New GI Bill Doubles Vets' Education Benefits
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The new GI bill, called the Post-9/11 GI Bill, will more than double the amount of educational benefits available to veterans who have served on active duty in any branch of the U.S. military on or after Sept. 11, 2001. The bill was approved by Congress and signed into law by the President on June 30, 2008. Support increased in all three major components of the GI bill: tuition and fees, books and supplies, and housing.
The new bill will begin payments on August 1, 2009. In the meantime, it includes a 20 percent increase in the current GI Bill, to $1,321 a month, up from $1,101 a month, for veterans attending school until the new program takes effect.
Benefits will be tiered by length of service, with maximum benefits going to vets who have served three years (36 months) or more with an honorable discharge, or who were discharged because of a service connected disability after serving 30 days or more. Various kinds of discharges, such as hardship, are also included. Veterans who serve 30 days or more on active duty may be eligible for 40 percent or more of benefits, based on length of service.
GI bill education funding also covers people who have served on active duty with Reserve or National Guard units.
Veterans should check the latest eligibility information on the GI Bill ( http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm ) web pages on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs web site.. Provisions will be updated as further details of the new bill become available.
A vet must be a full-time student, usually defined as 12 hours per quarter or semester, for maximum benefits. Education or training programs lasting up to 36 months are eligible. The dollar amount allowed for tuition and fees are set by state, and will cover tuition and fees up to the amount charged by the most expensive in-state public institution of higher education in that state
Those who want to pursue training and education beyond high school may choose direct vocational education, or college degree programs including associate, bachelor and advanced degrees. On the-job and apprentice training is eligible, and reimbursement rates for them increased in January, 2008. Veterans can choose a variety of programs at schools approved by the Veterans Administration. ( http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/Search_Programs.ht )
GI bill funds may also be used for the costs of license or certificate tests required to practice an occupation. Examples include mechanic, medical technician, nurse, therapist, computer network engineer and web site developer. The VA site provides more information about this benefit and lists of licenses and certificates that have already been approved by state and by occupation. ( http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/LC_brochure.pdf
Tests required for applying or entering an educational program, such as the SAT and ACT for undergraduate and even the GRE and LSAT for graduate school may be covered.
Still more kinds of training, including small business and entrepreneur training available to veterans who already own businesses as well as those aspiring to start a business, and programs like work-study may be covered as well. The GI Bill site provides an overview of all benefit categories. ( http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/programs.htm )