Veterans who are 30 percent service-connected or higher, who live in the state of Wisconsin for five years or more, qualify for a benefit that grants 128 credits without penalty of failing or dropping a course.

The benefit is called the Wisconsin G.I. Bill. The journey offers an opportunity for surviving economic displacement.

The credits do not require specific majors or University of Wisconsin enrollment. The Wisconsin G.I. Bill works like a block grant offering the veteran the freedom of exploration across several fields.

In Spring of 2021, I used the Wisconsin G.I. Bill while attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Madison College and Fox Valley Technical College simultaneously.

When a disabled veteran falls on periods of long-term unemployment, college becomes a viable option.

Financial aid also assists veterans who are awaiting the decision for their disability determination with the Veterans Administration before launching their career. The state of Wisconsin opens the door of hope with free college.

There is a catch. 

Recently, I reached out to my veteran benefits coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater auditing my charged credits and found out 12 credits were charged without my authorization.

I attend both the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Madison College. Madison College charged my benefit without my permission.

I notified Madison College I wanted to suspend my benefits and save them for UW Whitewater. From fall semester 2021 to summer semester 2022, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs did not receive communication from Madison College the benefit was suspended, who was charging me four credits per semester.

The 12 credit miscommunication costs roughly $5,000-worth of university tuition. 

Luckily, I have enough credits for fall semester, but I need 18 total for completion of my second major, corporate and health communication, which is this website.

The Outpost 422 public service announcement would like those who are using this benefit to check in and check out where you are at in the journey.

If you are a student dealing with this dilemma, make sure you reach out to your enrollment center and financial aid veterans’ representative before it’s too late.

Sadly, we are responsible for our college tuition tracking. There is no free lunch. 

Stay on top of your earned benefit. Keep checking back in on the outpost 422 website for updates regarding the development of my investigation.

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Bradley J. Burt

CEO-Outpost 422 Registered Trademark

“Serving veterans on the frontline of academia while advocating for POW MIA diversity, equity and inclusion through college research class projects.”