Reality TV has become the new phenomenon of interest over the past few years. It just seems like now anyone can come up with any stupid idea and get a fricken show and become famous overnight. Oh, and let's not forget about those wonderful MTV casters who appear on one show and then suddenly they are on all kinds of other "competitive" shows to win money. Do these people have jobs? A real life? Or am I just hating here?
Well, I'm not going to lie, I am a victim of this ridiculous trend myself, however, I am by no way shape or form obsessed with any of these shows to the point where I will not plan anything else because I might miss the show. What is that???? A few weeks ago I was at my moms getting together to celebrate my brother's girlfriends birthday and a few friends showed up (male and female) and next thing I know it's 9 or 10pm and ALL of them, the guys included were freaking out to turn on the TV because the new episode of the The Hills was on. Are you serious? THE HILLS??
What is it with people wanting to live vicariously through other people's lives? Why can't people live their own lives and make the best and the most out of their own life? Maybe we would see more change....more human progression. For instance, those that are Hollywood Celebrity obsessed. They can tell you everything that is going on in a celebrity's life, as IF they were all buddy buddy with that person and knew them personally and just got off the phone with them. Are you kidding me? You read it in a taboid magazine, ok ok maybe a legit magazine, but still what makes you believe that it's true?? Look what happened the other day...this is how wonderful the press is and the media that we so wholeheartedly rely on to get our current information.....this happened a few days prior to Clinton finally giving up, they announce all over the tv because the American Press gave the stamp of approval on this as legit information, that Clinton would be giving up that night. Next thing you know Clinton's advisors or whatever are calling every news station in the US telling them that this is false information. (she was going to wait a few more days before throwing in the towel, lol)
But after all is said and done, there is some great news about "reality" tv, but this is the real thing. How many of you have checked out CURRENT? It's an "Interactive cable channel where viewers send in video stories they've created to be aired on the network." Look it up online or check it out on TV; you would never believe who started it all either!! LOL!
1 comment:
Olle pass this information to all the people you know, plus keep me posted on how it went.
Saul
papitin13@hotmail.com
Benefits Start Date
This new GI Bill is set to go into affect on August 1, 2009. However, as with any new legislation, it could take some time for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin paying benefits. Benefits will not be paid for any training or education programs completed before July 31, 2009.
Eligibility for the New GI Bill
If you have served a total of at least 90 days on active duty in the Armed Forces you’re eligible. However, the amount of benefits you receive under this program are determined by the actual amount of accumulated post 9/11 service you have.
To be eligible for the full benefit, you must have three years of active duty service after 9/11 or have been discharged due to a service-connected disability.
If you are an officer who graduated from a service academy or received ROTC scholarships, you also qualify for the new GI Bill benefits. However, your ROTC/Service Academy associated obligated active-duty service time does not count toward the three years necessary to qualify for the full benefits.
Note: You didn’t have to opt-in for the Montgomery GI Bill to be eligible for this program.
See the complete eligibility details for further information.
New GI Bill Payment Rates
The Post 9/11 GI Bill will provide up to 100% of your tuition. In addition, the program provides a monthly housing stipend a stipend of up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies. If you attend less than full-time will receive a portion of the payment based on the number of units of study.
The amount of tuition and stipends paid under the Post 9/11 GI Bill will vary depending on your state of residence, number of units taken, and amount of post Sept. 11, 2001 active-duty service. Here is a quick reference showing the percentage of total combined benefit eligibility based on the following periods of post 9/11 service:
100% - 36 or more total months
100% - 30 or more consecutive days with Disability related Discharge.
90% - 30 total months
80% - 24 total months
70% - 18 total months
60% - 12 total months
50% - six total months
40% - 90 or more consecutive days
Tuition Rates
Under the new GI Bill you will be provided tuition up to the highest established charges for full-time undergraduate students charged by the public institution of higher education in the State in which you are enrolled.
One of the added features of this tuition payment plan is that the tuition will be paid directly to the school, relieving you of the responsibility. This is similar to the process used for military tuition assistance.
Based on 2008 in-state tuition rates, the anticipated annual tuition payment rate for 2009 will be just over $6,000. The low being Wyoming at $3,500 a year and Michigan which is the highest payment in-state tuition rate at $13,000.
Monthly Housing Stipend
If you are enrolled in a traditional college program as a full time or three-quarter time student, you will be paid a monthly housing stipend equal to the monthly amount of the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. The average housing stipend will be approximately $1,000 a month. However, if you attend distance learning programs such as correspondence courses and online you will not qualify for this stipend.
