GI Bill SCUBA

[RickJames]

Any U.S. vets on here use GI Bill to obtain any SCUBA training or certifications? Just curious if it was even possible. I have looked on the GI bill website and had no luck.

 

[gnwes]

Closest thing I have found is the commercial dive academy in Jacksonville that offers the Naui instructor program... but the GI Bill only pays out monthly... and the class is about one month and tuition is way more than a one month payout of the GI bill so you owe the difference. If you can find something better then I'm all ears because if I could pay for an instructor cert entirely via the GI Bill... I would do it in a heartbeat.

Wes

 

[gnwes]

Dive CDA - Florida's Largest Diving School

Looks like there is some stuff from CDA different from the last time I checked and they do work with the VA...

Wes

 

[sglake]

Check out "the dive station" . Then call Kieth Mattson. He's located in Orlando and I believe some of his courses are eligible for veterans benefits! He's also quite the character to talk to !!

 

[Paco]

I understand that the VA will pay for the IE, it you go the instructor route.

 

[Paco]

Actually, they reimburse, I believe, even if you have to take it more than once.

 

[Capt Grumby]

I went down a similar rabbit-hole a year and half ago, however, I was looking at Tuition Assistance paying for my stuff. I am guessing that the GI Bill won't help unless you find someone who will do some very creative billing. Remember that it is administered by the VA and everything will come out of pocket initially.

Follow the link and read the short thread about what I found (or more accurately, didn't find). You will see that some PADI and SSI classes are accredited. The problem comes with who gives the class and how the VA calculates payment for semester hours.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/161980-college-credit-accreditation.html

Good Luck, and keep us posted.

 

[gnwes]

I went down a similar rabbit-hole a year and half ago, however, I was looking at Tuition Assistance paying for my stuff. I am guessing that the GI Bill won't help unless you find someone who will do some very creative billing. Remember that it is administered by the VA and everything will come out of pocket initially.

Follow the link and read the short thread about what I found (or more accurately, didn't find). You will see that some PADI and SSI classes are accredited. The problem comes with who gives the class and how the VA calculates payment for semester hours.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/161980-college-credit-accreditation.html

Good Luck, and keep us posted.

Why would you say that they need to do creative billing? Are you saying that CDA is lying about the VA paying for the training?

 

[Don Wray]

From the PADI website:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Instructor Examination Fee Reimbursement
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] PADI has obtained approval from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for qualified veterans, active military personnel and some dependents to be reimbursed the US $440 Instructor Examination (IE) fee. This reimbursement is available under the VA Licensing and Certification Tests Benefit program.
[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The following explanation and links provide you the details on this U.S. veteran benefit. For Course Directors, this is an exciting new opportunity to further promote and enhance your instructor training business. For additional information or specific questions, contact Mal Fousek.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Where do I find the general information for this benefit on the VA website?[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The overview pages for the Licensing and Certification Testing Benefit program are Licensing and Certification Tests - (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) and [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]www.gibill.va.gov/education/LCweb/search.asp[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Where are the specifics of the PADI IE approval on the VA website?
The search feature under the Licensing and Certification Tests page on the VA website has three different search options. Any of the three will bring up the PADI IE information.
[/FONT] [/FONT]

• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
  [*][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Search Option 1, Organizations by State: Enter “CA” and “Go!”. Then click on “Professional Association of Diving Instructors”[/FONT]
  [*][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Search Option 2, First Letter of the Organization: Enter “P” leave States as “All” and “Go!”. Then click on “Professional Association of Diving Instructors”.[/FONT]
  [*][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Search Option 3, Keyword: “PADI”, “OWSI”, “diving”, “scuba” and “Instructor Examination” are all keywords that will take the viewer to the information on PADI IE reimbursement.[/FONT] [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
From what date is the reimbursement effective?
[/FONT] [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The PADI IE approval for reimbursement was approved on 26 January 2004, retroactive to 1 March 2001. However, in order to qualify for reimbursement, the request must be submitted within one year of taking the IE. (This means that individuals who took an IE between 1 March 2001 and 25 January 2003 can only be reimbursed if they had previously applied for reimbursement and been denied solely because the PADI IE was not an approved test). Course Directors, we recommend you contact past graduates of your programs who might be eligible for this reimbursement and provide them with incentives to use this money to enhance their professional credentials through your instructor continuing education programs. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Can all veterans, active military personnel and dependents receive this reimbursement?
No, only those individuals who qualify for the benefit. For details, go to Who is eligible for the Licensing and Certification benefit?

How does a qualifying individual go about submitting a request for reimbursement?
The VA’s website provides specific instructions on what needs to be submitted. The sample application on the website also identifies which VA Regional Office should receive the request, depending on the where the IE occurred. For detail, go to How do I apply for reimbursement of a test?

Must a candidate successfully complete the IE in order to qualify for reimbursement?
No! Applicants can be reimbursed whether they pass or fail the IE. For details, see Must I pass the test?

Can a candidate already reimbursed for a failed IE be apply for reimbursement of subsequent IE’s?
Yes! For details, go to Can I retake a test? and What is the maximum amount I can receive for a test?

Can an individual receive the reimbursement if they attend an IE occurring outside the U.S. and it’s territories?
Yes! Individuals who attend IEs held in other countries should submit their applications for reimbursement to the VA’s Regional Office in Buffalo, NY. For details, see Are tests in foreign countries approved?
[/FONT] [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Are there any materials available to help me promote this benefit to potential IDC candidates?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Yes! The VA has developed an informational brochure. To view and/or print the brochure, you will need Adobe Reader 6.x or higher installed on your computer.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Is PADI promoting this benefit? [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Yes! PADI’s has initiated a promotional campaign that includes a widespread announcement effort with broadcast emails to Divemasters, announcements in PADI’s various email newsletters and press releases to the dive media and U.S. military publications. These efforts are designed to motivate qualified individuals to seek out Career Development Centers, 5 Star Instructor Development Centers, Gold Palm Instructor Development Centers and Course Directors.[/FONT][/FONT]

 

[Capt Grumby]

Why would you say that they need to do creative billing? Are you saying that CDA is lying about the VA paying for the training?

Wes, I am in no way implying that they engage in less-than-ethical business practices. My reply was to the OP and had nothing to do with your post. If they have figured out a way to navigate the VA's GI Bill requirements, that's awesome!

What I have found is that there is usually one of two major obstacles to making this happen: 1. The student has a job/family/life elsewhere, and cannot devote the time
required for an "in-resident" course. 2. The cost vs the "hours" does not add up to meet the requirement set forth by the funding institution (VA). It always costs more than they are willing to pay.

These are just my observations from my own search to get all the training I could. BTW, the only stuff I found that even looked remotely possible were Tech courses, in residence, or IDC's, again in residence.

From the PADI website:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Instructor Examination Fee Reimbursement[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]PADI has obtained approval from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for qualified veterans, active military personnel and some dependents to be reimbursed the US $440 Instructor Examination (IE) fee. This reimbursement is available under the VA Licensing and Certification Tests Benefit program. [/FONT]

While $440 reinbursement of the test fee is a help, that is only a small part of the overall cost involved. I would also question the local VA rep what taking that reimbursment does to any other opportunities you may find. For instance, is that a one-time testing fee that precludes access to any other testing or certification fee?

I'm not trying to be negative here folks, just playing devil's advocate. I got shot down so bad when I was doing this that I want to arm people with some questions they can ask upfront. Sometimes it's the things you don't ask that get you in trouble, especially with the Govt!