Editor’s note: If your computer prohibits you from watching the video above, watch it on Facebook by clicking here.
On Feb. 15, VA and the National Military Family Association hosted the #ExploreVA Facebook Live event on VA education benefit changes. Robert M. Worley II, VA’s director of Education Service, and Besa Pinchotti, communications director for NMFA, discussed these recent changes and how they may affect Veterans, service members and their family members looking to further their education.
“Many people think that the GI Bill only applies to four-year institutions, bachelor’s degrees or associate degrees,” says Worley. “You can get graduate degrees using your benefits. There are non-college degree programs where you can earn certificates, you can go to technical schools, even OTJT (on-the-job training) apprenticeships.”
Pinchotti asked several questions with respect to the Colmery Act, commonly known as the Forever GI Bill. To reiterate Worley’s answers, the new legislation:
Eliminates the 15-year time limit for those who left active duty on or after January 1, 2013 from a period of at least 90 days Restores lost benefits due to a school closure or disapproval Provides up to nine months of additional Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to eligible individuals who are enrolled in a program of education in a STEM field Allows Veterans who had eligibility under the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) and lost it due to the sunset of the program to have that service credited toward the Post-9/11 GI Bill Program
When the conversation ended, VA’s social
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