Joe Wallace

Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.

In-State Tuition Versus Out-of-State Tuition Under the GI Bill

There are many ways to use military benefits to pay for higher education. You may attend school using the GI Bill, Veteran Readiness and Employment, and in some cases, the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) and qualify for in-state tuition rates even if you live out of state at school selection time. In-state tuition…

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GI Bill for Reserve and National Guard Members

Is the GI Bill offered to members of the National Guard and the Reserve? Qualifying for the GI Bill means serving a minimum time in uniform. If you meet those requirements, depending on when you joined and the type of military service you performed, you may qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill or the Post-9/11…

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How much GI Bill do I have left

How Much GI Bill Do I Have Left?

If you have never used your GI Bill benefits before, you won’t need to ask how much GI Bill you have left, but those who have used the GI Bill and are starting a new semester need to know how much of the benefit remains. In some cases, they may also need to know how…

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Which GI Bill is best

Which GI Bill Is Better?

Which GI Bill is better? There is no single answer to this question as much depends on the student’s needs, circumstances, and educational goals. It’s better to compare GI Bill programs and options side-by-side to see which features are most important. Learn more.

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when did the GI Bill start

When did the GI Bill Start?

When did the GI Bill start? Believe it or not, the GI Bill we know today is the product of a long and winding history, starting with the very first version of the program known as the GI Bill of Rights, signed into law on June 22, 1944. The Very First GI BIll The original…

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top up GI Bill

Can I Top Up the GI Bill?

Is it possible to top up the GI Bill? There are multiple types of military education benefits. While the Department of Veterans Affairs offers the GI Bill, other options exist, including the Yellow Ribbon program, John D. Fry Scholarships, and Tuition Assistance programs. And depending on the program, there are also options to “top up”…

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Using eBenefits to Manage Your GI Bill

Can you use eBenefits to manage your GI Bill? This VA/DoD partnership has changed over the years, but eBenefits is still an important resource for those who can use the portal. We’ll examine its GI Bill features below. A Brief History of eBenefits In 2007, the President’s Commission on Care for Returning Wounded Warriors recommended…

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A career in technical fields can be assisted with the GI Bill extension known as the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM scholarship

GI Bill Extension: The Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

If you are pursuing higher education in an in-demand technical field, you may qualify for an extension of your federal military education benefits thanks to a program called the Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship. Technically speaking, this isn’t so much an extension of the GI Bill as it is a program meant to enhance it.

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Can I use the GI Bill to buy a home?

Can I Use the GI Bill to Buy a House?

Is it possible to use the GI Bill to buy a house? This is a common question about GI Bill benefits, and the answer confuses some…at first. The short answer is no; you typically cannot use the GI Bill to purchase a home. But why not, and what program can you use to buy a home instead of the GI Bill?

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Does the GI Bill expire?

When Does the GI Bill Expire?

One of the most frequently asked questions about the GI Bill is how much time you have to use it. How long until the GI Bill expires? Is it possible to lose your GI Bill benefit? The answer depends greatly on which GI Bill program you are using and when you signed up, as we’ll explore. Read more.

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You might wonder if you owe taxes on your GI Bill

Do I Owe Taxes on the GI Bill?

If you plan to go to college using GI Bill benefits, you might wonder if the GI Bill is taxable. Examining the tax implications of your student financial aid is essential, especially if you hope to claim federal tax credits for your education expenses. The article below is not tax advice; consider this a primer for your own tax research or when discussing your VA benefits with a tax professional. Learn more.

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Military can use American Forces Travel to save money

Veterans Travel Discounts from American Forces Travel

If you have never used American Forces Travel, you’ll find a variety of discounts, special rates, and other options for military members and their families. These official military travel discounts are available thanks to a partnership between the DoD’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation MWR department and the commercial travel company Priceline.The Department of Defense describes American Forces Travel is a one-stop travel booking site for servicemembers and their families.

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GI Bill status check

GI Bill Status: How to Check

Do you need to check the status of your application for the Post-9/11 GI Bill? There are ways to check the status of your application, and how you can do that may depend on your status as an active duty service member, veteran, military spouse or school-age dependent. Learn more.

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GI Bill After Failing a Class

In cases where you receive the GI Bill and are failing a class, you may wonder if you have to repay the VA for getting a “punitive” grade. Did you know that failing a class is, according to VA.gov, still considered academic progress? Learn more.

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Gi Bill Book Stipend

GI Bill Book Stipend

Is there a GI Bill book stipend for your program? If you plan to use your GI Bill benefits, you’ll want to know how much of your total school expenses might be covered by those benefits. Books and supplies are an important part of those calculations. Read more.

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Which GI Bill do I have?

Which GI Bill Do I Have?

A very common question for some beginning the journey toward higher education is, “What GI Bill do I have?” If you are a veteran, eligible family, an active duty service member, a Reservist, or a National Guard member, you may qualify for one or more VA benefits under the GI Bill. The first step is knowing which program you are in and how to check your GI Bill status.

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How to activate your GI Bill

How to Activate the GI Bill

One of the most common questions about the GI Bill? Many newcomers to the program want to know how to activate the GI Bill; is the benefit automatic? When can you start using it? We answer those questions and more.

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Is the GI Bill taxable?

Is the GI Bill Considered Income?

Is the GI Bill considered income? There are multiple reasons to ask this question, including whether or not you should expect to be taxed on the GI Bill and whether or not it can be considered income to apply for a VA home loan or other lines of credit.

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Post 9/11 GI Bill

Post 9/11 GI Bill Guide For Spouses and Dependents

The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a military education benefit dependents and spouses can have transferred to them by an active duty parent or spouse to use to get a college degree, certification, or license through an approved program. How can spouses and college-age dependents (military-speak for the children of the military member) access this…

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GI Bill military

Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers an education benefit to veterans called VEAP. the Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program. Qualifying veterans may be eligible for a 2-to-1 matching contribution from the government for education benefits. This program offers money for tuition and certain fees for VA-approved programs. Depending on the amount of the student’s VEAP contributions,…

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STEM scholarship

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

The Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship is an option for qualifying veterans and dependent family members who are also eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill or the Fry Scholarship. This is a Department of Veterans Affairs education benefit offering up to nine months or $30 thousand in benefits related to…

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GI Bill

Post 9/11 GI Bill Application Guide for Active Duty & Veterans

Active Duty & Veterans’ Post 9/11 GI Bill Application Guide The Post 9/11 GI Bill is one of the most important military benefits you can earn. This guide includes step-by-step instructions on how to fill out the application form and submit it to claim your Post 9.11 GI Bill benefits. This is not a guide…

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Military Education

VA Form 22-5490 Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits Step-By-Step Guide

This is a step-by-step guide to filling out VA Form 22-5490, Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits. This is the form required for both dependents and spouses to apply for Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA) or the Chapter 33 Fry Scholarship. Read More: Survivors and Dependents’ VA Education Benefits Read More: The…

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