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Is Gi bill housing allowance in Manila higher than Subic?

17492 Views 24 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  M.C.A., 
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Hello everyone.I am a US army veteran and I'm new to this forum. I'm seeking guidance in regards to using my GI BILL/post 911 education benefits as to where would it benefit me more financially. If I rather go to school in Manila or other places. I did a little research in va.gov website and I learned that OSA (overseas allowance )is greater in Manila than anywhere else in the country.

I am not sure if OSA pertains to active duty service members only or also applies to veterans.
I read two conflicting statements. One says I will get $1368 fix rate monthly which is the BAH when you enroll in school in Philippines and the other one is the OSA which I will get over $1100 for housing , over $600 for utilities and over $100 for security in moving in.

What is the difference between OSA and BAH? Which one applies to me as a veteran. Or will I get both....

My main objective is to go to school where the rate is the highest as far as the living allowance.
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Gene and Viol said:
Hi and welcome,

If the amount paid out to you is or would be higher in Manila, I'm guessing that the reason would be a higher cost of living as well as tuition at schools than in other parts of the country. I think a personal visit with a VA officer is in order.
Also, unless you have spent a very long time in the Philippines in the past, it would be advisable to visit here before obligating yourself to years of schooling in a 3rd world country.


Gene
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Hello Gene and Viol

I took your advise and went ahead to see a Veteran officer at the RAO center which stands for Retired Activity Organization. I spoke with a retired navy who is the deputy director. He is as well attending college here in the Philippines so that really work out well with my intention coming down the office.
He walked me through the education system in the Philippines and most importantly the GI Bill. It does increase every year.
He said that it doesn't matter what place or school in the Philippines you will go or whatever rank that you retired. A captain or a private, you will get a flat rate of $1368 a month as you living expense here in the Philippines.
That info cleared up a lot of confusions on my part. Since I'm from Subic, I might as well pursue my degree here. Subic is a wonderful wonderful place by the way. If you will stay inside the former US naval base now called SBMA freeport zone is really nice. Almost all the convenience that you have back home you can buy here. Plenty of American products and food at reasonable prices.

I hope that my fellow veteran who's planning to use their GI Bill in the Philippines read this info that I gathered from our local RAO center.
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Hello,

Great food, bikinis over blue rock ,imported meat..I say HOOOAAHH!
Don't know a whole lot abt. Clark but I'll come down there in the future. Thanks again.
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Gi Bill

Mr & Mrs Cintron said:
I have a question Sir..My husband will be getting out of the army 2 weeks from now.he's only 27 years old and he's planning to live here for good. I read about the GI bill that you posted,& we was just talking about that,he said he doesnt know much how it works.Is he entitled with GI bill too? He's a cook and wants to get a culinary course here in the Philippines...please enlighten us about this topic.Thank you.
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Hello Mr and Mrs Cintron,

I'm glad that you read my post. I will answer your concern as thorough as possible. First thing first, before you move here in the island, tell your husband to get his Certificate of Eligibilty. I don't want you to hassle when you get here and and have to make calls to VA education in the states just to send your COE. Just like I did, it's not fun. It took almost two months for mine to arrive in the mail in the Philippines so plan accordingly. My other suggestion is to register at the VA website online and select premium member, that way you can request for your COE online and able to print it. That also will take weeks but not as long. Awsome tool, I wish I would have known that before I hassled my self getting mine. Now, when you have your certificate of eligibility you will bring that to your desired school and ask to talk to a VA official. If the university will accomodate a US veteran, there is always an officiating VA representative who is knowledgeable with the process. And that is it! BUT CAN'T STRESS IT ENOUGH, YOU HAVE TO BRING THAT COE OTHERWISE THE SCHOOL WILL NOT ENTERTAIN YOU.
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misconstrude premium membership

