The Book Stipend is paid to student 2 weeks prior to the class start date if your school has submitted the certification of enrollment and VA has processed your claim. This change went into effect 1 Aug 12.

The BAH increase is based on the cost of living for the calendar year. Why would we (users of the Post 9/11 GI Bill) be payed the current cost of living 8 months late? I believe the decision to postpone the rate change to August 1 disadvantages students using the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The cost of living in Austin, TX is rising rapidly and rent prices don't wait for the new school year in order to rise. By the time it is August 1, we will be getting paid the rates that were appropriate towards the beginning of the year, 8 months earlier. BAH, is calculated based on calendar year. Changing the effective date of its rates to August 1, 8 months after the calendar year begins, causes the users of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, mostly veterans, to not be adequately compensated.

my classes begin on Jan. 7 and I have yet to receive my book stipend. Guess I'l start the year off right without books b/c I don't qualify for a book voucher due to Post 9/11 benefits and I can't afford to purchase books out of pocket without the stipend.

Thanks to the post 9/11 GI Bill, I was able to go back to school and earn my degree in less than 2 years. All while being paid rent money to support myself. Wouldn't have been able to do it otherwise.