New GI Bill Close to Final Approval

by: Brandon Friedman

Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 14:25:03 PM EDT

The new GI Bill passed the House on Thursday and now goes back to the Senate for another vote, where it will pass. At that point, Commander Guy gets his chance to veto it, but he's already stated that he will not. This is because the Congress pretty much decided to give him a blank check on war funding through the rest of his term in office.

Rick Maze at the Military Times offers a summary of what we're getting:

The package is designed to fully cover the cost of completing four years of college - including tuition and fees, books and living expenses - and to let career troops share those benefits with dependents. The new "GI Bill for the 21st Century" will offer a benefit worth an average of $80,000, double the GI Bill's current value.
The new benefit would pay up to the in-state rate for tuition and fees for the most expensive four-year public college or university in the state where a veteran attends school.
The package also includes a monthly living stipend, an annual book allowance, and money for tutorial assistance, along with many other features.

At this point it gets complicated, however, in terms of how they're going to actually implement this thing. But for all of you affected by this, Maze explains:

Benefits increases take effect as soon as the war funding bill is signed into law by President Bush, which will happen in the next few weeks. But veterans now in school will not get the higher amounts right away because lawmakers are giving the Veterans Affairs Department until Aug. 1, 2009, to calculate and pay amounts that will vary by state and by school. Retroactive payments will have to be made.
Also, anyone who had not previously enrolled in the GI Bill will have to wait until Aug. 1, 2009, to collect any payments.

This is outstanding news. You'll have to wait a while for your money, but you'll get it back next year. Also, the new bill does include transferability to family members, though the amount is based on time in service.

Congratulations are in order to everyone who worked hard to make this happen.

Brandon Friedman :: New GI Bill Close to Final Approval

Tags: GI Bill, Jim Webb, (All Tags)

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New GI Bill Close to Final Approval | 7 comments

This is great news (4.00 / 1)

This means that when military people transition to the civilian sector they will BE ABLE to go to college and get a good education towards a real career, instead of just getting out and going straight to work (in my case) at a lower paying job. It also means we will be better able to contribute to our communities back home. The fact is that the money for the war would have been appropriated at some point and this bill will not only help veterans but also help the Country get back on track. I have to say that I am proud to know that votevets.org had a lot to do with the "Post 9/11 GI Bill" getting to where it is today. Great job people!

by: khurd77 @ Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 20:21:40 PM CDT

Great stuff (4.00 / 1)

This is a great development for all veterans.

by: FredUSMC @ Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 21:10:45 PM CDT

A Real Good Report on the G.I. Bill (0.00 / 0)

Was on CBS 'Sunday Morning' just a short time ago

How The GI Bill Changed America

Sunday Morning: Legislation For Servicemembers Returning From WWII Now Updated For A New Generation Of Vets

Waiting to see of the video comes up but I don't hold hope on that, they do a good job most of the time but with Sunday Morning they seem to not want to post up the real good report video's.

The link above gives you the written, and if video does come up should be attached to it later.

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

by: jimstaro @ Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 09:06:59 AM CDT

Glory Glory Hallalujah (0.00 / 0)

Thank God this is happening. I am so happy for all the soldiers like my son and all you other wonderful ones!!! Make it happen!!!! Educate so there are no more mindless wars created by profiteers. God Bless you all.

I have to believe that something extraordinary is possible. (Mrs. John Nash)

by: matthewsmom @ Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 17:31:29 PM CDT

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR (0.00 / 0)

RETROACTIVE payments?!?! I suppose beggars can't be choosers, but A) I need the money now and B) Getting retroactive pay from the gov't seems almost an exercise in futility.

Oh well...good luck to the people who will start their GI Bill next year.

"For those people who would rather thump their chests and say that [vets who speak out] don't know anything or that these people are cowards or anything along those lines, they can go to hell" - Luis Montalvan

by: captsfufp @ Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 20:08:28 PM CDT

This is great news. (0.00 / 0)

I hate that they had to tie it in with the war funding, but at least it is getting pushed through.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

by: Chris LeJeune @ Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 23:06:13 PM CDT

Congrats on your marriage, Brandon! (0.00 / 0)

by: djtyg @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 05:34:53 AM CDT

New GI Bill Close to Final Approval | 7 comments

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