valbayuga said:
Hello Mr and Mrs Cintron,

I'm glad that you read my post. I will answer your concern as thorough as possible. First thing first, before you move here in the island, tell your husband to get his Certificate of Eligibilty. I don't want you to hassle when you get here and and have to make calls to VA education in the states just to send your COE. Just like I did, it's not fun. It took almost two months for mine to arrive in the mail in the Philippines so plan accordingly. My other suggestion is to register at the VA website online and select premium member, that way you can request for your COE online and able to print it. That also will take weeks but not as long. Awsome tool, I wish I would have known that before I hassled my self getting mine. Now, when you have your certificate of eligibility you will bring that to your desired school and ask to talk to a VA official. If the university will accomodate a US veteran, there is always an officiating VA representative who is knowledgeable with the process. And that is it! BUT CAN'T STRESS IT ENOUGH, YOU HAVE TO BRING THAT COE OTHERWISE THE SCHOOL WILL NOT ENTERTAIN YOU.
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Hello Gene Viol,

I apologize for the confusion. The Va.gov website is a great tool to view your benefits just like I do when I want to see my disabilty compensation if it get deposited to my bank or what not. The website also let you request for your discharge papers from the army DD214. And among other things that can help the veteran. But you have to register on the website first and it's for FREE. There are two option to register . A regular member and a premium membership. A premium membership allows you to request your certificate of eligibilty for your VA education benefits and print. For those who are regular members, they can upgrade to premium. Again FREE. Sorry for the confussion thou I didn't write that there is a fee to register nor I have stated that it's free.
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gi bill clarification

Gene and Viol said:
Thanks for the clarification on that as it is something I had not heard of before:D.

Gene
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No problem Gene and Viol. That's why we have this forum to help each other. For the young couple planning to use the GI BILL in the Philippines, Mr and Mrs Cintron.
I as well was stationed in Fort Polk, LA. I left 2007. WARRIOR'S BRIGADE.
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job for ex military in Philippines

Mr & Mrs Cintron said:
I have question again(lol)... I know,i tend to get annoying,too many questions...but thats how we learn right? Anyway,my question is(might be out of topic) is there any jobs here in the philippines for somebody who is out the army? thats one of my husbands fear... he's been in the army since he was 18 & now he's 27,he feels like it will be hard to adjust to civilian life...
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Hello MR and Mrs Cintron,

I got out 2007 and went back to my hometown in PA. I was unemployed for a year. I chose not to be in the workforce after two years back to back deployment in Iraq.Needless to say..I was just tired. Adjustment? YES big adjustment. It's gonna take awhile. It took me two years before it sink in. Job in Philippines..if you would settle for 5 to 7 dollars a DAY otherwise just reap the benefits of being just out of the army and collect. Take a break for a year, gather your thoughts,plan and be ready to be a civilian again.Oh..utility bills come rolling in when you are out of the barracks. bummer!
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Mr & Mrs Cintron said:
True,i agree with you...he was deployed in Iraq & he just came home from Afghanistan last October,theres a lot happened in Afghanistan that made him not want to extend more years in the army.as a wife,im relieved & all those worrying & sleepless night will be over.but yeah,i know he will have a hard time adjusting to civilian life but im here to support & help him all the way.he wasnt living in the barracks,he have a house off post so im pretty sure he's used to utility bills that comes every month.He wants to find a job here in the philippines,he dont wanna be away from us anymore,its wearing him down.im working as a teacher,ill be here to help support the bills...i may not make a lot but it does help..right now,he's really anxious to just be out & come home.he's actually counting down....9 more days,yay!

Sent from my iPhone using Expat Forum App
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Hello Mr and Mrs. Cintron,

That is great if you have a plan like that. Just help each other out for the time of adjustment. I know as an NCO myself it's frustrating not to get the same treatment in the civilian sector. You kinda loose the respect and people don't treat you the same way as when you are still wearing the uniform. Maybe it's just me, but your husband will feel it. Tell him not to loose it! Hahaha I promise everything will be in place in time. I enjoyed my stay when I was in Fort Polk because of friends but not the installation.
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