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Discussion: H.R. 950, To amend chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, to increase educational assistance for certain veterans pursuing a program of education offered through distance learning (28 comments ↓ | 3 wiki edits)
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Visitor Comments
Jared
February 20, 2009, 12:47am (report abuse)Seeing as there are no comments on this bill at the moment, here is a brief synapsis of what it covers. This bill will afford veterans that choose to attend college at a full-time rate over online courses or through another distance learning program the same BAH afforded to those that drive to location. In my opinion, why wouldn't a person spending the same amount of time and money on college courses be receiving BAH? Just because you are taking college courses online, it doesn't make them free and it also doesn't mean you get to stop paying your rent and bills. What of the veterans that are actually physically unable to attend?
Bina C.
February 23, 2009, 1:06pm (report abuse)I agree. Whether you're physically there or not should not be a factor in whether you receive BAH or not. I have three children, one of which is a newborn. I don't have the money or the time to go to a school physically. I can however, take time out to do online classes, since it's at my discretion. The BAH would really help to offset costs.
Thelonious Carter
February 23, 2009, 1:11pm (report abuse)I have served active duty for ten years and am now a member of the air national guard. I attend the University of Phoenix as a full time student. I would not have time in my very busy day to attend a university physically, but I do not think it is any less work or any less demanding. I was excited to hear there would be a new GI bill that would pay full tuition, but disappointed to hear the monthly stipend would only be available to students attending a campus physically. I am among many military members who attend school online and deserve the same benefits as a military member attending school physically. I would like to point out members who are overseas and have even less of a choice then I do about what kind of school they can attend. I think the benefits should be equal across the board no matter the individual’s circumstances. I am very much in support of this bill.
Jeff N.
February 25, 2009, 10:02am (report abuse)I was in the USAF for 7 years and am now going to school through Ashford University online. I am very excited about this bill. I agree that if we are putting the same ammount of time and effort into our education, then there is no reason we should not get the same benefits, regardless of how or where we go to school. However, Jared said that you have to be going to school full time, and I believe that is incorrect. I believe you only have to go to school greater than half-time. I am considered a 3/4 time student and I should still get the benefits if this bill passes.
Krystle D.
February 26, 2009, 11:14pm (report abuse)I am currently living in the south and have to go to school online because there aren't any programs locally that I am interested in. I support this bill very much and I truly hope congress makes this bill go quickly through committees to be signed into law by the president. Online learning can be more difficult learning, because the student has to actually plan the time for it. 100% support it, and I'm really glad someone introduced it. Now lets hope and pray it gets through congress.
Erich
February 27, 2009, 9:50am (report abuse)I served for more than 6 years and am one who utilizes on line classes in pursuit of my degree with DeVry University (since Jan 2008) via VA educational benefits and financial aid. The flexibility of accredited online degree programs benefit all who cannot attend a traditional college or university for whatever reasons. Not all military veterans educational benefits are the same. Mine are above average however, I know of others who did not get extra incentives in their initial military contracts or who did not invest in the additional kicker for MGIB chapter 30. Approving this addendum would greatly honor all who have served their country honorably giving them more flexible options without being penalized based on geographical location.
Kevin
March 3, 2009, 1:15pm (report abuse)I served for 6 years. My current job requires me to travel a great deal. The only way I can go to school is to go online. I really hope this passes as i feel that I should not receive the same benefits because of my job.
PASS H.R. 950
March 4, 2009, 8:10pm (report abuse)I retired after 20 years of active duty in the Marine Corps and did not any college while I was in, having the opportunity to now afford college and have a choice of going online and getting the same stipend for housing would be great. PLEASE PASS H.R. 950 !!!
James
March 7, 2009, 11:57am (report abuse)I served 9 years active duty in the CG and now want to take advantage of the post 9/11 GI bill. I want to take a course that is only offered online. The housing stipend would help tremendously in this uncertain economy. Some Veterans that work, go to school, and have a family have trouble making time to go to school on campus.
p.j.
