Veterans Thread Forum

[Rotor]

I have a question in the same vein as the seat deposit refund for those of us with 100% GI bill eligibility, YRP, and scholarships that more than cover the full cost of tuition. I was reading the financial aid website earlier and noticed that we are allowed to add the cost of a computer to our financial aid package once while in school. So, is it possible that the cost of that computer could just come out of the funds already committed above the full cost of tuition without taking a loan?

I haven't yet asked my financial aid office, and I feel slightly penny pinchy even wondering, but I'm spoiled by my work laptop that will go away in less than 45 days.

I don't think so. The VA pays the tuition and fees required for the degree program. Computers are not required and thus the VA will not pay. While the size of your financial aid package can be increased for laptops, it just means you get the pleasure of borrowing more money if necessary.

[Magical Trevor]

That's the reason I'm asking. There is also scholarship money on top of the VA subsidies which adds up to a substantial surplus every year. I know they won't refund me the extra money, but I'm wondering if the computer can be claimed given that we are allowed a one time expense.

[J-e-L-L-o]

Why not ask the VA rep at your school. I know voc rehab does give you an allowance, but not sure if GI bill does.

[Magical Trevor]

I will be, I just wondered if anyone here had direct experience or would warn me against even asking.

[twobitrye]

I've heard from a few sources (including a VA rep) that the VA will pay for the entire term in which Post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility ends. This would mean, for example, that if you started a term with only 10 days of eligibility left, the VA/Yellow Ribbon would cover the entire tuition + BAH for the term rather than just 10 days worth.

Even though the VA told me this, it sounds too good to be true. Can anyone confirm that this is actually how it works? Also, I'm assuming term would mean semester at most law schools, yes?

[FairchildFLT]

Any opinions on UT at Austin? I've been looking at CU Boulder and DU but per the advice of the members of this board I've started looking further up the chain.

Self bump

[Magical Trevor]

It really depends on what you want to do, where you have ties, and where you actually get accepted.

http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=texas

[graphia]

Just got my financial aid offer from NYU! I'm 100% Post 9/11 GI Bill eligible, so tuition should be covered 100% by YRP. I'm thinking about trying to negotiate the scholarship into a smaller cost of living stipend or something similar. Does anyone have experience or knowledge with this?

EDIT: Think I may have found an answer. The award letter states, "It should be noted that NYU School of Law does not award institutional aid in excess of tuition."

[SemperLegal]

Just got my financial aid offer from NYU! I'm 100% Post 9/11 GI Bill eligible, so tuition should be covered 100% by YRP. I'm thinking about trying to negotiate the scholarship into a smaller cost of living stipend or something similar. Does anyone have experience or knowledge with this?

EDIT: Think I may have found an answer. The award letter states, "It should be noted that NYU School of Law does not award institutional aid in excess of tuition."

Still talk to them. If the VA sees that you have a scholarship that applies to fees and tuition, they will subtract that amount from the amount they give. However, if the amount is reclassified as a stipend or any one of a number of other ways, you can keep both. Doesn't cost the school a dollar more.

Not sure how this applies would apply with YRP, however. I'm in-state at a public school.

[graphia]

Talked to NYU Financial Aid Office this morning. I explained the situation and they said they would upchannel the request to their director and consider it. I'll update this thread when I hear anything either way. Wish me luck!

[J-e-L-L-o]

I've heard from a few sources (including a VA rep) that the VA will pay for the entire term in which Post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility ends. This would mean, for example, that if you started a term with only 10 days of eligibility left, the VA/Yellow Ribbon would cover the entire tuition + BAH for the term rather than just 10 days worth.

Even though the VA told me this, it sounds too good to be true. Can anyone confirm that this is actually how it works? Also, I'm assuming term would mean semester at most law schools, yes?

I can confirm. I took a one unit class for veterans at my undergrad and our on campus VA rep confirmed this and explained it in a lot of detail.

Term applies to length of program defined by the academic calendar. There are a few schools that are quarters (think Chicago) but most are semesters.

[Cobretti]

I've heard from a few sources (including a VA rep) that the VA will pay for the entire term in which Post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility ends. This would mean, for example, that if you started a term with only 10 days of eligibility left, the VA/Yellow Ribbon would cover the entire tuition + BAH for the term rather than just 10 days worth.

Even though the VA told me this, it sounds too good to be true. Can anyone confirm that this is actually how it works? Also, I'm assuming term would mean semester at most law schools, yes?

I can confirm. I took a one unit class for veterans at my undergrad and our on campus VA rep confirmed this and explained it in a lot of detail.

Term applies to length of program defined by the academic calendar. There are a few schools that are quarters (think Chicago) but most are semesters.

I've tried to get a VA rep to confirm this but every one I have asked has denied this. My benefits ended this semester and so far I still have the full values posted on my FinAid site though... Really hope you guys are right.

