The new G.I. Bill, which will be implemented this summer, provides a housing stipend for traditional students. But, it doesn't give online learners the same benefit.
Inside Higher Ed. reports:
If a full-time student is learning through the internet, shouldn't he deserve the same benefits as a student learning in a classroom? Why should a veteran be punished, and possibly have to take on an additional job, just because he chooses distance learning?
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Inside Higher Ed. reports:
"Under the new GI Bill, which goes into effect in August, veterans who study entirely online will be eligible for generous tuition and book benefits. But they will be ineligible for a third benefit of the bill — a housing allowance that’s available to their peers attending brick and mortar institutions more than half-time. The amount of the housing allowance varies by location, but, on average, is valued at $1,250 per month.Some may make the argument that traditional students deserve the stipend because they must live near a brick-and-mortar campus. However, online learners need to live somewhere.
While lawmakers originally distinguished between online and in-person learners because of practical considerations — specifically, how to allocate housing allowances to veterans living far from their campuses — many point to inherent value judgments within the new GI Bill that favor a traditional, even transformative, college experience."
If a full-time student is learning through the internet, shouldn't he deserve the same benefits as a student learning in a classroom? Why should a veteran be punished, and possibly have to take on an additional job, just because he chooses distance learning?
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Comments
I understand and I dont understand and I believe they have modified this that if you are taking at least half time in the classroom you are eligible. I don’t think this is intended to be a relief for students/vets and it is intended to help build the economy at the same time. Two birds with one stone. However, those that do online schooling will be doing what? I am an online student and I think that it is just as hard to do both if not harder and I would appriciate being able to housing if I was to get out of the service however it seems like this program is to discourage working and in encourage people to go a more traditional route. I think that the traditional route is not fair however, I do understand because a lot of veterans have been in the service for a long time and I have to say I been in 6 years and it seems like I just don’t understand civilians. I think it is more for that reason to get veterans especially war veterans in an environment that will help them complete higher education, establish relationship with people which in turn helps with the pysci of the person. If we where allowed to go to online school the interacting is lost and the ability to network and function in our society would be a little hard. Just my thoughts.
I believe it is foul not to provide the housing stipend for on-line/distance learning. I have not had the luxury of homesteading at one assignment for years and many other service members have not been so lucky either. After ten years of service resulting in six assignments and almost twenty TDY’s I would be getting the snub for everything I have accomplished thus far. My constant moving has given me no choice but to go through Distance Learning for my education. My supervsiors inform me not to pursue face to face classes because the mission comes first and if I miss to many classes I will be forced to drop, fail due to lack of participation. Guess what? That money is out of pocket past a certain time. Why will my ten years of educational achievements be scrapped? The university I am attending does not offer a campuses across the globe. The Air Force has provided thousands of dollars in tution assistance for my education. It makes zero sense not too.
When I separated from the military in the beginning of 2008 I was almost finished with my Bachelor’s degree it did not make since at the time to transfer to a “traditional” school. I would have lost a substantial amount of credits. Therefore I stayed with my online school. While the GI Bill is nice and all I agree that it would be nice to be eligible for house allowance. I have a VA Home Loan, I have a mortgage to pay. I also have been unemployed since I separated from service even though I am and have been actively seeking employment and interviewing. I have not received any job offers. Thankfully my husband was able to find employment after he was medically discharged or we would have lost our home. He did have to give up going to school to work since there is more of a need in his job sector right now. We make it month by month in hopes that we can catch a break every now and again.
As a veteran, online student, and current recipient of the GI Bill, I think it makes sense not to give online students a housing stipend. When you go to school online, you can live literally anywhere and go to the online school of your choice. However, if you go to a brick and mortar school, you inevitably will have to choose a place to live that is within driving distance (even though that driving distance will vary) of your chosen school. The housing stipend helps to make choosing a place to live easier. If you need to move to be closer to your school of choice but cannot afford it because of the cost of living in the area, the housing stiped will help. While I would love to have some free money in my pocket, I find nothing wrong with them not giving me a housing stipend to pay for the place I choose to live. Let’s not get greedy and stop whining when we are not given free money that we aren’t really entitled to (regardless of any excuses to argue otherwise). We as veterans are already fighting for every dollar we deserve, lets not make it worse by whining for those we don’t.
It’s insane to deny the housing stipend to online students. Many veterans are too physically disabled to actually travel to-from a local college or university. Also, PTSD and traumatic brain injuries often make brick-and-mortar education exceedingly difficult to handle for veterans who deal with these issues.
I’m a member of Portland Community College’s Student Veterans Association, and we’re creating a “buddy system” for the many — MANY — GIs who have struggled with just getting from class to class. Lots of these joes would benefit from a distance curriculum while they attempt to integrate back into civilian life, but they can’t afford to not receive the housing stipend.
Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii is introducing legislation to extend the housing stipend to ALL veterans based on their home zip code. This is exciting for me, because I’ll be able to pursue advanced studies out-of-state, but for a lot of disabled GIs, it will enable them to access education, possibly for the first time ever. Write your senators and tell them to get on board!
there has been a bill stuck in congress for a while to change this, and allow BAH for online courses. you must notify your congressmen to put some heat on it. can’t remember the #, but find it & track it on govtrack.us
Wendy – you make NO SENSE!!! Saying that a Veteran in on-line school doesn’t DESERVE the housing allowance! So if the only school that offers the degree that I need is located on the East Coast and I live on the West Coast I don’t DESERVE the money that I earned getting my ASS blown up in Iraq – leaving me 100% disabled??? Because I can live ANYWHERE you say?? Get a clue!!!
The current policy is discriminatory and unjustified in every measure. Every post 9-11 memeber who qualifies has legitimate housing requirements, many have debilitating injuries, and each has EARNED the benfit. The current policy is misguided and favors brick and mortar insitutions for a host of political reasons and because online education is drastically changing education delivery methods and quality. In most instances, as demonstrated through research studies, with equal or better results than face-to-face B&M schools. Coincidently, the best format appears to be the hybrid structure.
Wendy,
You’re argument for not receiving a housing allowance is absurd and completely lacking of any sign of intelligence. Regardless of where one attends school they should be entitled to the same allowances as any other student. A student should be payed based upon where they live, end of story. The housing allowance is not free money. I spent eleven years in the military earning every cent that is entitled to me. I did this by spending time away from friends, family, and loved ones protecting this country. As a veteran it is a disgrace to have a fellow comrade such as yourself.
Brian
They have put their lives on the line for this country and deserve those benefits! Many are unemployed, disabled and have other problems associated with having been in a wartime situation! The housing benefits should go along with every other benefit these veterans are entitled to! Shame on the U.S. government for doing this. After all these veterans WILLINGLY served their country no questions asked. When President Bush asked for volunteered to defend this country after 9-11 many did so! Now it should be the veterans turn to reap the benefits of that!