GI Bill to pay for instructor rating

[BUZO71]

Has anyone heard of a dive shop that has had the VA approve its instructor course for the GI Bill? I'm interested in using my GI Bill to do just that... any help would be appreciated

[thelawgoddess]

sounds pretty unlikely. maybe something like divers institute would qualify?

[Dmitchell]

There was a period of time that you could use VA Benefits to pay (reimburse) for the Instructor Examination ($440). I just went on the Padi Members site and it looks like you had to do the IE before 1/2004.


Dave

[Grateful Diver]

There was a period of time that you could use VA Benefits to pay (reimburse) for the Instructor Examination ($440). I just went on the Padi Members site and it looks like you had to do the IE before 1/2004.


Dave

Hmmm ... yet another example of our current administration showing support for our troops by cutting their benefits ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[Nwbrewer]

I think that may have more to do with PADI not wanting to deal with the paperwork involved than with the VA cutting the benefit.

When my wife was getting her stuff ready to go back to school, there were several options she looked into where the GI bill would have covered the training, but the school didn't want to deal with the hassle of the paperwork.

Jake

[CaptnJack]

Might be for the best if the VA sponsored career training where you can actually have a positive cash flow too...

[Dmitchell]

I think that may have more to do with PADI not wanting to deal with the paperwork involved than with the VA cutting the benefit.

Jake

PADI was all for it, it encourages more instructors which boosts their bottom line. Besides since it was a reimbursment, all PADI was issuing was the reciept. The instructor was required to work with the VA for the money.

[kwbyron]

go talk with your branch version of NAVY college, they should be able to help. Not to start a political debate, but a lot of the loss of benifits that my wife has seen has been a result of the previous administration and congress. We've actually seen an increase over the past 4 years, higher seperation pay is one example.

[BUZO71]

copy that, thanks for all the replies..... Yeah, I'd like to use some of the remaining monies for my diving but doesn't sound like it will work for that...

[kwbyron]

As I understand it...your GI bill just cuts you a monthly check as long as your enrolled in acceptable program. Another ID would be to enrol in a Associates degree program for buisness managment at the cheepist school you can find. You'll have more left over for "living expenses" and "education cost" and if your plan is to work/run a dive shop, I think scuba training would fall into this catagory.

[bnboly]

Try calling the Ft Lewis dive shop @ 253-967-3405. They might be able to help.