Will the GI Bill Pay Me to Get a Teching Certificate?
Q: I retired on 1 Feb 09. I completed my BSBA, but I want to teach. In order to do that, I need a Teaching License from an approved university. I’m working with TTT and have an approved university that the state of Colorado excepts. Looks like the total cost will be $4,355 over the 9-month program. Question is … while I’m going for a Teaching License (on-line with University of Western Florida), am I eligible for my monthly full-rate GI Bill benefits, and if so, what would that be? Thanks!
A: I have a couple of concerns. First, with you completing your degree, do you have 9-months of GI Bill benefits left? Assuming you do, then my answer is it depends on which GI Bill you are referring to. With the Montgomery GI Bill, you would get $1,368 per month and you have to pay all your own expenses, including tuition, fees and other education-related expenses.
If you are talking about the Post 9/11 GI Bill, it usually doesn’t pay for licenses or certifications, but there are some exceptions. If you could get the Post 9/11 GI Bill to pay for your tuition, you wouldn’t get the monthly housing allowance, because you are taking only online classes. The way around that is to take at least one class per term at a campus near you. Just make sure your resident class counts toward your teaching certificate.
My other concern is the University of Western Florida is not listed as a VA-approved school. Now while that is not the end of the world, because they could become VA-approved, it begs asking the question are they a nationally recognized accredited school? With all the scams currently out there, be sure to check out their accreditation. If they are hesitant about producing evidence, find another school.
I did find a University of Phoenix – Western Florida Campus listing. Is that it? If so, they are a good school and VA-approved.
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