To:      AASCU Presidents and Chancellors
From:  Ed Elmendorf, Sr. Vice President of Government Relations and Policy Analysis
           Lesley McBain, Senior Research and Policy Analyst
Re:      Status of payment of Veterans benefits
Date:   October 7, 2009

UPDATE
** To review the previous advisory sent by AASCU, please click here. **

The Veterans Administration (VA) has announced one-time advance payment application procedures to assist veteran students who have already applied for educational benefits but who have not yet received their monthly payment for the Fall 2009 academic term.

At present, VA has received 277,403 claims for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and has 72,329 claims pending. According to the VA, it currently takes an average of approximately 35 days to process a Post-9/11 GI Bill claim; processing time for all educational benefits increases every September and October due to fall enrollment spikes.

As of October 2, 2009, veteran students can either go to a regional VA office with a government-issued photo ID and proof of enrollment (class schedule, enrollment verification letter, etc.) to sign for the checks, or apply online at https://advancepay.gibill.va.gov/.

It is important to note that these payments are one-time advances on funds, not new awards, and will be deducted from future education benefits. If a veteran student receives an advance payment and either stops attending school or drops enough classes so that her or his benefit is affected, the veteran student may have to repay the advance to VA.

Maximum advance payment amounts per program are as follows:

Post-9/11 GI Bill: $3,000
Montgomery GI Bill—Active Duty: $3,000
Montgomery GI Bill—Selected Reserve: $1,000
Reserve Education Assistance Program: $2,000
Post Vietnam Era Educational Assistance Programs: $1,000

Payments that are not received at a regional VA office will be made in the form of a U.S. Treasury check and mailed to the veteran student. The VA has stated that payments will be issued within 3 workdays (Monday – Friday) following the submission of a payment request but that veteran students should add an additional 3 days’ time to allow the U.S. Postal Service to deliver the check (not counting Sundays).

More information and a list of regional VA offices is available at http://www.gibill.va.gov/ .