Education is an important element in today’s military, and the Marine Corps is doing what it can to send its active and veteran members to school.
As a Marine, deciding on a plan to take college classes depends on whether you are active duty, reserve or prior service, along with the type of courses you want to attend such as an online program or at a campus.
Service members have two types of GI bills to choose from. Although most Marines applied for the Montgomery GI Bill when they enlisted, they are permitted to switch if the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which may better suit their needs, said Susan McIntosh, an education services officer at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.
McIntosh said that one type of bill isn’t necessarily better than the other but choosing one depends on when, where and how service members use it. If students use the bills correctly, they won’t have to pay a penny for a college degree.
“The GI bills are an awesome benefit. They pay the highest undergraduate in-state tuition and fees in the state the service member is attending college, plus basic allowance for housing for an E-5 with dependents,” said McIntosh, referring to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The bill will also pay up to $1,000 a month for books.
Professor John Nolan answers questions during an education brief given to Marines in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
The Montgomery GI Bill would be a better plan for part-time students because the money goes straight to the service member, McIntosh said. If the service member is taking classes that cost less than $1,368 a semester, they will be able to keep the difference.
Although switching bills is a good option, service members must be careful when they make the change, she added. Once a service member converts from the Montgomery GI Bill to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, they can’t shift back.
“My recommendation is to go to a Lifelong Learning Education Center before making the switch and talk with a counselor,” McIntosh said. This way, members are not making an uneducated decision that they may regret later.
Education and career specialists can help Marines with just about anything concerning the benefits that can be used for school. The specialists make the benefit selection quick and painless.
“It’s easy to make the switch,” said Marine veteran Irma Fernandez, supply tech at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. “I just filled out the application and sent it to the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
In order to get the full benefits of the bills, service members must serve at least 36 consecutive months of active duty. Also, to get BAH, service members must be attending at least one class in a classroom, said retired Master Sgt. Decarlous Reid. Reid is currently using the Post 9/11 GI Bill to obtain a college degree.
To find more information on the GI Bill and determine who is eligible for benefits, visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/