IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Passage of the Isakson and Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020
On January 5, 2021, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 was signed into law. This new law provides for the improvement and/or expansion of various GI Bill® programs, including increased funding for the VET TEC program, improvements to the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship and expansion of the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship).
At this time, there is no action required from you. We are committed to providing you regular updates through direct email campaigns and social media about VA’s effort to implement these new changes.
If you have any questions, please contact the Education Call Center at: 1-888-442-4551 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday. For timely updates about the law, please visit the Isakson and Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 webpage and follow us on Facebook for updates on all of your VA education benefits.
Welcome to the first issue of the GI Bill® Student Newsletter! Every other month we will bring you updates, news and tips to help you manage and maximize your education benefits. Be sure to check your inbox for bi-monthly updates.
No matter where you are in your GI Bill journey, we want to see you succeed! With all that is going on in our world, today, we realize that the road can get tough. Here are three steps to help you manage your education goals and maximize your benefits.
1.) Find the resources you need to succeed during COVID-19
The effects of COVID-19 continue to affect so many. Through it all, VA has been working with Congress to preserve GI Bill® benefits for those impacted. This included the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, which was passed last year. This allows VA to pay education benefits and Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) payments to GI Bill students at the resident rate when their programs are converted from in-person to online learning solely due to COVID-19. The provisions were originally set to expire in December 2020. However, they have since been extended until December 2021. To help you succeed as you continue your GI Bill journey, we've curated these COVID-19 resources.
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2.) Use these Federal tools to help you succeed
From choosing the right school to understanding the financial aid process, navigating your education journey can be a lot, but it doesn't have to be hard. VA teamed up with the Department of Education (ED) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to highlight some of the federal tools, to help you plan and make the most of your benefits. Check out the VAntage Point blog to learn what they are.
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3.) Make sure VA has your correct email address
Your email address is VA's primary mode of contacting you about your education benefits. Stay in loop by making sure your email is up to date with us. You can verify and update your email information by calling the Education Call Center (ECC) at 888-442-4551. If you are calling from overseas, the number is 001-918-781-5678. The ECC is open Monday - Friday, 7am to 6pm CT, and closed all federal holidays.
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Get even more out of your education benefits!
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