Congressman Sander Levin

Expanding Education Opportunity

The new GI bill, which takes effect August 1, will provide veterans who have served since September 11, 2001 with benefits that cover the full cost of tuition up to the most expensive public college in each state and include a monthly housing stipend and $1,000 per year for books and supplies. For troops committed to serving at least ten years in the military, these benefits can be transferred to a service member's spouse or children.

The VA is now taking applications for those who want to begin school in August.

These increased educational benefits will help ease the transition to civilian life for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and will make an investment in the future of our troops and their families. Previously, the Montgomery GI Bill only covered 50 percent of the average cost of tuition and the benefits for Guard and Reservists were drastically less.

Generally, the measure provides up to four years of education benefits at a college or university for individuals with at least 90 days of active duty service on or after September 11, 2001 who have been honorably discharged from service. The benefits are correlated on a sliding scale to years served and to receive full benefits, you must have served on active duty for three years. This program will pay for:

• tuition and fees of up to the maximum in-state tuition and fees at a public institution in your state;
• a monthly housing allowance at the location of the school, based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents; and
• an annual books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000.

Spouses may use transferred benefits after 6 years of service, and dependent children after 10 years.

Apply for a certificate of eligibility now to start school this fall.

(Updated June 18, 2009)