As we begin 2021, VAโs Education Service reflected on the challenges the past year uncovered and examined how we adapted to meet your needs. Whether you are a Veteran about to begin your education journey with the GI Billยฎ or a current GI Bill student looking for inspiration as you plan for your future, we understand the impact the pandemic may have on your life.
While there are many resources to support those managing the impacts of a global pandemic, we narrowed a few down to create a fact sheet with GI Bill students in mind. You can see the resources described below and find them listed in our Fact Sheet.
Here is what you need to know:
- Legislation protects your GI Bill Benefits: As the pandemic closed many schools and training establishments, moving many classes and programs online, GI Bill students began asking how this would affect their benefits and direct payments. VA and our partners took action to bring these concerns to Congress. In March 2020, the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 was signed into law, protecting GI Bill benefits and payments. If you have more questions about the legislation, visit our FAQs page to learn more.
- Managing personal finances during the pandemic can be extra challenging, but there are tools to help: From applying for a VA home loan, to protecting yourself against fraudsters, there are resources out there that can make evaluating your finances and planning your budget easier.
- Certain flexibilities are available to students with federal financial aid: If you are using federal aid to supplement GI Bill benefits, know what options for managing your aid during the pandemic are available to you in 2021.
- Navigating the job scene looks very different for many this year: Whether you have been recently unemployed and are looking for work, or are returning to work in 2021, there are resources in place to help you make those changes more manageable.
We hope you check out these resources in our downloadable resource document and find them useful, wherever you are in your GI Bill journey. Although navigating COVID-19 can be difficult on its own, we strive to support your success and hope these resources make your GI Bill journey decisions a little easier.
If you have questions about your specific circumstance, please submit your question electronically or contact the Education Call Center at: 1-888-442-4551 (domestic) or 001-918-781-5678 (from overseas) between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday-Friday.
