Education Post-9/11 GI Bill Letter and Forms

Yup, I am good on that. I was trying to figure out the implied (or not) extra value programs that the VA is willing to pay for is vs any old Philippine degree from any old Philippine University. Logic (haha) would suggest the VA would not pay for anything oversees that does not meet the same US based accreditation the VA uses for payment authorization in the States. Here is a quote from the VA Education website "GI Bill benefits may only be used at higher education institutions that are accredited by a federally recognized accreditor." http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/

fyi - I may have caused a little confusion as I was asking 2 questions for 2 different reasons. The Visa question was for if I wanted to take classes that I would pay for more or less for entertainment. The accredidation question was for the benefit of my wife who qualifies for VA education benefits based on my 100% P&T rating.

 

Although I do not have a basis of fact for what I am about to write, I have some thoughts on the accreditation issue.

1. Some folks will not be returning to the US to work - perhaps they are educating in their host nation for eventual employment in that nation. So having US accreditation is not needed.

2. Many US employers who are "picky", will often state in their job postings that the applicant have a degree that IS US accredited. The thought is that they wish to avoid/weed out the "diploma mill" applicants.

3. In the many countries where there is a US "satellite" school location, that nation's university degrees are often accepted as valid in the US. BUT (big caveat) if the graduate of the foreign school should ever want to apply for a US Gov't job and work in the US, then getting a local degree is iffy at best as it may not be US accredited. Having a US accredited degree is always of better value if the graduate should ever wish to return to the States for employment.

I have run into a few foreign nationals (non-Europeans) who had degrees from their home country, but still had to get US education when they arrived to the States as their degree simply did not carry enough weight for the hiring process.

As I understand the GI Bill, you need to declare a major and have intent to complete coursework that falls into accomplishing that degree of declaration. The underwater basket weaving class won't cut it unless it can fall into an approved elective. But I do know that if a person majored in archeology, then in some cases, taking a class in scuba diving and getting certified in it can possibly count as long as it is offered as credit by that school and fits into your degree. Some archeologists have to do work in an underwater environment from time to time..... Marine biologists, too. I know this because my Son took a scuba class at his school in the US and it got approved.

The WEAMS website lists the schools around the world that are VA/GI Bill approved. But you need to see what degree programs are approved at that foreign school as not all degree programs are approved. The WEAMS website will tell you this, too.

And as I posted above, there are several US satellite locations in foreign countries that offer a dually accredited degrees. An example is Touro College (New York City) with their satellite location in Berlin, Germany. And the crazy thing about this Touro College location in Germany is that they pay the New York City monthly housing allowance if you attend their school in Berlin.

Over 3,669 US, tax-free dollars per month for your housing stipend - so 8 months of full-time school at Touro College - Berlin Campus = 29,352 tax free dollars to live there. And Berlin is one of the lowest cost big cities to live on in that Continent and awards a US accreditated degree, too.

You do not need to report your monthly housing allowance on your Federal tax return, either.

The University of Guam pays 2,450 per month X 8 months full time study = 19,600. There are good hospitals there, your Tricare works there, Medicare works there, and the VA has a small footprint (clinic), so I'm assuming the VA will grant a 100% P&T Vet the Veterans Choice Health care package for locally paid health care treatment, meds, etc. In other words, very little out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatment and care. Cost of living is higher there, but a Vet with a military retiree ID card can access the bases on Guam for food, clothes, gasoline, Space A Travel, and all the rest of that stuff.

V/R,
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