Delayed GI Bill Funds Causing Problems For Veterans.

This issue is much larger than what is reported in this article. I have lost two semesters due to the VA not paying the tuition on time causing me to lose my place in my classes. They also have been late so many times with the living expenses that I finally gave up am no longer enrolled in school. We only had one VA represenative at our college and this person was rarely available and was not helpfull to those who need it. I was not the only veteran at this school having these problems either. It's pretty pathetic that this stuff is supposed to be there to help us better ourselves but when it comes time to give it up they are just screwing us over again and again. And with all the budget cuts going on I believe this problem will only worsen.

www.marinecorpstimes.com...

The Veterans Affairs Department says it has hit a “bump in the road” in processing GI Bill benefits claims. Affected student veterans are calling it missing rent money.

VA’s Buffalo, N.Y., regional office that processes claims for East Coast colleges and universities is up to seven weeks behind, meaning that schools are late receiving tuition and fee payments and students are left empty-handed if they are expecting a monthly living stipend.

VA did not respond to questions about the Buffalo problem submitted by Military Times. Instead, days after inquiries were made about GI Bill claims problems reported by readers, a statement from the VA’s education service chief director was posted on VA’s official blog, VAntage Point.

So, are there any other veterans on here who have had simaler issues?

This is still going on?? I have friends who waited for their "signing bonus" and tuition payments for way longer than they were told. Seemed like a scam to me being an outsider to the military propaganda.

Are any of you surprised though? Can you imagine the 2 clerks in that Washington office that have to process all those claims? You'd think with all that funding that more clerks could be hired to expedite the processing of claims faster. Maybe I'm just being optimistic.

reply to post by usmc0311


Hmmm... The only issue I have had was the VA not refunding my money for a Calc III course. I just took a physics course and I got that back faster than expected (I had to pay out of pocket and got re-reimbursed).

Originally posted by JibbyJedi
Can you imagine the 2 clerks in that Washington office that have to process all those claims? You'd think with all that funding that more clerks could be hired to expedite the processing of claims faster. Maybe I'm just being optimistic.

edit on 9-3-2012 by JibbyJedi because: (no reason given)

Actually I can imagine that. I was a Unit Administrator for a Reserve unit, responsible for 120+ guys pay, medical, training/schools, logistics and the maintenance of vehicles. Sometimes we had guys to do those jobs, but more often than not it fell to me.

Luckily for the Joes in my unit I was a workaholic and actually enjoyed my job, at least until that last year and a half when I was trying to retire. They still call for advice.

There are actually a bunch of people who do put their nose to the grindstone; however they are usually at the lower levels. Once the paperwork is filled it often gets lost in the maelstrom of bureaucracy. I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to try and take care of a person…for the umpteenth time.

Its a shame. The biggest selling point for many people joining the military is having their education paid for. Many wouldn't put their lives on the line to oppress people on the other side of the world for our corporate masters otherwise.

Then, after risking their lives for imperialism, the military breaks its promise and causes delays in funding such that it becomes impossible for the vets to get the education they were promised.

Maybe if the word gets out and kids start learning that the military doesn't keep its promises, people will stop joining the military and this country will be forced to end all of its stupid wars.

reply to post by TDawgRex

I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to try and take care of a person…for the umpteenth time.

Don't even try, I understand what you're saying. Thank gods for those of you who did care, and worked as hard as you could for those people. The problem is that there aren't enough of people like you out there doing this job efficiently as possible, most likely because of reasons beyond their control.

These people plan their lives around this money, and when it isn't there, it's devastating to their lives and plans. This really sucks.

reply to post by FortAnthem


A enlistment contract is similar to any other contract. You have to pay attention to the fine print. I can tell you many stories where the Soldier actually screwed themselves, per the contract they signed. But they will tell you otherwise.

And all to often, when the recruits don't ask questions, the recruiters don't offer any answers. Most of the recruiters I have known actually shuffle the "I wanna experience Combat." types into the maintenance or some such field. But flakes do get through.

All too often when a Soldier is screwed over, it is because he/she didn't read the fine print. (Actually it is the same font as the rest of the contract)

To be truthful, that is not the militaries problem...but the Soldiers.

Would you buy a house without reading the loan paperwork thrice and asking questions?

The problem is the bureaucratic labyrinth that now exists today. There are too many fingers in the pie nowadays and many are looking for any reason to deny a VA claim or GI Bill application. They think they are “Just doing their job.”

I’m all about vetting were the taxpayers money is going to prevent fraud…but the higher you go in The VA, the more the air stinks.