New GI Bill Brings College Benefits to New Vets
Aug. 25, 2009 — -- Among my many life experiences, I cannot count a moment of military service. Neither in peace nor in war did I serve.
Over the years, however, I've come to know a number of military families, including some who lost loved ones in Iraq or Afghanistan. As a result, I've come to the conclusion that there's not enough we can do to recognize the sacrifices of these folks, from the parents to the spouses to the service members themselves.
Quite frankly, it sometimes astounds me what they have given up.
That's why I think the Post-9/11 GI Bill is one of the best things to come out of Washington in years. It's about time we came close to matching the original GI Bill that sent millions of World War II veterans to college and paved their way to the middle class.
The new GI Bill took effect Aug. 1, meaning many of its first beneficiaries will begin their academic careers in the weeks ahead. Applications for the program are being taken now by the Department of Veterans Affairs. You can also find several publications and detailed explanations for many different scenarios.
The basic benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill:
These are the basic benefits for veterans who completed their military service. The benefits are somewhat different for active duty personnel, including no cap on tuition payments but an exclusion from the monthly housing allowance.
