New interpretation could mean some students can't use GI Bill for education

After his graduation from Capital High in Helena back in 2015, Jackson Haddon was faced with a decision — he wanted to go to college, but really didn’t want to go into debt doing so.

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Haddon used the Post-9/11 GI Bill along with the small private college’s Yellow Ribbon Program, which helps pay for the higher costs of private school that the VA doesn't cover.

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But now the status of future students who want to follow the same approach as Haddon is in question. A recent change in the rules for a long-time program meant to stop for-profit colleges from taking advantage of veterans could instead block future students from using things like the Post-9/11 GI Bill to pay for their education. Haddon would be grandfathered in.

The 85/15 Rule has been around since the 1950s. The rule says the VA cannot pay for the education of students enrolled in programs where more than 85% of students have their tuition supported by the VA or the college.

The change in interpretation hinges on what counts as a “supported student.” Before it generally meant any student who was receiving VA education benefits, but the new understanding includes any student who gets a scholarship or grant from their school, who is granted a waiver or tuition and fee forgiveness or any student using a payment plan.

Read more: https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/new-interpretation-could-mean-some-students-cant-use-gi-bill-for-education/article_baab04c0-3f6a-5a42-8f06-c6a869c674e1.html