March 8, 2009, 8:17pm (report abuse)If this bill passes, I will be able to attend AMU/APUS and pursue a degree in intelligence. If it doesnt, I will not waste my time or the governments money persuring a degree that I have no intrest in.
Rebbecca
March 17, 2009, 9:37am (report abuse)As P.J above I will also be able to attend AMU to pursue my degree in Intelligence Collection. This Bill would make it a possiblity.
Tara
March 24, 2009, 6:22pm (report abuse)Not only am I a veteran, my husband is still on active duty. We have 3 small children and live in a very rural area the nearest college is a community college, so to go any further than an associates requires me to drive over an hour to school, pay $20 tolls, attend classes, and drive back. Really hard to accomplish when I can't leave home until 7:35 and have to be back by 3:10 to get my soon to be kindergardener off the bus. Distance learning is the only way this vet will be able to get my degree and still have any time for my children.3 hours driving takes away a lot of homework time. I've been out for 4 years now and finally applied to a college because of the new GI bill, then found out I won't get the same benefits because I can't go to campus. I guess this is another time when families stationed in the middle of nowhere aren't as important as others. Don't get me started on our healthcare here. Pass HR 950 so we can reach our educational goals. It will benefit all.
doug
April 9, 2009, 8:10pm (report abuse)When is this bill going to be voted on? what is the status?
Jeff N.
April 21, 2009, 9:08am (report abuse)Doug,
The Senate was supposed to meet yesterday (20 Apr.), and the House meets today (21 Apr.)to discuss the bill. At to when they will vote on it...I don't know. Hopefully before August 1.
Steve S.
May 11, 2009, 3:56pm (report abuse)Does anyone have any new udpdates on this???
Travis Barnes
May 27, 2009, 6:44pm (report abuse)I fail to see how online schoolers are being neglected. I am taking online schooling, full time, for the following reasons:
1. I am able to study better and process information on my own better by myself.
2. The degree that I want, Homeland Security, is not offered at many campuses nation wide and is more popular in online degree programs.
3. The interaction between students and teachers is much better. People tend to blog and discuss much more online than I ever saw in the classroom and they tend to have better arguments ( indicating that they are actually researching the material).
Most people are going through accredited online schools to fit their schedule, way of learning or what they want to study. Online learning is just as difficult and sometimes less flexible ( my school is 12 months consecutive, no breaks).There has to be a way to make the BAH work. Many going to school I know, are living at home collecting BAH.
david pillman
May 31, 2009, 7:35am (report abuse)The VA needs to move up to the 21st century. Distance Learning carries the same weight as in residence classes in terms of cost and credits earned. It allows more folks the chance to go to college. Why punish veterans who sacrificed so much merely because the want to afford themselves to access this wonderful method of taking college classes? Pass HR 950 and award BAH to veterans based upon the zip code of the college they are enrolled at.
Rick Carey, USN Retired
June 1, 2009, 7:28pm (report abuse)After spending 20+ years in the Navy I finally have a chance to pursue my MBA. Since I am a full time federal employee attending a brick and mortar facility is pretty much out of the question. I have been able to take 10 graduate credits per term via the UWW Online MBA program. It would take me 5 or more years to do this if I had to attend in person. IT IS TRULY A DISSERVICE TO OUR VETERANS TO NOT PAY THE BAH STIPEND FOR DISTANCE LEARNING.
PASS HR 950!
