text: why is the montgomery g.i bill misleading? in my case the gi bill promised me $20,000 for school. so how come they dont just pay up front the $14,000 that it will take me to go to school? why do i have to pay out of my pocket? and then they repay me? also i'm going to a trade school that the va only considers 3/4 time. so they will only pay me $775 a month. that is not even half of the tuition cost in an 8 month period? why did i serve my country being promised this money for college and i'm having to pull student loans to pay for my college?? those are the games the government plays when you're getting "free" money.  i know, i know.  you worked for it.  well, this way you have to work to get what they promised and more than likely they won't have to pay out the full amount they promised.  plus there's no guarantee that the program will last the whole time it takes for you to get everything promised to you.  if congress decides they want to cut the benefits to save money, they can and will do that too.  so don't waste too much time getting what is owed to you.  just like everywhere else in life, you have to read the fine print.  the one time i got a nice chunk o' money from them was when they were short in my career field my first reinlistment and they offered me a nice bonus not to get out.  i took them up on the offer.  a bit over $6000 after taxes.  got me a used car and a nice 30% down payment on a mobile home.  poof!  all gone!