cheesehead4life
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Has anyone heard anything about trainees not being able to use the GI bill in training, was told that they suspended the program.
Gi Bill suspended For trainees
- Thread starter cheesehead4life
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HurryUpandWait
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Yep, heard the same
cheesehead4life
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NATCA is working to resolve this:
The VA has suspended 5 previously approved OJT Programs for GI Bill benefits that are offered by the FAA including Air Traffic Controller-Enroute (FV-2152), Air Traffic Controller Terminal (FV-2152), The reason for the suspension of our programs is related to training at government agency training facilities established under 5 U.S. Code, Part 41, also known as Government Employees Training Act (GETA). 38 U.S. Code, Part 3681 prohibits payments to individuals attending GETA training facilities. The FAA Academy is established under this law and the FAA provides a salary, per diem and lodging (either by Centralized Billing Account or reimbursement).
Issue:
Anyone who was enrolled prior to December 5th can continue to submit hours to receive the GI Bill payment. Any new trainees will not be able to enroll to the GI Bill program at this time. In 2008, when the program initially started, the approval for the program included the time at MMAC and/or anytime that trainees were also receiving per diem. The program has been suspended and the FAA is required to reapply with the new training hours due to the laws noted above. Trainees were identified as collecting both per diem and the GI Bill.
What’s being done:
AJI is putting together training plans for various facilities ranging in lowest level to highest level for each discipline. These plans will indicate the different stages of training and how many hours are contained in each. This will comply with the stages of the 3120.4S Appendix D and E.
For example, plans will be broken up into (Enroute):
Stage 2 Classroom
Stage 2 Simulation
Stage 2 OJT
Stage 3 Classroom
Stage 3 Simulation
Stage 3 OJT
Next steps:
1. AJI to produce training plans and submit to AJG (Air Traffic - 3 days) (Tech Ops – 3 weeks)
2. AJG produces application and submits to VA (approx. 5 days)
3. VA approval (estimated 14 – 90 days)
In Solidarity,
Jamaal Haltom
NATCA National Training Representative
C 302-399-5795
The VA has suspended 5 previously approved OJT Programs for GI Bill benefits that are offered by the FAA including Air Traffic Controller-Enroute (FV-2152), Air Traffic Controller Terminal (FV-2152), The reason for the suspension of our programs is related to training at government agency training facilities established under 5 U.S. Code, Part 41, also known as Government Employees Training Act (GETA). 38 U.S. Code, Part 3681 prohibits payments to individuals attending GETA training facilities. The FAA Academy is established under this law and the FAA provides a salary, per diem and lodging (either by Centralized Billing Account or reimbursement).
Issue:
Anyone who was enrolled prior to December 5th can continue to submit hours to receive the GI Bill payment. Any new trainees will not be able to enroll to the GI Bill program at this time. In 2008, when the program initially started, the approval for the program included the time at MMAC and/or anytime that trainees were also receiving per diem. The program has been suspended and the FAA is required to reapply with the new training hours due to the laws noted above. Trainees were identified as collecting both per diem and the GI Bill.
What’s being done:
AJI is putting together training plans for various facilities ranging in lowest level to highest level for each discipline. These plans will indicate the different stages of training and how many hours are contained in each. This will comply with the stages of the 3120.4S Appendix D and E.
For example, plans will be broken up into (Enroute):
Stage 2 Classroom
Stage 2 Simulation
Stage 2 OJT
Stage 3 Classroom
Stage 3 Simulation
Stage 3 OJT
Next steps:
1. AJI to produce training plans and submit to AJG (Air Traffic - 3 days) (Tech Ops – 3 weeks)
2. AJG produces application and submits to VA (approx. 5 days)
3. VA approval (estimated 14 – 90 days)
In Solidarity,
Jamaal Haltom
NATCA National Training Representative
C 302-399-5795
My_life_4_auir
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What constitutes being enrolled prior to the date? I used my GI Bill at my old facility, now I’m in training elsewhere but never applied for GI bill benefits here. Am I previously enrolled or not
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Not to be rude but I would submit it to the va saying you were enrolled on x date and you are now training again. If you ask for clarification I think you know what the intent and answer will be.
SquawkHijack
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ManBearPig
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The email was ambiguous AF. They talked about the MMAC be specifically suspended, but then talk about facility levels. IDK. If someone has the answers, please post them up.
HappyController
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HammerHead
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I've been told the same. Got to a new fac(hopefully last) in Dec. I know this sounds entitled but I'm gonna be pissed if they don't backdate it. Most of us don't need the extra money but the military promised this benefit, it better be honored.
SquawkHijack
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Especially since everyone who’s gotten to use it before now got those benefits. We all served and should all be entitled to those benefits.
If they want to say that those who enter military service past xx/xx/xxxx date can no longer use GI Bill benefits for an apprenticeship or federal training after their .mil service, fine. But don’t take it away from those who were promised these specific benefits like you stated.
Apple-saucer
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I assume everyone else hasn't received Jan payment then?
That’s good news 🙌
HappyController
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Source? Or email update from the great NATCA leadership?
SquawkHijack
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HammerHead
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I've gotten my payment but curious if anyone else has run into the same problem as me.
As most of us know, you get 100% of the benefit for 6 months, then 80% the next 6 months. It was my understanding that if you went to a new facility, this reset to 100%.
I'm now at my 3rd facility. At my 2nd facility, the benefit reset to 100%. Now that payments have started up again, they sent me a letter saying it never should have reset at that 2nd facility.
They're telling me I owe nearly 10k. The letter says I have 1 year to request an additional review.
Edit: Should have searched the site before I posted. It looks like it's not supposed to reset. Consider yourself lucky if it does and they don't catch you for repayment. If I knew, I would've said fuck it, I won't use it anymore.
If anyone has resources or guidance, I'd appreciate it. I think I'll look into getting a lawyer to at least attempt at avoiding the repayment.
As most of us know, you get 100% of the benefit for 6 months, then 80% the next 6 months. It was my understanding that if you went to a new facility, this reset to 100%.
I'm now at my 3rd facility. At my 2nd facility, the benefit reset to 100%. Now that payments have started up again, they sent me a letter saying it never should have reset at that 2nd facility.
They're telling me I owe nearly 10k. The letter says I have 1 year to request an additional review.
Edit: Should have searched the site before I posted. It looks like it's not supposed to reset. Consider yourself lucky if it does and they don't catch you for repayment. If I knew, I would've said fuck it, I won't use it anymore.
If anyone has resources or guidance, I'd appreciate it. I think I'll look into getting a lawyer to at least attempt at avoiding the repayment.
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