I have posted on other older forums related to this a couple months ago. It seems as though the story has changed for me, yet again.
Originally, my recruiter said to me that I could choose either the loan repayment (28,000 after taxes) for 3 years comittment or a bonus (~23,000 after taxes). I chose the loan repayment. No matter what It would all be for loan repayment anyway. He said that I will know whether or not I'll get the loan repayment prior to this summer. I submitted my application for this in early January. My recruiter has always said that if I don't get he loan repayment I can always try for the bonus.
As of a couple months ago, I was put on an alternate list. Then my paperwork needed to be resubmitted last month because some info that my recruiter filled out related to months and years of comittment was incorrect. He said that it seems hopeful being that they've obviously looked at it, which means they could be reviewing my case.
Then I talked to him last month. Now he's saying that I most likely will NOT know whether I am getting the loan repayment prior to swearing in. He said that I may know a couple days prior to COT. IF I don't get it then we can always switch to the Bonus. My COT starts 08/23/10.
This all is starting to sound fishy to me. Do recruiters make more $$ if they get you to take a bonus over loan repayment? Why does it seem that the story is constantly changing? I do really want to know prior to swearing in if I'm going to have to do more than 3 years active. My recruiter keeps pushing the bonus at me. All the while, I'm feeling like I'm getting the shaft. Isn't there a chance that they'll run out of bonus money as well. Then what??? I sign for 4 years for nothing? Yes I do understand the other perks (ie tax free income, free medical, and etc.) of going into the USAF. I'm also extremely patriotic. But please don't try to guilt me into being okay with nothing like my recruiter has already tried. "You're not joining the Air Force just for Loan repayment or the Bonus, Are you?" I'm not okay with this if I know that others have gotten the 3yr/$28,000 and I'm getting nothing. Now he's saying that people would "Kill" for my spot in COT. Making it sound like I should be thankful that I have my spot. (Hey I started this whole process over a year ago so that I'd have this spot. Please don't try to use this to guilt me too!)
I was told in times past not to worry about this and to worry more about COT. Well I can't help but worry about this. This is MY Life and no one else is going to have to pay the $750/mo. my loans will cost me for 10 years without the loan repayment, except for ME. Thus I am a bit freaked.
Sorry I rambled on and on about this. Is anyone else in this situation?
I'm talking about the Air Force - THERE'S the disconnect - I have no idea what the Army's doing. This is an Air Force thread; I didn't know you were Army.
What I'm referencing is only true for the Air Force.
You know I was told the same thing regarding three years (no bonus and loan repayment). The recruiter even was the one to suggest three over four years. I will ask him to put it nin writing before I sign....it just makes me wonder what else I may be overlooking or forgetting to get in writing...
You know I was told the same thing regarding three years (no bonus and loan repayment). The recruiter even was the one to suggest three over four years. I will ask him to put it nin writing before I sign....it just makes me wonder what else I may be overlooking or forgetting to get in writing...
I hate to say this, but I believe your recruiter's confused. 3 years, you get nothing. 4 years, bonus only, $30K. 6 years, both. The chat on airforce.com confirmed it for me so far, and if I get a chance I'll buzz Randolph tomorrow. (Again, don't anyone else do this - I know who I can call.)
Below's the screen shot I took of the convo with airforce.com (finally figured out how to post it!) just so everyone knows I didn't alter anything. Again, that convo was yesterday afternoon.
I just found out that for FY2010 there is no more money for the bonus or the student loan repayment. I am sure someone on this site mentioned it but just in case some missed the post I thought I would mention it again. Also, the April/May boards are in. So anyone waiting to hear back should hear from their recruiter this week (unless someone is in some kind of special circumstance).
The student loan repay has been gone for a while - BUT they said the same thing to me last year and I ended up with it at COT. So don't give up hope on that one.
I just found out that for FY2010 there is no more money for the bonus or the student loan repayment. I am sure someone on this site mentioned it but just in case some missed the post I thought I would mention it again. Also, the April/May boards are in. So anyone waiting to hear back should hear from their recruiter this week (unless someone is in some kind of special circumstance).
Wow, that is definitely news to me about them being out of bonus money. I knew the loan repayment funds have been dry for a while. They usually get leftover money from other programs that don't exhaust them, so there is still hope.
Did you hear results from the board last week? The April board got pushed off until May 17th, so they would have just been done last week.
What sort of retention bonus does the AF currently offer? If any (outside any of the ISP). When you resign for additional years, do you select 3,4,or 6? Do you have any leverage on base selection??
Wow, that is definitely news to me about them being out of bonus money. I knew the loan repayment funds have been dry for a while. They usually get leftover money from other programs that don't exhaust them, so there is still hope.
Did you hear results from the board last week? The April board got pushed off until May 17th, so they would have just been done last week.
My paperwork went to the April boards and I just found out I am in. I am assigned to Lackland. I was told if I want the bonus I will have to wait to go to COT in Jan 2011. If I decline the bonus I can go to COT in August. I am probably going to decline the bonus. I don't have any student loans to pay off or any debt of any kind (I worked really hard after college to make that happen, lots of overtime), so I don't really need the money. It would be nice to have but I don't spend much money either so I feel it is pointless to wait around to get money when all I want to do is start the process and get COT over with.
The reason I was asking is because my stuff was at the April board which then got pushed to May. There wasn't a designated May board, but they just pushed all the applicants to May and that is the last board until September.
I understand just wanting to leave and get started. The money is nice but if you are financially secure then just as well. There will be other bonus programs. Do you just have a 3 year commitment then if you don't take any bonus? Best of luck to you.
The reason I was asking is because my stuff was at the April board which then got pushed to May. There wasn't a designated May board, but they just pushed all the applicants to May and that is the last board until September.
I understand just wanting to leave and get started. The money is nice but if you are financially secure then just as well. There will be other bonus programs. Do you just have a 3 year commitment then if you don't take any bonus? Best of luck to you.
Since I am not taking the bonus it will probably be the three years. If I really like being in the Air Force or decide it is time for me to pursue CRNA I will stay in and wll probably take advantage of a resign bonus at that time. I was just informed I was accepted so I have not signed any paperwork yet.
I wasn't aware that the April boards were pushed to May. That is news to me.
Carolinapooh- Do you have any suggestions on where to live in San Antonio?
So, bonus and loan reimbursements are taxed. Is it just Federal Tax? or does the State try to get their greedy share? I am considering claiming FL as my HOR as I currently live in the money grubbing PA...
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carolinapooh, BSN, RN
3,577 Posts
I'm talking about the Air Force - THERE'S the disconnect - I have no idea what the Army's doing. This is an Air Force thread; I didn't know you were Army.
What I'm referencing is only true for the Air Force.