New Post 9-11 G.I. Bill causing money pains for students

Posted: Updated:

By Don Logana - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - New bill. New benefits. But the same long wait?

The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits kicked in on August 1st. Half way through September, nationwide, more than 172,000 people are still waiting to be reimbursed.

More than 100 are on the campus of Armstrong Atlantic State University. While Veteran Affairs work out the kinks, some students are hitting hard times while they wait.

Heather Bovyer is back at school after three years in the military.

"It was the main reason I joined the Army," Bovyer told WTOC.

The Armstrong Atlantic State University freshman, and mother of two, heard about the new Post 9/11 G.I. Bill education benefits and applied. Eligible students receive 100 percent tuition, a housing allowance and a 1,000 dollar stipend for books.

However, when classes were about to start, Bovyer still hadn't been reimbursed by Veteran Affairs.

"I've called V.A. quite a few times trying to get through," she said "I was still able to go to class but my tuition hadn't been paid for."

AASU allowed her to go to school, but not all colleges and universities are as flexible. Three weeks into classes, she finally got reimbursed. However, across the country, 172,000 students are still waiting, forced to pay until the check comes.

"Books are expensive. College is expensive," Bovyer said. "Not everyone can get approved for credit cards right now because of the economy. They have to drop from college, which is a shame."

"Majority of our students have not been reimbursed by the V.A. yet," Kathy Platt, VA Coordinator for AASU, told WTOC.

Kathy Platt says re-imbursement delays are a result of a back log at the VA Regional Office.

"It's a new program. They are trying to go through all the applications. A lot of vets are eligible and applying," she said. "Once we get past the first semester with this new program, I know it will be a smoother transition into spring."

"If V.A. tells you they are going to pay, they're going to pay," Bovyer said.

AASU is working with students, but other schools around Georgia say they can't afford to wait. Bovyer isn't buying it.

"If they can go to war for their country, two or three weeks isn't that long to hold a class for a student," she said.

SCAD, Savannah State and South University also accept students under the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. They all have their own offices to process these benefit applications, which could take up to 12 weeks to be re-imbursed.