Veteran School Bill

Alex · 11-26-07, 07:27 PM

I am a veteran living in the state of Wisconsin. The State has excellent veteran benefits and I take advantage of many of them. (Thank you to all of us taxpayers!). A new benefit is that we do not pay any tuition at state-sponsored schools at undergraduate level or higher. We sign up for classes and receive a bill for zero dollars. Nice, huh?

So this was the first semester that that went into being. About a month into the semester, I was having problems with a bad kidney that I have had all my life. I was in and out of the emergency room for an entire week. The urologist recommended taking it out, so I agreed and it happened. I was out of commission for weeks. Looking at the syllabi I realized that I could not keep up with class work, so I dropped the semester. A week later I received a bill for the full cost of tuition. I called the school and they said that the only thing that I could do was pay the bill and get credit for next semester. This does me no good because the State is paying for it. All that money I pay would be lost.

The Veteran's Administration says it is a school issue, and I agree. I appealed and it is currently in school committee. They said I should receive a final decision soon.

Should a veteran have to pay the tuition in this situation? Should anyone have to pay for that matter?

jallman · 11-26-07, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

I am a veteran living in the state of Wisconsin. The State has excellent veteran benefits and I take advantage of many of them. (Thank you to all of us taxpayers!). A new benefit is that we do not pay any tuition at state-sponsored schools at undergraduate level or higher. We sign up for classes and receive a bill for zero dollars. Nice, huh?

So this was the first semester that that went into being. About a month into the semester, I was having problems with a bad kidney that I have had all my life. I was in and out of the emergency room for an entire week. The urologist recommended taking it out, so I agreed and it happened. I was out of commission for weeks. Looking at the syllabi I realized that I could not keep up with class work, so I dropped the semester. A week later I received a bill for the full cost of tuition. I called the school and they said that the only thing that I could do was pay the bill and get credit for next semester. This does me no good because the State is paying for it. All that money I pay would be lost.

The Veteran's Administration says it is a school issue, and I agree. I appealed and it is currently in school committee. They said I should receive a final decision soon.

Should a veteran have to pay the tuition in this situation? Should anyone have to pay for that matter?

I think this is an accounting issue and here is why: you received a bill for a balance of $0.00. This means that in the ledger, all charges and payments are balanced. How did dropping the semester change this at all?

jallman · 11-26-07, 07:50 PM

Oh, and best wishes on a speedy recovery.

Alex · 11-26-07, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jallman

I think this is an accounting issue and here is why: you received a bill for a balance of $0.00. This means that in the ledger, all charges and payments are balanced. How did dropping the semester change this at all?

Because I dropped the semester, the Veteran's Administration retracted the benefit. I agree with this because why should it happen if I did not finish my end of the deal? Still, I hope the school realizes that this was out of my control and they drop the bill.

Alex · 11-26-07, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jallman

Oh, and best wishes on a speedy recovery.

Thanks! Morphine was awesome. lol

jallman · 11-26-07, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Because I dropped the semester, the Veteran's Administration retracted the benefit. I agree with this because why should it happen if I did not finish my end of the deal? Still, I hope the school realizes that this was out of my control and they drop the bill.

There should be all kinds of exemptions for health issues. If you have documentation, etc, I don't see how they can NOT eliminate the bill and the mark against you for dropping the semester.

WI Crippler · 11-26-07, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

I am a veteran living in the state of Wisconsin. The State has excellent veteran benefits and I take advantage of many of them. (Thank you to all of us taxpayers!). A new benefit is that we do not pay any tuition at state-sponsored schools at undergraduate level or higher. We sign up for classes and receive a bill for zero dollars. Nice, huh?

So this was the first semester that that went into being. About a month into the semester, I was having problems with a bad kidney that I have had all my life. I was in and out of the emergency room for an entire week. The urologist recommended taking it out, so I agreed and it happened. I was out of commission for weeks. Looking at the syllabi I realized that I could not keep up with class work, so I dropped the semester. A week later I received a bill for the full cost of tuition. I called the school and they said that the only thing that I could do was pay the bill and get credit for next semester. This does me no good because the State is paying for it. All that money I pay would be lost.

The Veteran's Administration says it is a school issue, and I agree. I appealed and it is currently in school committee. They said I should receive a final decision soon.

Should a veteran have to pay the tuition in this situation? Should anyone have to pay for that matter?

Waiiiit just a minute. Are you saying I could go to UW-Madison tuition free simply because I am a veteran?

Alex · 11-26-07, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WI Crippler

Waiiiit just a minute. Are you saying I could go to UW-Madison tuition free simply because I am a veteran?

Yes. Any state-sponsored school is part of the benefit. All you have to do is apply for the new Wisconsin GI Bill.

Check it out: http://dva.state.wi.us/Ben_education.asp

WI Crippler · 11-26-07, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Yes. Any state-sponsored school is part of the benefit. All you have to do is apply for the new Wisconsin GI Bill.

Check it out:Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Education Benefits Page

Man that would almost be worth the divorce that would almost assuredly ensue. I don't know if my liver is up to the task anymore either.......

DeeJayH · 11-26-07, 11:50 PM

that is BS, but i believe it is common when Financial Aid is involved
good luck , dont forget your doctors note

and is there any requireements to be eligible
or does one merely need to enlist and serve one term honorably?