As a Vietnam War era veteran, I received most of my higher education using the (“old”) G.I. Bill—with extensions—and with the help of other military educational programs and assistance.
So, on Monday, I was delighted to hear President Obama welcome the extension of GI Bill education benefits to our post-9/11 veterans with these words:
While so many were reaching for the quick buck, they were heading out on patrol. While our discourse often produced more heat than light, especially here in Washington, they have put their very lives on the line for America. They have borne the responsibility of war.
He also said that helping our veterans with educational and housing assistance is more than “a moral obligation.”
During the heat of last year’s elections, the debate on the new GI Bill at times became more of a political football than a moral obligation, with—founded or unfounded—concerns being expressed about the cost of the program, about the possibility that many troops would leave the military to use the educational benefits, etc.
Fortunately, eventually our debt—and moral obligation—to our military and veterans prevailed and In July of 2008 President Bush signed the Post-9/11 GI Bill into law.
The Post 9/11 GI bill that went into effect on August 1, 2009, creates solid education and other benefits programs, and becomes the most robust and comprehensive education program since the World War II “GI Bill.”
The legislation is expected to cost up to $70 billion over the next decade, but as President Obama said Monday about the previous GI bill, “[it] paid for itself many times over through the increased revenue that came from a generation of men and women who received the skills and education that they needed to create their own wealth,”, and “it produced hundreds of thousands of scientists and engineers, doctors and nurses, the backbone of the largest middle class in history.”
According to USA Today:
First signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, the GI Bill helped provide college educations for up to 8 million veterans from World War II, creating a social and cultural revolution in the Baby Boom years that followed.
According to AP’s Kimberly Hefling in, “New GI Bill sending veterans to school this fall,”:
Many veterans who served after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are eligible for full tuition and fees for four years at a state university, a monthly housing stipend and up to $1,000 annually for books. Among those covered are members of the Guard and Reserve who spent three months or more activated for war service, giving them vastly improved benefits.
If they opt to attend a private institution or graduate program, they can receive aid up to the cost of a public college in the state. About 1,100 schools and colleges are offering additional scholarships for veterans that the VA is matching under a Yellow Ribbon program.
And,
It’s anticipated that 485,000 veterans or their family members could participate in the first year. About 112,000 claims have been processed so far, and more than 1 million callers have flooded a VA call center this year with questions. About 25,000 service members have applied to use the transfer benefit.
There are several sites on the Net that contain excellent details on the New GI Bill benefits.
Perhaps the best one is Military.com, where one can find details on:
Up to 100% Tuition and Fee Coverage
A Monthly Living (Housing) Stipend
Up to $1000 a year for Books and Supplies
A One Time Relocation Allowance
The Option to Transfer Benefits to Family Members
Other Benefits
Basic Eligibility Criteria
Other sites are:
Veterans Affairs Department: http://www.gibill.va.gov/
Defense Department: http://www.defenselink.mil/gibill
Nonprofit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America: http://newgibill.org/
But, as Military.com cautions, “Only the VA can verify your personal eligibility for GI Bill benefits. Be sure to call them at 1-888-GIBILL-1 if you have any questions about your eligibility status.”