Dave-O
June 2, 2009, 12:05pm (report abuse)I am currently attending 3/4 time in an online program and feel as though I should receive the same benefits as those that "physically" go to a classroom. As I stated in a letter to my state senator, online classes can be just as much, if not more work than a traditional setting I feel as though there may be some kinks to work out like the amount being based on where your school is located. In my case the area I live in has a significantly higher cost of living than where my school is located. The bottom line is, we as veterans have given our life and just because we choose to go to online classes shouldnt mean we should suffer and go into debt because we cannot receive a housing allowance like the others. I mean lets be honest, how many people can just quit their day jobs and go to school full time at a campus? My area doesnt even offer the degree program so I had to enrol in a distant learning program. I still spend 15-20 hrs on schoolwork, its just at a time thats convenient for me.
dave-o
June 2, 2009, 12:15pm (report abuse)Does anyone know when they are supposed to decide on this bill HR 950? The last i can see is it was refered to the House of Veterans Affairs. Hasnt even been voted on by the house yet. They better get moving if they hope to have this wrapped up by the August 1 start date, although this may be unlikely...
Rob
(logged in user) June 2, 2009, 2:54pm (report abuse)I read the transcripts from the subcommittee hearings. Some positive things were said and it was recommended by many panel members, but the VFW and VA panel members said they could not recommend it. As far as the next step goes I'm not sure, it's been awhile since the last subcommittee hearings. I hope it passes otherwise it's going to take me three times longer to complete my degree.
Steve S.
June 18, 2009, 4:47pm (report abuse)Won't the lack of support from the VA and VFW severly hurt it's chances? Interested to hear anyone's thoughts.
Mikk
June 25, 2009, 11:30am (report abuse)Time is beginning to run out. School starts back in August since I have taken the summer semester off. I have to choose before school starts back which one I will use. If I decide to actually attend one class to receive it then it will create a conflict if the company I work for needs me to travel for work. What are these people waiting on?
matt
July 9, 2009, 12:32pm (report abuse)i wonder whats going on. I noticed it keeps getting cosponsors
Jessica
July 10, 2009, 6:48pm (report abuse)The whole new program is seeming more like a nice thing for someone to say they "did" for vets. After 17 years of honorable service I should be have the same benefits as the next vet, I hope everyone keeps exposing the reality of this. Sonds like a great deal until you actually try to study what you want to where you want to. Everything I want to study is in another state so online is my only option. Do I settle? Do I study what I choose and miss out on the BAH? Politicians do you have to decide on your giving up your freeom, or your right to set your own pay raises? No, you were voted in so you feel you have earned those rights. Well so did we. Put our tax dollars where your mouths are.
Rod
August 28, 2009, 4:50am (report abuse)I am four time OIF/OEF veteran and intend on getting out next year. About 80 credits are already invested in an online school and I suppose I will have to try to work full time at wal-mart while attending school online full time the way it is now.
James
September 28, 2009, 8:52am (report abuse)This seems to be the same across the board. 8 years Air Force for me, we have 3 young sons, one is disabled, I HAVE to work a full time job, there is no other option, and it's not that i mind doing that, but currently I'm going into debt for the education I earned serving my country. I really want to see this pass. The degree I'm pursuing isn't even offered anywhere near where we live. I will say, and someone correct me if I'm wrong please. I don't understand the bill as it stands. From what I've read, currently it would pay BAH for the zip code that the SCHOOL is located, not your actual residence. This makes no sense to me. My school is in Tempe AZ and the BAH there is much higher than the little town we live in in N. Texas. Pay that tuition, pay BAH for my zip code and I'm a happy camper, and no longer going into debt for that education I joined up for in the first. place.
Liam Athias Babington
November 8, 2009, 5:01pm (report abuse)The essence of service, which is rendered by any veteran should be honored by the ones whom WE elected. the Representatives in Congress should be reminded of this. THEY are the ones whom we should be pressed into supporting Hr bill 950. Call and write your Congressman and Senator. WE the people hired them...THE WORK FOR U.S. I am a Air Force Vet... and believe in the power of the vote. Become an activist on this issue. Human life has value...YOU have value. the Service you rendered has value!! More than any speech, protest, or any other median can conjure. WE and our spouses held the line against a darkness, when others did not act. The passing of this bill WILL be a testament to OUR service WE rendered, as some of us still do! and yea...ABOVE ALL!!!