Service members, veterans and their families were able to get a head start on preparing for college during a G.I. Bill workshop hosted by Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River Fleet and Family Support Center, Jan. 28.

"It's just amazing how many veterans are not tapping into the benefits they've earned," said Newell Quinton, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)representative. "I want to help them understand their eligibilities and to help them through the application process."

"There are many things regarding the G.I Bill that are unclear for many families," Quinton said.

Some of the topics Quinton covered were:

Montgomery G.I. Bill (MGIB) Eligible service members may receive up to 36 months of education benefits. The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the type of training you take, length of your service, your category, any college fund eligibility, and if you contributed to the $600 buy-up program.

Post-9/11 GI Bill If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged Veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program. Since its introduction in 2009, the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefit has proven popular with transferability being one of the most-valued features for Sailors interested in paying for their family member's college education.

Transferability Qualified Sailors may elect to transfer all or a portion of their benefits to a spouse or child enrolled in Defense Eligibility Enrollment System and eligible for benefits. For transferability, Sailors must have served at least six years in the Armed Forces and agree to serve an additional four years, in most cases.

You have 10-15 years to use your benefits Once you have separated from the service you have 10 years to use all of your benefits under the Montgomery G.I. Bill and 15 years to use your Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits.

Although separating from service "starts the clock" on your 10-year time limit, you should know that if you rejoin active-duty service for more than 90 days during the 10-year period, your 10-year clock is reset.

The G.I. Bill is not federal financial aid The G.I. Bill is not considered financial aid in the traditional sense. College and university financial aid departments do not consider the G.I. Bill financial aid because it is normally paid directly to you, not the school. Most schools will require students to sign a promissory note or apply for student loans to pay them upfront. Students will then be required to pay these loans - hopefully with their G.I. Bill payments. This also means that students are eligible for student
loans, scholarships and Pell Grants along with the G.I. Bill. Although un-taxable, GI Bill benefit payments reduce the amount of student financial aid you are eligible to receive.

You can stop and start using the G.I. Bill
as needed Many people believe that once a student applies for benefits that student must remain enrolled in school to get the full benefit. This is not true, as students can use the G.I. Bill for any period of time.


Yellow Ribbon Program Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill that allows veterans and their eligible family members to attend private schools and programs at institutions of higher learning costing more than the state tuition cap. The amount of money available differs between institutions. Knowledge of what various schools have to offer financially to G.I. Bill recipients is critical in the selection process.

You can apply for the G.I. Bill online at www.ebenefits.va.gov and completing an online application. For more information about benefits or eligibility, contact Newell Quinton at 301-757-2250 or newell.quinton@va.gov.

For more news from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, visit www.navy.mil/.