The GI Bill provides crucial education benefits for veterans pursuing higher education. However, navigating GI Bill payment schedules can be confusing for student veterans. If you are a student, this article will help you figure out when your GI Bill payments will be in 2016.
Overview of GI Bill Benefits
First, a quick refresher. The GI Bill refers to various Department of Veterans Affairs education programs designed to help veterans and families after military service. The main benefit programs include:
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Montgomery GI Bill – For those who enrolled and paid into the program while on active duty before 1987 or between 1988-2001.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill – For those who served on active duty for at least 90 days after Sept 10, 2001 Provides tuition, housing allowance, and stipends for books and supplies.
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Transfer of Education Benefits – Allowing Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients to transfer benefits to dependents.
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Survivors’ and Dependents’ Assistance – Provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans.
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Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP): This was a program that helped people on active duty from 1977 to 1985 pay for school. It had limited matching funds before the Montgomery GI Bill.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most widely used program today. But regardless of which GI Bill program you use, understanding the payment schedule is vital to avoid cash flow issues as a student.
How GI Bill Payments Work
GI Bill payments don’t go directly to the student veteran. Instead, the VA sends funds to the student’s university first to cover tuition and fees. Any remaining funds go to the student as a monthly housing allowance and book/supply stipend.
The VA pays benefits after you attend classes each term, not before. So payment typically lags 1-2 months after the start of the term.
For example, if your fall semester begins September 1st the VA will send the first payment at the end of September or beginning of October.
The GI Bill Payment Schedule
Now, let’s discuss the specifics of the GI Bill payment schedule in 2016:
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Payment Frequency – GI Bill benefits are disbursed once per month by the VA. Payments are released near the end of each month.
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Fall Semester – For students attending the fall semester in 2016, expect the first payment by end of September if classes start in August. Second payment by end of October, third payment by end of November, and final payment in mid-December.
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Spring Semester – For spring 2017 semester starting in January, the first payment will come end of January or early February. Second payment by end of February, third end of March, fourth end of April, and final payment mid-May.
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Summer Semester – For summer classes starting May-July 2017, expect first payments end of May, June, or July accordingly, with final summer payments in August.
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Payment Amounts – Payment amounts depend on your GI Bill program, enrollment level, tuition/fees charged by the school, and BAH rates for your school’s zip code. Review your Certificate of Eligibility from the VA to estimate your monthly payment.
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Processing Time – It takes 30-45 days after the VA receives your enrollment certification for payments to begin. Plan finances accordingly if starting a new semester.
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Holiday Delays – GI Bill payments may be delayed 1-2 weeks when the first of the month falls on a federal holiday or weekend. Budget this into your financial plans.
Tips for Managing GI Bill Payments
Managing payment delays and gaps takes some strategic planning as a student. Here are some best practices:
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Contact your school’s certifying official to submit enrollment info to the VA 6-8 weeks before classes start.
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Review your Certificate of Eligibility before each term to estimate expected payments.
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Set up direct deposit with the VA to receive funds faster.
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Minimize gaps by starting classes at the beginning of each term, avoiding late enrollment.
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Consider getting a part-time job for some extra income in payment gap months.
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Ask your landlord or creditors for flexible or delayed payment options when needed.
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Inquire about emergency loans, grants, or scholarships from your school’s financial aid office.
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Contact banks/credit unions about short-term personal loans to bridge the gap if needed.
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Reduce expenses where possible in months with no GI Bill payments.
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Build up savings during months you receive benefits to prepare for gaps.
Tracking GI Bill Payments
You must track payments carefully each semester to stay on top of your GI Bill benefits. Here are some tips:
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Log in to the VA’s WAVE portal to track initial processing and view payment history.
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Contact your school’s VA or financial aid office for assistance.
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Call 1–888-GIBILL-1 to speak with the VA about status or discrepancies.
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Review account statements to confirm monthly deposits from the VA.
