| The Emergency GI Bill Payment program was | | | | letter from the school admissions office). Also, it's |
| introduced in the beginning of October in response to | | | | important to note that you must appear in person to |
| reported hardships caused by delays in GI Bill | | | | pick up your check. You cannot send someone in |
| benefits. The following information addresses the | | | | your place. If you are unable to get there, the VA |
| most frequent inquiries regarding the latest details of | | | | recommends that you apply online. |
| the Veteran Administration's emergency payment | | | | Some Veterans have asked if they are still eligible for |
| process. | | | | a $3000 advance payment if they received their |
| If you are a veteran who is presently enrolled in | | | | October 1st education payment. The answer to this |
| school and eligible under one of the VA's education | | | | question is NO. Advance payments are only approved |
| programs, you qualify for education advance | | | | for those Veterans who haven't yet received their |
| payments as long has you haven't yet received your | | | | monthly installments for the fall 2009 school term. |
| monthly payment benefit. Those who have applied | | | | Only one payment is authorized per Veteran, based |
| for their education benefits but have not yet | | | | on which GI Bill program you are enrolled in: |
| received their monthly installment can receive | | | | Post-9/11 GI Bill - $3,000 |
| payments of up to $3,000. The amount allotted to | | | | Montgomery GI Bill -Active Duty $3,000 |
| you is based upon the benefit payable under your | | | | Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve $1,000 |
| educational program. | | | | Reserve Education Assistance Program $2,000 |
| To apply for an advance payment, you can now | | | | Post Vietnam Era Educational Assistance Programs |
| complete the process online at | | | | $1000 |
| advancepay.gibill.va.gov. Or, you can go to the VA | | | | Another question often asked is if a Veteran has to |
| regional office closest to you in person to receive an | | | | pay this advance payment back. The answer is that |
| advance pay. Regional offices are now open | | | | the payment will be recouped from your future VA |
| between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm on | | | | payments. However, if you stop attending class |
| weekdays for advance payments. (To view a list of | | | | during the semester to reduce your coarse load to a |
| regional offices with their locations, log on to | | | | level that affects your monthly benefit, full |
| vba.va.gov/VBA/beneifts/offices.asp.) If you need | | | | recoupment by the VA may not be possible, and you |
| transportation, you can request the free van service | | | | will be responsible for repaying any remaining balance. |
| provided by volunteers, which is on a first-come, | | | | Also, advance payments can only be issued to U.S. |
| first-served, space availability basis. | | | | mailing addresses and are not available to |
| If you make your request online, the advance | | | | dependents, only to Veterans. |
| payment will be issued by the U.S. Treasury within | | | | For the latest information concerning Military |
| three workdays after submission. Payments will be | | | | education benefits and procedures, please visit your |
| made in the form of a check and delivered by US | | | | education counseling office. |
| Mail. However, if you elect to go to the regional | | | | This article is based on publicly-accessible information |
| office to pick up an advance payment, you will need | | | | and has not been reviewed or approved by any |
| to provide a government-issued photo ID and poof | | | | military branch. |
| that you are enrolled in school (i.e. class schedule, | | | | |