Using Post 9/11 GI Bill for Firearms Training

[Nuke8401]

Here is what I learned about using Post 9/11 GI Bill Educational Benefits for firearms training at the Sig Sauer Academy. There are only a few training facilities around the country that are VA approved so you need to check in advance with the facility and the VA. It is a simple process and with SIG you don’t have to pay them up front for the tuition. I got less than expected for “supplies” but it is prorated based on using a total $1000 amount for two “semesters” of coursework. Since the course was only one week/40hrs this does not equal much ($13.83). I also received money for “housing” which the VA bases on E-5 pay and the geographical area ($235.50).

Here are the steps to using your Post 9/11 GI Bill:

1. Finding out the status of your benefits and your current amount used if any:

- First you should create an account on the VA website to check your current GI Bill eligibility status: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal

- At this website under the heading “View My Status” use the pull down menus “Education” and then “check Post 9/11 GI Bill Enrollment Status. This site provides an up to date accounting of your benefits and the amount of benefits used in months and days. If you are eligible for 100% benefit then you will start with 36 months. The 5 day (40) hours Sig Sauer “Patrol Rifle Instructor” course shows up as 40.0 Residence hours and cost me 5 days of VA eligibility which is a very good deal. I took two college classes for a total of 7 Distance hours and that cost me 2 months and 8 days!

2. How to use the benefits:

- Contact SIG at least one month in advance and let them know you want to take a class using your 9/11 GI bill benefits. They will ask you for a “Certificate of Eligibility” from the VA. You must use the VA website: https://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/Vonapp/default.asp to complete Form VA 22-1990; “Application for VA Education Benefits” You do need some information to complete the form. This is a link to the old hard copy version of the form you can use to gather info before you log into the VONAPP site. http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-22_1990.pdf

- After completing the online paperwork the VA will mail you a “Certificate of Eligibility” and you must send this to SIG. I scanned/pdf’d it and emailed it to SIG. I also brought a hardcopy with me but they didn’t need it.

3. Timeline for payment:

- I attended the course 11/11/2013 to 11/15/2013 and the electronic deposit to my checking account posted on 12/24/2013. Right after the class I called the VA and asked them if I needed to submit any paperwork such as receipts for hotel, meals, or supplies and they said no. They said the amount paid would be based on the length of the course and that the “school” needed to submit the paperwork.

- So the VA paid to the tuition in full $1000 (directly to SIG) and gave me $249.33.

[whitedog]

Very cool.

[Sarge]

Just to go to a shooting school for helping improve your game ? Or do you get certified as an instructor coming out of the school?

Depending on the purpose of the course I have differing opinions

[outerlimits]

Just to go to a shooting school for helping improve your game ? Or do you get certified as an instructor coming out of the school?

Depending on the purpose of the course I have differing opinions

Huh? The guy fought for his country-deserves every benefit he can get, period.

[Nuke8401]

The point of my post was to inform eligible VETs of the opportunity/process.

If you are interested in which classes are approved you can see the list at Sig's website. http://www.sigsaueracademy.com/VaFunding/

If you have a beef with the VA approving classes/courses I would suggest you take that up with them.

Sarge, thank you for your service, It took all my strength to not flame on you.

MODs if this post has no place on ENOS, please delete.

Thanks,

David E

Edited December 30, 2013 by Nuke8401

[Wg82]

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