[J-e-L-L-o]

I've heard from a few sources (including a VA rep) that the VA will pay for the entire term in which Post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility ends. This would mean, for example, that if you started a term with only 10 days of eligibility left, the VA/Yellow Ribbon would cover the entire tuition + BAH for the term rather than just 10 days worth.

Even though the VA told me this, it sounds too good to be true. Can anyone confirm that this is actually how it works? Also, I'm assuming term would mean semester at most law schools, yes?

I can confirm. I took a one unit class for veterans at my undergrad and our on campus VA rep confirmed this and explained it in a lot of detail.

Term applies to length of program defined by the academic calendar. There are a few schools that are quarters (think Chicago) but most are semesters.

I've tried to get a VA rep to confirm this but every one I have asked has denied this. My benefits ended this semester and so far I still have the full values posted on my FinAid site though... Really hope you guys are right.

That just means if your benefits end mid semester, that semester will be paid for, and you will continue to receive your BAH amount until the end of the semester. That's how it was explained to me.

Let us know what happens

[twobitrye]

I've heard from a few sources (including a VA rep) that the VA will pay for the entire term in which Post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility ends. This would mean, for example, that if you started a term with only 10 days of eligibility left, the VA/Yellow Ribbon would cover the entire tuition + BAH for the term rather than just 10 days worth.

Even though the VA told me this, it sounds too good to be true. Can anyone confirm that this is actually how it works? Also, I'm assuming term would mean semester at most law schools, yes?

I can confirm. I took a one unit class for veterans at my undergrad and our on campus VA rep confirmed this and explained it in a lot of detail.

Term applies to length of program defined by the academic calendar. There are a few schools that are quarters (think Chicago) but most are semesters.

I've tried to get a VA rep to confirm this but every one I have asked has denied this. My benefits ended this semester and so far I still have the full values posted on my FinAid site though... Really hope you guys are right.

That just means if your benefits end mid semester, that semester will be paid for, and you will continue to receive your BAH amount until the end of the semester. That's how it was explained to me.

Let us know what happens

Thanks for the responses. In the mean time, I got a bit of new info on this. Apparently the VA will pay the entire semester in the term where your eligibility ends only if you've only used Chapter 33. If you used Chapter 31 at all, they won't do it.

[Cobretti]

That just means if your benefits end mid semester, that semester will be paid for, and you will continue to receive your BAH amount until the end of the semester. That's how it was explained to me.

Let us know what happens

Thanks for the responses. In the mean time, I got a bit of new info on this. Apparently the VA will pay the entire semester in the term where your eligibility ends only if you've only used Chapter 33. If you used Chapter 31 at all, they won't do it.

All 36 (38?) months on Ch. 33... This would save me about 10K, I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

[FairchildFLT]

I've narrowed my list of schools down to Virginia (6) Berkley (8) Michigan (11) Texas (15) and to keep my wife off my back CU Boulder (43.) These are not in any particular order of precedence. Is there a large difference in opportunity between the T14 and UT at #15? UT offers 10k a year for housing to residents accepted for their early decision application. With a wife and two kids an extra 10k will go nicely with my BAH.

I've got a 3.5 GPA, Male AA URM, taking the LSAT in September, prior military service. Obviously thats not really enough to judge me on but its a rough picture.

[Cobretti]

I've narrowed my list of schools down to Virginia (6) Berkley (8) Michigan (11) Texas (15) and to keep my wife off my back CU Boulder (43.) These are not in any particular order of precedence. Is there a large difference in opportunity between the T14 and UT at #15? UT offers 10k a year for housing to residents accepted for their early decision application. With a wife and two kids an extra 10k will go nicely with my BAH.

I've got a 3.5 GPA, Male AA URM, taking the LSAT in September, prior military service. Obviously thats not really enough to judge me on but its a rough picture.

You gotta get your LSAT before you can really make a list, but generally if you are competitive for those schools you should just blanket most of the T14. UT seems to be placing very well recently and is pretty close to placing as well as GULC, but its sitll a drop from the rest of the T14. However it sounds like you are a Texas resident, and if your goal is to end up in Texas then UT is still very strong. You can do more research on schools in the Choosing a Law School Forum. Good place to start is the 2013 ABA data thread.

And I don't know the specifics on the UT housing scholarship. Normally its difficult to double dip scholarships with the GI Bill/YRP (assuming you're 100%), but if it is actually classified as a housing stipend i think you might still get that 10K on top of full tuition + BAH from GI Bill/YRP.

This is all pretty premature though, you really gotta focus on your LSAT. Also, you might want to be sure that GPA is what LSAC will also calculate it as. LSAC counts every college class you've ever taken (including classes you've retaken) at every school you've ever attended, so people often have different GPAs according to LSAC than what their school calculates it as. There are shitty GPA calculators available online.

[agglomeration]

Any vets on here currently at Columbia? I just received an email from them saying i was placed on "hold" and am looking for some advice about what to do next.

[graphia]

Talked to NYU Financial Aid Office this morning. I explained the situation and they said they would upchannel the request to their director and consider it. I'll update this thread when I hear anything either way. Wish me luck!

