I would HIGHLY recommend going to your base education facility and talk with them before doing ANYTHING! There's a lot of confusion on this right now and there is a ton of stuff in flux...changing on a month to month basis. A couple of things of note:
1. You can't switch "some" money over to the 9/11 bill and keep your MGIB at the same time. If you want the 9/11 benefits, then you sign a form and they transfer ALL of your money over to the 9/11 program. You can NEVER switch it back...
2. 9/11 bill only applies to colleges of higher learning. You can't use the money to attend a trade school, or Vocational School, or like was mentioned above, attend a school to gain flight quals.
3. You also can't use the 9/11 for a distance education or on-line degree. You have to actually attend class at a University.
4. Like was mentioned above, if you have a family (wife and kids)...when you vow to do the 9/11 program, you need to put your ENTIRE family (only those currently enrolled in DEERs are eligible) on the roster for benefits AND assign at least a small portion of your money to them. Reason being, if you think you may give them some of your 9/11 benefits in the future, they need to be on the list that you submit when you ask to transfer programs (MGIB to 9/11). You can cancel their benefits at ANY time (they're getting scholarships now, you want to use the benefits for yourself, etc). But you can't add them at a later date.
5. Research the different programs before committing to the 9/11 program. It may make more sense to stick with MGIB money-wise. You get like $50,000 total with it. If you go to the 9/11 program, the benefits are completely different, as is the pay out. If you're on active duty and you or your family member uses the benefits, it only covers the tuition amount (and possibly only a portion of it a that). If you're no longer in the military, the person receiving the benefits will get BAH AND a book allowance too.
6. I believe MGIB and 9/11 is ONLY good for 10 years after you leave active duty. At 10 years, the benefits STOP...no matter if you're currently using them or not.
7. A kid must be like 18 in order to use the benefits, but can't be older than 26.
8. If you enrolled/enroll in MGIB and payed your $1200 and decide to go with the 9/11 program instead, you can get that $1200 back.
9. Did you know that with the MGIB, if you "plus up" your MGIB by paying $600 more, you're entitled to an increase of $5400 of benefits on top of the MGIB? You lose your $600 (and the $5400 addition) if you switch to 9/11.
10. If you already used the Reserve GI Bill (and possibly the MGIB) for the full 36 months (I think?), and you qualify for another program (MGIB for Reservists now Active Duty or 9/11 bill for those that already used the MGIB), you may qualify for an ADDITIONAL (not to exceed 48 months total) 12 months of benefits with the new program. So, although I used the Reserve GI Bill in college, now that I'm on Active Duty I qualify for the MGIB OR the 9/11 bill for 12 more months (if I make my $1200 buy-in...as well as the additional $5400 "plus up" if I pay $600 more). This I'm meeting with the education department over...should know for certain in the next few days.
The point is, you NEED to talk to a pro at the education office BEFORE you commit to the 9/11 program. It could cost you a ton!
There's a ton of stuff to be sure about before making an IRREVERSIBLE decision!
