Neil's Notebook New GI Bill benefits effective Aug. 1
August 3, 2009
On August 1, veterans started receiving college education benefits under the new GI Bill for the 21st Century (the “Post-9/11 GI Bill”). An estimated 2.1 million members of the military who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, including activated reservists and members of the National Guard, will be eligible for up to four years of education benefits, including stipends for housing and books.
“I co-sponsored the legislation creating the GI Bill to put our money where our mouth is. It restores the promise of a full, four-year college education for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and makes them part of an American economic recovery, just like the veterans of World War II,” says Congressman Neil Abercrombie. “It’s a down payment on the debt we owe the men and women we’ve sent to war.”
Last year, Congress enacted the new GI Bill for the 21st Century (the “Post-9/11 GI Bill”) to restore the promise of a full, four-year college education for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, making them part of the economic recovery. On May 1st, veterans were able to start applying for a certificate of eligibility for the new college benefits at the VA website https://www.gibill.va.gov/. And this year, Congress extended those college benefits to all children of fallen soldiers (with no minimum military service needed to qualify).
“Sixty-five years ago, a grateful nation offered a generation of World War II heroes the chance to go to college,” President Obama said. “The original GI Bill paved the way to a better life for millions of veterans and their families while building the foundation of the American middle class. Today, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is affording a new generation of heroes a 21st century version of that same opportunity.”
“The President and I know that the nation’s courageous service members and their families have shouldered the heaviest burden for our country’s security and safety over the past eight years,” VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said. “This new GI Bill is a way for a grateful nation to tangibly demonstrate our heartfelt appreciation and abiding respect for their service.”
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 the total months 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.
These benefits are generally payable for up to 15 years following release from active duty.
All of the children of service members who have died on active duty since 9-11-01 qualify for the full education benefit, regardless of the length of military service of their parent; these benefits expire 15 years after the 18th birthday of surviving military children.
A fact sheet on the new GI Bill from the Department of Veterans Affairs is available by clicking here.
