New GI bill improves aid for education

Money increased for tuition, added for housing, books, school supplies

By Don Kramer, Northwest Guardian

President George W. Bush signed a new version of the GI Bill into law on June 30, one that represents the most comprehensive change in education benefits since the program’s inception in 1944.

Those serving since Sept. 11, 2001 will be eligible for more money for higher education and related expenses under the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008.

“This was long overdue,” said Kathleen Connelly, education services officer at the Fort Lewis Education Center. “This has a lot to do with the lobbying efforts by our Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. Their influence had a lot to do with getting this passed.”

The new bill, which goes into effect Aug. 1, 2009, will cover for many veterans all tuition and fees, compared to recent versions of the Montgomery GI Bill that only “helped” with college expenses. Tuition benefits will vary among states, since they are based on fees charged by the most expensive college or university in the state where the service member applies. Two other types of education costs are reimbursed under the new law. Monthly housing allowances and $1,000-per-year stipends for books and supplies will be doled out in addition to tuition fees.

Reserve and National Guard members who have been activated for more than 90 days since 9/11 will have access to the same benefits that start at 40 percent and run to 100 percent after only three years of active service. Serving on active duty more than six months but less than 12 earns a 50 percent benefit, with the graduated scale topping out at 36 months of benefits for 36 months of service.

Service members discharged because of service-connected disabilities need only have served 30 days to receive 100 percent of the new Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

A Veteran’s Administration pamphlet published the day the measure was passed, titled “The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008,” contains the graduated percentages of benefits per months on active duty, after answering a list of frequently asked questions about coverage and eligibility.

Tuition and fees will go directly to the college or university, rather than to the service member as previously under the MGIB. The monthly living allowance, on the other hand, will flow directly to students no matter where they live. The amount will be computed at the local Basic Allowance for Housing rate for married E-5s. Students enrolled in online courses or those already drawing housing allowances are not eligible.

The third payment — $1,000 per year for books and supplies — will be divided and paid to students at the start of each quarter or semester.

The estimated total Post-9/11 benefits in a given service member’s first year will average about $2,100 a month, according to Keith M. Wilson, director of education service for the Veterans Benefits Administration, who gave an interview July 2 to syndicated military writer Tom Philpott.

Current benefits under the MGIB will increase 20 percent Aug. 1, 2008 to $1,321 maximum per month for a full-time student. For service members on active duty or drill status when the program takes effect next year, benefits may be transferred to spouses or children, though not to individuals retired or separated from service on that date.

Philpott reported that “the new law says transferability can be offered to members with at least six years of service who agree to serve at least four more years. But it also gives the secretary of defense authority to change those requirements or even to elect to not offer transferability if it proves to be ineffective for retaining quality service members.”

Wilson said the intention is to offer transferability widely to anybody who qualifies.

“The key here is that the Department of Defense determines eligibility,” Wilson told Philpott.

Even though the Post 9/11 GI Bill is law, details of the program continue to be refined. Those seeking more specific or the most recent information should check the official Web site at www.gibill.va.gov or call 1- (888) GIBILL-1 between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. Pacific time.