VA Chapter 33 Frequently Asked Questions - Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Question about the Post – 9/11 GI Bill® (CH33)

You may be eligible if you served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after September 10, 2001, and you are still on active duty or were honorably discharged.

You may also be eligible if you were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001.

Detailed eligibility criteria and service requirements are available at:
https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/

On line applications for CH33 can be submitted at:
https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/apply.asp

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

2. If I am eligible for CH33 benefits and other VA education programs, which should I select?

If, on August 1, 2009, you are eligible for other VA education benefit programs, and you qualify for CH33, you may make an irrevocable election to receive benefits under CH33. Before making this irrevocable decision, please evaluate your best option by visiting:

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/handouts_forms.asp and
https://www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool

3. How much will I receive using CH33?

The amount of your benefits is prorated based on your total length of active duty service.
The percentage that will be applied to the maximum benefits can be determined from the following chart:

Total Active Duty Completed	Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable
At least 36 months	100%
At least 30 continuous days on active duty and must be discharged due to service-connected disability	100%
30 months to 36 months	90%
24 months to 30 months	80%
18 months to 24 months	70%
12 months to 18 months	60%
6 months to 12 months	50%
90 days to 6 months	40%

The percentage a CH33 recipient qualifies for will be applied to the following benefits:

Cost of Tuition and fees paid directly to Troy University
A monthly stipend (monetary allowance) paid directly to the student
A books and supplies stipend paid directly to the student

4. Is there a limit on the amount of tuition and fees the VA will pay under CH33?

Yes. The cost of tuition and fees cannot exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition in the state. Currently, the maximums for the state of Alabama are:

Tuition: $291.67 per credit hour
Fees: $13,328.00 per term

The most up-to-date state maximums can be found at:
https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp

PLEASE NOTE:

1. If you qualify for benefits at the 100% level, and your charges at Troy University exceed the maximums, please read FAQs #11 and #12 about Troy’s participation in the VA Yellow Ribbon Program.

2. The amount of your tuition and fees that the VA will send to Troy University will vary from 100% to 40% depending upon your length of active duty service (see the chart in FAQ # 3).

3. If you do not qualify for the 100% rate, and you do not have sufficient other financial aid at Troy University, you will be responsible for the difference in your tuition and fee charges. CH33 recipients at Troy University are automatically placed on the Troy Tuition Payment Plan when their CH33 benefits are at the less than 100% rate and they do not have sufficient other Troy University Financial Aid.

4. As with all VA Educational Benefit programs, CH33 recipients must be enrolled in courses that are core subjects and/or approved electives in their selected major. Courses that do not meet this requirement will not be certified for VA payment. The CH33 recipient will be responsible for tuition and fees for courses that are not required.

5. Will I receive the CH33 monthly allowance?

The monthly stipend is paid to CH33 recipients who are enrolled at more than halftime. This allowance is not payable to individuals on active duty or to those enrolled exclusively in distance learning. PLEASE NOTE: The hybrid courses (classroom/distance learning combined) taught at some Troy Campuses are considered distant learning by the VA.

6. I qualify for the CH33 monthly allowance. How much will I receive each month while attending Troy University?

The monthly allowance is equal to the DOD Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) payable to a military E-5, with dependents, for the zip code of the campus you are attending. Currently the housing allowances for the Alabama Troy campuses are:

Troy (Zip 36082) $806
Montgomery (Zip 36103) $1039
Dothan (Zip 36304) $919
Phenix City (Zip 36869) $1116

Housing allowances may change at least annually. The most up-to-date BAH can be found at:

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bah.cfm

PLEASE NOTE:

1. The amount of your monthly allowance will vary from 100% to 40% of the maximum depending upon your length of active duty service (see the chart in FAQ # 3).

2. Also, should you enroll in mini sessions, be extremely careful in planning your schedule and determining your VA training time. For example, even though mini sessions A and B both fall within a semester, the VA will no longer consider Session A in determining your training time once Session A ends at mid semester. By the same token, the VA will not consider Session B in determining your training time until the start date for Session B at mid semester. Please contact your VA Certifying Official if you are not sure your training time is more than half.

7. Will I qualify for the CH33 books and supplies stipend?

The books and supplies stipend is payable to CH33 students except those still serving on active duty.

8. I qualify for the CH33 books and supplies stipend. How much will I receive?

The books and supplies stipend is paid at the rate of $41.67 per credit hour (as of August 1, 2009). Payments are made directly to the student in a lump sum each semester, term, or session. The maximum payment per academic year is $1,000.

PLEASE NOTE:

1. The amount of your books and supplies allowance will vary from 100% to 40% of the maximum depending upon your length of active duty service (see the chart in FAQ # 3).

2. Also since the books and supplies stipend is paid directly to the individual, CH33 students will have to pay for their books and supplies at the time of the purchase unless they have sufficient other financial aid at Troy University.

9. How many months can I receive CH33 benefits?

Generally, you may receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the CH33 program.

10. How long am I eligible?

You will be eligible for benefits for 15 years from your last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days.

11. What is the Yellow Ribbon Program?

The GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (CH33). This program allows institutions of higher learning to enter voluntarily into an agreement with VA to fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the highest public in-state tuition rate. The school can contribute a specified dollar amount of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the school not to exceed 50%.

PLEASE NOTE: The Yellow Ribbon Program is only available to CH33 recipients whose benefits are at the 100% level (see chart in FAQ #3).

12. Does Troy University participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program?

Yes. Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Troy Chancellor, said: “Troy University has a long, distinguished record of supporting the United States military. Our participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program is a natural continuation of our commitment of service.”

You may visit the following VA website to determine the contribution amount for the various Troy University Campuses:

https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/yellow_ribbon.asp

13. Can I transfer my CH33 entitlement to my dependents?

If you are a member of the Armed Forces on August 1, 2009, the Department of Defense (DoD) may offer you the opportunity to transfer benefits to your spouse or dependent children. This benefit is known as the Transfer of Post-9/11 GI Bill® Benefits to Dependents (TEB).

Visit the following VA website for up-to-date information on TEB:

https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/post911_transfer.asp

Visit the official DoD website about TEB:

http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/

Visit the following VA website on how to apply for TEB:

https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/post911_transfer.asp

14. I am on active duty. Can I receive both Federal Tuition Assistance (TA) and CH33?

No. A student cannot receive Federal TA and CH33 for the same courses.

15. Under the Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB) I am eligible for a kicker (College Fund, Reserve Kicker). Will I receive the kicker if I select CH33?

Yes. The kicker will be paid monthly as an increase to the housing stipend. Although active duty members, individuals training at halftime or less, and Individuals pursuing only distance learning are not eligible for the monthly housing stipend they will receive a monthly kicker payment.

PLEASE NOTE: The $600 Buy-Up is not payable under CH33.

16. I contributed $1200 in order to qualify for the MGIB. If I select CH33, will I receive any kind of refund?

Individuals who relinquish their MGIB benefits and select CH33 are entitled to a proportional amount of the basic $1200 contribution provided they exhaust entitlement under CH33. This payment will be included with the last monthly housing allowance payment when CH33 entitlement is exhausted.