School/GI Bill can suck it... and suck it hard
If I’m registered for 12 credit hours during a term, I’m a full time student, right?
WRONG!
Here’s the deal. The entire term runs from Jan 4-May 8th. I am taking 3 classes worth 4 credit hours each. One class is from Jan 4-April 17th, the second class is from Jan25-April 17th, and the third class is from March 29-May 8th. These classes overlap each other , and at one point, for about 3 weeks, I’ll be in all 3 classes at the same time.
Here’s how the VA is going to pay my GI Bill.
Jan 4-Jan 24: Less than Half Time
Jan 25-March 28: Half or ¾ time
March 29-April 17: Full Time
April 18-May 8: Less than Half Time
So, I’m technically a full time student as far as school is concerned, and they are certainly billing the government for full time tuition, but the GI Bill isn’t going to pay me as a full time student.
I know that I’m all supposed to be for a college education and so forth. I’m grateful to have the army paying the bill, and I’m grateful to receive the GI Bill.
My problem is with the way the system is set up. The way that online schools, or distance learning, is set up puts the student at a complete disadvantage when it comes to the GI Bill. Traditional students can receive full tuition and a room and board stipend and books and etc. Online schools are designed to have consecutive classes, rather than concurrent classes because that makes it easier for the student. I understand that, but that prohibits me from maximizing my GI Bill potential. It doesn’t stop the school from maximizing their potential b/c they’re still charging the National Guard for a full time student.
So, in order for me to fully realize the benefits of the GI Bill that I’ve earned, I have to physically go to school, which I can’t do because I’m a grown adult with a full time job, and a wife and child who I like to see and spend time with and be a family with.
Perhaps I can’t properly put into words how I feel, but the combination of the frustrations of my GI Bill crap (which has taken 2 months to even get an answer on, who knows how long it will be before I even start getting actual money) and the fact that my math class is kicking my ass AGAIN for the second term is making me re-evaluate the real need to keep hacking away at this.
I think I need to find a different school to attend. This one isn’t really working out for me.
Posted via email from Jeremy's posterous