Studying Abroad on the GI Bill

An interesting question was posed recently on the SECUSS-L ListServ by the Director of Study Abroad at St. Mary's University of Minnesota, Philip R. Hull. He spoke with a student who is returning to school and is on the GI Bill, which allows those who have served our country to return for an education with financial support. The student Dr. Hull was speaking with expressed interest in studying abroad, which leads to his question: will students be able to apply their GI Bill funds to a study abroad program?

After posing the question to colleagues he received various responses that begin to lead to the same conclusion. The responses pointed out the Department of Veterans Affairs appears to be working to clarify their policies to help veterans and their advisors understand the benefits and restrictions outlined in the Post 9/11 GI Bill, that can be used to help with the cost of study abroad programs. Continuing, several other respondents replied by pointing out that the "VA cannot pay any fees specific to studying abroad unless the student is required to study abroad as part of their program."

What seems clear after reviewing the various responses Dr. Hull received is simply that the provisions and limitations of the Bill are not clearly presented and being able to transfer funds to a study abroad program is not an easy task. However, it can be done! The advice passed onto those financing their education with a GI Bill is to take initiative to set up your funds for studying abroad, and be persistent. Get in touch with a local VA representative early on in your process and continue working with them through the entirety of the process (through returning back home), they'll be the best ones able to help you get where you want to be: abroad!