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Dear GI Bill® Student,
With the enactment of the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, (Public Law 116-140) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been granted the authority to extend eligibility periods (i.e. delimiting dates) for students who had been pursuing a course or program of education and received GI Bill education benefits when their school temporarily closed/temporarily suspended a program of education on or after March 1, 2020.
This letter informs you Public Law 116-140, section 6, authorizes VA to extend the eligibility period if the beneficiary is prevented from pursuing a chosen program of education before the expiration of such period for using entitlement because an education institution closed (temporarily or permanently)
This section applies to:
- Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (chapter 30)
- Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserves (chapter 1606)
- Dependents’ Education Assistance for children (chapter 35)
- Post 9/11 GI Bill (including those recipients of the Fry Scholarship)
- Post 9/11 GI Bill Transfer of Entitlement Spouses and Children
Specifically, Public Law 116-140 authorizes VA to extend the 10-year eligibility period for MGIB and the 15-year eligibility period for Post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiaries who meet the following criteria may apply for the extension:
- Were actively enrolled between March 1, 2020, and December 21, 2020;
- Had an interruption in training due to COVID-19;
- Had not reached their delimiting date prior to the interruption; AND
- Experienced a closing (temporary or permanent) of their educational institution or
- Experienced a temporary suspension of a program
In order to apply for this extension, you must submit a request to VA. The request doesn’t require a particular VA form, but the beneficiary’s signed statement should include:
- The beginning and ending dates showing the beneficiary was unable to attend training and
- A statement indicating, it was due to COVID-19
You may send your request through the “Submit a Question” link at: https://gibill.custhelp.va.gov/
If you have questions about your GI Bill benefits, please contact the Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551 between 8 AM and 7 PM Eastern Time, Monday-Friday or you may use the following link: https://gibill.custhelp.va.gov/ through the “Submit a Question”.
Respectfully,
Education Service
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