Spoke to the financial aid director this morning on the phone. Unfortunately, they're not going to be able to reclassify the scholarship to include living expenses. It was worth a try, at least now I have a safety net in case NYU drops their YRP contributions.

[tfinndogm]

Hi all -

AD AF intel officer/instructor here.
3.19 UG GPA/LSAT in june. first PT before my studying push was a 154, let's hope it goes up.
Looking into Indiana University, but considering Boston U and Boston C, along with other east coast schools.
Unfortunately my mil experience will be short, currently in the process of being MEB/PEB'd

Just here looking for ideas on vet-friendly schools and where my experience may help with a lower GPA than what is normally accepted for law school.

My first Q though - (this could be answered in the 48 pages of the thread) What is the best way to translate my mil experience/instruction into a civilian resume/transcript? Thanks!

[J-e-L-L-o]

Hi all -

AD AF intel officer/instructor here.
3.19 UG GPA/LSAT in june. first PT before my studying push was a 154, let's hope it goes up.
Looking into Indiana University, but considering Boston U and Boston C, along with other east coast schools.
Unfortunately my mil experience will be short, currently in the process of being MEB/PEB'd

Just here looking for ideas on vet-friendly schools and where my experience may help with a lower GPA than what is normally accepted for law school.

My first Q though - (this could be answered in the 48 pages of the thread) What is the best way to translate my mil experience/instruction into a civilian resume/transcript? Thanks!

Well the most important thing for law school is the LSAT. It is a learnable test and you can improve substantially by self learning. Check out the test prep forum for good guides and study strategies. Do NOT apply to law school if you have not spent adequate time in preparing for the LSAT. You will limit yourself to lower tier schools and will give up huge amounts of scholarship money.

[tfinndogm]

Hi all -

AD AF intel officer/instructor here.
3.19 UG GPA/LSAT in june. first PT before my studying push was a 154, let's hope it goes up.
Looking into Indiana University, but considering Boston U and Boston C, along with other east coast schools.
Unfortunately my mil experience will be short, currently in the process of being MEB/PEB'd

Just here looking for ideas on vet-friendly schools and where my experience may help with a lower GPA than what is normally accepted for law school.

My first Q though - (this could be answered in the 48 pages of the thread) What is the best way to translate my mil experience/instruction into a civilian resume/transcript? Thanks!

Well the most important thing for law school is the LSAT. It is a learnable test and you can improve substantially by self learning. Check out the test prep forum for good guides and study strategies. Do NOT apply to law school if you have not spent adequate time in preparing for the LSAT. You will limit yourself to lower tier schools and will give up huge amounts of scholarship money.

thanks - noted on what the LSAT is . haha but really, I've been studying daily now since my first PT about a month ago (after looking at the test prep forums). I find the manhattan lsat book series to be incredibly helpful.

but my original purpose for joining this thread and my original question still stands.

[FairchildFLT]

What area of study is most applicable to government contract law? (Besides an actual program about government contract law) Only a few schools have a program in the area. I'm a government contract specialist and my #1 would be UTA right now on my wish list. 3 of the 5 law firms that hire the most grads from UTA have a government contracts department. I feel like playing to my strengths will better my odds. Thanks in advance!

[Mourinho349]

Hey all, I heard from quite a few of you over in the 'What are my Chances?' thread, but I found this one and figure I'll be living here most of the time through next cycle.

Navy O-2 with 3.5 years AD
LSAT: 169
LSDAS: 3.26 B.S. in Finance from strong, private undergrad business school.

I'm 100% GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon eligible. I will be practicing at a family firm (small law), after graduation.

Top Schools:

Michigan - I'm a Michigan resident and will definitely be practicing in Michigan after graduation. I most likely plan on applying ED. GI Bill would pay 100%, no YRP apps req'd. I don't feel entirely confident about getting in, which is why I want to use my ED here to try and give me a boost, hoping my residency will also help.

Northwestern - This is a close 2nd to Michigan due to family ties to the law school. I also really like the fact that their accepted students tend to have more WE and thus make for a more mature class. There have been days where I consider applying ED to NU instead. I would have to apply for YRP here though. I feel better about getting in here than U of M because of their preference for work experience, but by no means consider myself a guarantee.

Also Applying:

Cornell
GULC
UCLA
WUSTL
ND

[JazzieShizzle]

My first Q though - (this could be answered in the 48 pages of the thread) What is the best way to translate my mil experience/instruction into a civilian resume/transcript? Thanks!

I stressed myself out big time over this for a couple months, but then I realized it's not really a big deal. I have a big overall heading for ARMY(basically) then under that I have a heading for each unit I've been in with a couple bullet points of things I did in each unit. Just avoid acronyms and militaryspeak and you'll be fine. Don't worry about tying to "translate" what you did and just write what you did, basically the same way you'd say it to a civilian. Don't try to over-explain yourself, just keep it simple.