Who out there is using their MGIB to pay for courses? I'm AD mil and I'd like some help understanding if you can get the Masters Cert in Guitar paid in full (key being full) by the VA. I'm hearing that I'd only get 1/4 paid at best. VA thinks online fulltime can be different than in-class, but Berklee doesn't agree. Don't want to pay out of pocket if I don't have to. Thanks for any help navigating the red tape. Cheers Mick

I am a Vet using the GI Bill for Spec. Cert., and going to pursue the Master later. I am only on my second course, but I have had the courses reimbursed in full from VA minus the registration fees and any course materials needed. So, not sure if you mean paid in full up front or just all the courses paid for. I am taking one cousre per term, which is paid by the VA as a less than half-time student. So far it's been paid for.

Ahha! You're on the exact path I'm looking to follow; that is to say "courses reimbursed in full from VA minus the registration fees and any course materials needed." is what I'm trying to achieve and what I'm told can't be done. Can you tell me with whom you are working with at the registrar to make this happen, or is it just "happening" automatically? How did you know you'd get reimbursed in full before you outlayed your money?

This link is to all the Berkleemusic GI Bill info (www.berkleemusic.com/school/schoolinfo/military/). This will tell you what you need to do to let the school know you would like to us the GI Bill. You still have to pay for the courses first,out of pocket.

I checked with VA to make sure the program I wanted was on their approved list. (www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/search_programs.htm)... Under BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC, Non College Degree

Filled out the neccessary VA paperwork to get the ball rolling. Was I was granted that, I enrolled. After the course starts email the Continuing Education Registrar and ask them to verify with VA on the couse you are taking. A few weeks later I had the full course funds back in pocket.

Yes, I have that stuff on track; but the key question here is how did you know you were going to get reimbursed in full - which is something like $1300/ course right? Did the VA tell you what you'd get back or did you just pay and hope for the best? They are telling me that 1/4 time I'd get like $250 per course reimbursed (ie 750+ out of pocket)...Also it matters what program you are under - are you using MGIB? or VEIP or 9/11GI bill? Thanks for the help so far!

Kinda late to this discussion, but I'm active duty Navy and I use Navy Tuition Assistance for 75 percent (max $250/hour) and the MGIB for the other 25 percent (Master's Cert program); this is MGIB Top-Up of course. I take 1-2 courses at a time here, and Top-Up covers it. For 2 course enrollment that equates to $1500 from Navy Tuition Assistance, $690 ($345/course) from the MGIB, and 2 years of my life obligated when it's all said and done! Strategizing, my last use of Navy Tuition Assistance will be 2 years and 3 months before my anticipated retirement...that's halfway through the certificate and until reading this thread, I was planning on using MGIB for 100 percent of that second half.

I'd like to hear what you found out on this. >D