It Has Always Been

It has always been the soldier,
Not the president,
Who takes care of us.

It is the sailor,
Not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the marine,
Not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the airman,
Not the campus organizer,
Who gave us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the person in uniform,
--- who salutes the flag
--- who serves beneath the flag
--- and whose coffin is draped by the flag
That allows the protester to burn the flag.

Author unknown

For Your Information...

Tutorial Assistance

If you're having trouble with a course and need a tutor, you can qualify for tutorial assistance. You must be attending school at the rate of one-half time or more, and your school must verify that your tutor is qualified. Once you start your tutoring sessions, your school must certify the hours of each session. You can get up to $100 per month in tutorial assistance. The maximum allowance is $1,200 per year. After you've received $600 in tutorial assistance, VA will charge one month of entitlement for each payment equal to one month of full time benefits. For example, if your full time monthly rate under the Montgomery GI Bill is $427.87, VA will charge one month of entitlement after you've received $1,027.87 in tutorial assistance. If your one-half time rate is $213.94, VA will charge one-half of a month of entitlement after you've received $813.94.

*Taken verbatim from the Buffalo Regional Processing Office, Education Services Unit Newsletter, Volume 6 - April 1999. All dollar amounts are subject to change via VA regulations. For the most current information regarding the above mentioned program, contact VA directly.

The VA has a toll free number that you can call to get information on VA education benefits. This number is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and callers can get information ranging from eligibility requirements to talking with a case manager. Please note, however, that case managers are only available during their normal offices hours. Callers may even access information about their current VA account. The number for all of these services is 1-888-442-4551.

With all the breaks between semesters, some of you may be wondering how the VA handles payment over break periods. The following is taken verbatim from the Buffalo Regional Processing Office, Education Services Unit Newsletter, Volume 6-April 1999.

What is an Interval Payment?

An interval payment is what you receive for the interval or break between two school terms. In most cases, VA will pay you for the break between two semesters, quarters, or summer sessions. But, we won't pay you for an interval under any of the conditions shown below.

• The break covers a full calendar month or more. For example, the break between December 19th and February 2nd covers the full calendar month of January.

• The break exceeds 30 days and you change schools. In this case, we mean any 30-day period, not just a period covering a full calendar month.

• You change schools and also change programs. In this case, the length of the break doesn't matter.

• You're on active duty or training at less than one-half time on the last day of the term preceding the break.

• The break occurs between school years at a school that isn't organized on a term, quarter, or semester basis.

• You specifically state that you don't want payment for the break. You must make the request before VA actually authorizes payment for the break.

• Your entitlement will run out during the break. When your entitlement is nearly exhausted, VA won't routinely pay for a break unless you specifically request it.

• You withdraw from all courses or discontinue training during the term preceding the break.