Press Releases
Chancellor Fingerhut Discusses Delay of Post-9/11 GI Benefits
September 25, 2009
As the fall term begins at University System of Ohio institutions across the state, many of our veterans seeking their education have encountered difficulties in accessing benefits available under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Currently, there is a backlog at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for education benefits claims due to extremely high demand. For veterans receiving tuition benefits, this means their college or university may not receive tuition payments from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs before classes begin.
All University System of Ohio institutions have held and continue to hold harmless those veterans utilizing Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition benefits that are affected by the backlog. Institutions are waiving late fees and counting student veterans as "enrolled" while the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs continues to process their claims.
The Ohio GI Promise, established by Governor Strickland in July 2008, ensures all veterans eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are residents of Ohio for tuition purposes, and established a resource for veterans at the Ohio Board of Regents to assist veterans with questions and concerns related to their educational benefits. For those veterans seeking help, they should call 1-877-VETS-OH-1 or email Daniel Eakins, administrator of the Ohio GI Promise, at deakins@regents.state.oh.us.