Book and Supply Stipend
You will receive a lump sum payment the first month of each quarter, semester, or term. The payment will help cover the cost of books, supplies, equipment, and other educational fees for that academic term. The payment amount will be equal to either a quarter or half of the annual $1,000 cap for that academic year, depending on how the academic year is divided – quarter or semester terms.
Benefits Expiration Date
Unlike the Montgomery GI Bill, the new GI Bill will allow you to use this benefit for up to 15 years after your last discharge or separation from active duty.
Licensing and Certification Payments
This new GI Bill will provide up to $2,000 to cover the cost of one licensing or certification test. This benefit is not charged against your 36 month entitlement.
Tutorial Assistance
Like the Montgomery GI Bill, the new GI Bill will provide up to a maximum of $1,200 for tutorial assistance. The program will pay up to $100 per month, for a maximum of 12 months. This benefit is not charged against your 36 month entitlement.
Benefit Transferability
According to a recent Stars and Stripes article, servicemembers who have served at least 10 years on active duty will be able to transfer their benefit to a spouse or dependent child. Spouses of servicemember who have served at least six years and agrees to another four-year contract can receive the money even sooner.
The transferred benefit will cover the cost of tuition only.
Benefits may be divided as long as they don't exceed 36 months of college classes. For example, a retired soldier can use half of the benefits to pay for a two-year degree program, then transfer the remaining half to a spouse or child.
College-age children of long-serving servicemembers could get a free college education starting fall 2009, provided they attend a state-backed school.
Comparing the Old and New GI Bill’s
The following table highlights the differences between the Montgomery GI Bill and the New GI Bill.
Montgomery GI Bill
Chapter 30
Post 9/11 GI Bill
Proposed - Chapter 33
Payment Rate for
Full-Time Student
Annually set - nationwide - monthly payment rate. Set to increase to $1321 for 2008-2009. Paid to the student each month.
A payment indexed to full in-state tuition for public schools. A lump sum paid directly to the school each term. The national average for in-state tuition in 2008 is $6,185.
Duration of Program
36 Month entitlement.
36 Month entitlement.
Additional expense
payments
No additional payments for expenses.
Living Expenses - stipend based on local BAH for E-5 with dependents – paid monthly avg. amount app. $1,000 a month.
Books and Fees - Up to $1,000 a year.
Eligibility Requirements
Those who entered service the military after June 30, 1985.
Active-duty service since Sept. 11, 2001.
VEAP-era
Eligibility
No - Except those who elected to convert in the past.
Yes – those who meet the eligibility criteria above.
Benefit Expiration
10 Years after separation or discharge.
15 Years after discharge or separation.
Transfer benefits
to families
Limited - Currently Limited to Army for Critical MOS only.
Yes
Enrollment fee
Yes - $1,200
None - Those who have not yet completed paying their $1,200 for the MGIB may elect to stop further payment.
Affects on Existing GI Bill Benefits
If you are already enrolled in the Montgomery GI Bill and also meet the criteria for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, you have the option to transfer your remaining MGIB benefits to the new program.
For many veterans this will be a good option. However, due to the tuition limits set by this new GI Bill, many veterans who are pursuing a post-graduate degree may find the MGIB better suits their needs. This is also true for those students pursuing an online degree, as this new benefit will not pay the housing stipend to students enrolled in distance learning programs.
Further Eligibility Details:
You qualify for 100% of the benefit if you have a total of at least 36 months on active duty in the Armed Forces. This includes service on active duty for entry level and skill training.
You qualify for 100% of the benefit if you have a total of at least 30 continuous days on active duty in the Armed Forces; and after completion of service were discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces for a service-connected disability.
You qualify for 90% of the benefit if you have a total of at least30 months, but less than 36 months, on active duty in the Armed Forces.
(including service on active duty in entry level and skill training).
You qualify for 80% of the benefit if you have a total of at least 24 months, but less than 30 months, on active duty in the Armed Forces.
(including service on active duty in entry level and skill training).
You qualify for 70% of the benefit if you have a total of at least 18 months, but less than 24 months, on active duty in the Armed Forces.
(excluding service on active duty in entry level and skill training).
You qualify for 60% of the benefit if you have a total of at least 12 months, but less than 18 months, on active duty in the Armed Forces.
(excluding service on active duty in entry level and skill training)
You qualify for 50% of the benefit if you have a total of at least 6 months, but less than 12 months, on active duty in the Armed Forces.
(excluding service on active duty in entry level and skill training)
You qualify for 40% of the benefit if you have a total of at least 90 days, but less than 6 months, on active duty in the Armed Forces.
(excluding service on active duty in entry level and skill training)
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