Nashville VA Office to Hand Out Emergency Checks to Students on GI Bill

Starting Friday, the Department of Veterans Affairs will hand out emergency checks to former service members held up in a backlog of funding requests under the new GI Bill. College-goers from all over Tennessee are expected to line up at the VA’s office in Nashville.

Veterans who show an ID and a class schedule can get checks for as much as $3,000 to cover book and housing stipends that have been delayed. The VA hasn’t been able to keep up with the 300,000 who’ve applied for benefits.

Tom Morrison of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission says the rush for emergency checks may be less in Tennessee.

“Basically, there’s a law that mandates veterans being able to receive fee deferments when they initially enroll in a school.”

The fee deferments last one semester. For those who need the emergency checks, funds will be deducted from future GI Bill payments.

At Middle Tennessee State University, 300 students are using the new GI Bill. Congressman Bart Gordon of Murfreesboro says no veteran should have to dip into their savings because of outdated technology and backed-up claims.

Veteran students can also apply for an emergency check online and receive it through the mail.

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