Why hasn't the Army given me my Army College Fund and GI BILL?
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Dude it's the system. That's how it works for everyone for your first claim. You WILL get your money, but yes it takes serveral months. Go talk to your college VA rep at your college and keep up with the VA by calling the 800 number, but you will be fine and you will get your money. Stop crying about it and realize you are not the center of the VA universe and you will get paid just like everyone else, but it does take months for everyone not just you.
My advice is to contact your district representative (today!) in the House of Representatives, and both of your state senators. They all have veterans representatives. I had a similar issue, and they helped me resolve it, albeit not quickly, but I received all due back pay and benefits.
You know from being in the military the drill is to hurry up and wait. Keep calling the VA until you get what you are due. I don't think you can sue, and not many lawyers are willing to go up against the government in cases like this.
I had the same thing happen to me. I was honorably discharged several years ago and never got any of my money back that I put into it or the GI Bill.
They told me I wasn't in service long enough. Well I'd still like my $1200 back.
FTA
Welcome to the V.A. first of all they will pay up but it will take a long time. (Remember...Hurry up and wait) It took me 9 months to get my first education check from the V.A. and that is normal. Then when you start a new year it will take another 6 to 9 months to get another paycheck. That's just the way it is.
I never once had a problem with ACF/GIBill. If you are having a problem then it is with the VA office on campus. That office is where everything gets verified and submitted. Go in to the office, don't call. Stand there until they address the issue. I never waited more than 6 weeks for my check and that was before direct deposit started.
I was able to draw the GI Bill again when I went to the police academy and it started within 4 weeks there too.
It took me at least that long before I received my first check. They will pay but two things affect it:
1. The school VA rep processed the paperwork without errors.
2. The data entry person at the VA is on the ball.
lastly, you'll get your money but the government is slow. Once you're in the system you'll get the money deposited into your account on time.
Is the GI Bill actually in your contract? I ask because a lot of people are promised things but the don't get entered into the contract.
Maybe try to calll your unit and ask what's going on. Hopefully they will help because they know you, and they probably should have an updated status on what's going on.
Does it have anything to do with you have reached the time limit of your education benefits? I think you need to use the GI Bill within 10 years of signing up. Other than that the military is notoriously slow. Don't give up until you get an answer.
Okay, first thing, don't listen to the people on this thread. The GI Bill is not a "hurry up and wait" thing...you should have started receiving your benefit soon after enrolling, provided that the paperwork was properly processed, and that you are enrolled in an insitution of learning that meets the qualifications.
In my experience of talking to and working with Soldiers there are usually two problems..
1. Your school does not meet the criteria standard (has to be an accredited college/university/vocational-... school
2. Your paperwork was filed wrong
Does your school have a veterans liason or someone in the financial aid office that can help you? I went to two universities after I got off active, and each one had someone to help me with the paperwork, and my checks started arriving shortly after sending it in.
The best advice that you have received so far is to contact the office of your representative in the House of Representatives. My roommate had a problem similar to yours, and his representative had the thing fixed in about 2 days. My roommate wasn't even a republican, but he got helped out anyway. :)
Good luck. This is your entitlement...make sure that you get it.
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