why I want to go to law school, why I want to practice law etc. I am not sure if any of that will actually help but I want to go in there prepared and hope they see I am committed. I will let people know how the appointment goes.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 3:45 pm
by twenty
Please do. I'm sure this would be very helpful to anyone who only has part of the GI bill.
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 3:51 pm
by Grunt2Grad
I met with my Voc Rehab counselor today and had my Voc Rehab goal of becoming an attorney approved! Thank you for everyone that gave me advice. What a game changer!!!
Re: GI Bill (Post 9/11)
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 9:01 am
by sunsheyen
Grunt2Grad wrote:I met with my Voc Rehab counselor today and had my Voc Rehab goal of becoming an attorney approved! Thank you for everyone that gave me advice. What a game changer!!!
That's awesome!! Hope this thread stays bumped for all our other vets who need info on the system. Seems like it's been really helpful for you and others to connect!