GI Bill- Use it or Lose it

Most servicemembers and veterans are aware that the GI Bill must be used within 10 years of their release from active duty, however each year thousands of veteran’s lose their GI Bill benefits due to time running out. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, nearly 30 percent of eligible veterans are unable to use any of their education benefits and most eligible veterans are only able to access a small portion of their GI Bill before the 10-year limit is reached.

In a recent survey, Military.com asked its veteran members why they had not used their GI Bill. Over 40 percent cited a lack of time. One veteran wrote, “I have a family and cannot afford to spend the time at the moment.” Another member stated, “Got married, had children, and just worked to pay bills.” And yet another offered, “I needed to earn a living, couldn’t fit education in.”

Yes, life does come at you fast and before you know it 10 years have come and gone. For most veterans the first years after leaving the service are filled with finding new jobs, getting married, having kids, and simply not having enough time – for most it seems that life gets in the way. But it doesn’t have to be that way; you can beat the time factor. It takes determination and the proper use of the non-traditional and distance learning programs offered by most colleges and universities.

The good news is that if you were released from active duty in the last seven years, you still have time to use the GI Bill before you lose it. Here are four “non-traditional” education programs to help you fit education into your busy life:

• Online courses
• Video or correspondence courses
• The College Level Evaluation Program (CLEP).
• College credit for military experience and Training

The following table gives a quick guide to the benefits associated with each program: 
           

Program	Cost	Self- paced	Dead- lines	Teacher Interaction	Flexible Class Hours	Text Books or Study Guides
Online Courses	Yes*	**	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Video or Correspondence	Yes*	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
CLEP	Yes*	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
College Credit for Military Experience	No	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

*Covered by the MGIB
** Depends on the school and course.

Online Courses (Distance Learning)

Online courses follow the same format as traditional college courses, with a professor, textbooks, homework, exams, etc. However online courses have a much higher degree of flexibility and usually use a combination of message boards, e-mail, chat rooms, CD-ROMs and textbooks. In a typical online course the professor will post weekly reading assignments, study questions and schedule a group online chat time. The student must post answers to the study questions and respond to at least one other student’s postings by the end of that week. Online courses typically have weekly deadlines, however your daily/weekly study schedule is completely up to you. At the end of the course or module the student will have a final exam for lower level courses or written essay requirement for upper level courses.

Click here for more information on the "online option".

Video and Correspondence Courses (Distance Learning)

Many schools offer video and correspondence courses. These courses are normally self-paced, offer a great deal of flexibility and usually have generous deadlines for taking the exams. You simple watch video taped courses take notes and use the study guides at your own pace, and you take exams when your ready. You can contact these schools directly using the Military.com School Finder.

Click here for more information on your distance learning options.

CLEP

Unlike taking a distance learning college course, the CLEP is purely self-paced and 100% flexible with no deadlines or class enrollment required. Simply choose the subject test, and study media you prefer (videos, textbooks, or study guides). YOU determine when you’re ready to take the examinations and contact the local National Test Center to order the test and set a date.

Veterans can claim reimbursement for CLEP exams and exam administration fees under provisions of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2004. Check out the CLEP Opportunities for Veterans article for more information on eligibility and VA CLEP reimbursement submitting a claim.

College Credit for Military Experience

Thanks the American Council on Education (ACE) you can take academic credit for most of the training you have received, including Basic Training.

Considering a typical college course can take up to 6 hours a week for 5 months. Applying your ACE credits will save you that time and best of all using ACE credits costs you nothing; you’ve already earned them!

Click here for more information on how to take advantage of academic credit for military service.

Your time is valuable, and like any worthwhile goal, so is getting your degree. Although earning a degree will take sacrifice and commitment, your military service has given many options for reducing the time and money it would take civilians without military service. Don't be one of the thousands who look back and say they didn't have enough time, use your benefits before its too late.

Learn more - use the Military.com School Finder to contact a fully accredited school that can help you beat the time factor by meeting your need for flexibility and affordability.

About Terry Howell

A Retired Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer, Terry completed his BS in Management and Communications using a combination of CLEP exams, credit for military service, and distance learning while on active-duty. Terry now serves as Managing Editor for the Education Channel at Military.com.

Terry Howell Article Archives