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Keep records of all enrollments, tuition/fee charges, and correspondence with the VA.
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Open unpaid claims with the VA if payments differ significantly from expected amounts.
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Compare payments to your Certificate of Eligibility to identify errors.
Proactively monitoring your GI Bill benefits and payments can help you avoid unnecessary issues or delays as you work towards your education goals.
Changes Coming in 2017
While this article covers the 2016 GI Bill payment schedule, it’s worth noting some changes ahead in 2017:
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Housing Allowance – The monthly BASH allowance will change from being prorated by DoD rates to VA rates. So payments will be issued in 30-day monthly increments rather than mirroring active duty pay schedules.
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Tuition/ Fees – GI Bill payments to schools will be based on in-state costs rather than out-of-state costs, unless you qualify for in-state residency.
These changes will take effect August 1, 2017. Consult with your school and the VA to see how it could impact your particular benefits.
Other Payment Considerations
A few other quick points about GI Bill funds:
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You can receive up to 36 months of total benefits. Track months paid carefully.
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Payments only occur during active enrollment periods. No GI Bill benefits are paid between terms or if taking a break.
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The Post-9/11 GI Bill includes a monthly housing stipend. Other programs like Montgomery don’t.
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To receive full BAH rates, take at least 7 credits/ semester for undergraduates or 5 for graduates.
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GI Bill benefits expire 15 years after discharge from active duty.
Getting Help
Hopefully this breakdown gives you a better understanding of what to expect from the GI Bill payment schedule in 2016 and how to manage it while in school. Reach out to these resources if you need help:
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Your School Certifying Official – For questions on enrollment reporting or benefits management.
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VA GI Bill Hotline – Call 888-442-4551 or live chat on VA.gov for payment questions.
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Student Veterans Center – Check with your school for an office that can help vets navigate education benefits.
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VA Regional Office – Locate the nearest VA facility at https://www.va.gov/find-locations for in-person help.
Taking advantage of your well-deserved GI Bill benefits involves some planning and preparation to manage the payment timelines. But you’ve got this – just utilize all the resources available along your educational journey. With commitment and focus, you can minimize financial stress and achieve your academic goals.
GI Bill MHA or BAH Payment Schedule
Use this guide to determine your projected payment date:
- From the date your transaction was processed (labeled as “Transaction Date” on your WAVE account), go to the next business day immediately after that.
- Then, count 3 to 5 days for the range of your projected payment date.
The VA regularly updates the WAVE Certification Projected Payment dates.
Students attending college or university on the GI Bill may qualify for a yearly GI Bill stipend for books and supplies (up to $1,000.00) which is offered based on your enrollment. Full-time students get $500 a semester maximum, paid at the beginning of the academic year. Those who are not full-time attendees will receive a smaller stipend.
It is important to remember that you need to be at over half-time status in order to receive any GI Bill Housing Payment benefit. If you are above half-time credit hours but below full-time you would receive a prorated amount.
Those who attend above half-time hours but are not full-time attendees will have a prorated GI Bill housing stipend paid to them rather than the full time amount.
Some may notice a smaller GI Bill housing stipend paid when the term begins in August or December, most often caused by the shortened academic schedule for that first month back to class. This is typical.
Some students may qualify for a one-time payment of $500 from the VA, offered to those who are relocating from rural areas such as counties with six people or less per square mile as determined by the latest census. Those who qualify soon learn that like other GI Bill benefits, you should not expect a specific payment date but like most other benefits in this area will be disbursed at the start of the term unless your school or the VA notifies you otherwise.
GI Bill Payments: Who Gets What?
In general, all tuition and fee requirements are paid directly to the school. You will not be responsible for handling or transferring GI Bill funds in this area.
The student is paid directly for the following:
- Monthly housing allowance (MHA) or basic allowance for housing (BAH)
- Annual books and supplies payments
- VA rural benefit where applicable
The school is paid directly for the following:
- Tuition costs every semester/term/training period