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The Post-9/11 GI Bill
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. That measure takes effect on August 1st, 2009 and as of May 1st, 2009 veterans can begin to apply for a certificate of eligibility for the new college benefits at the VA website https://www.gibill.va.gov/.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill will become effective for training on or after August 1, 2009. This program will pay:
After World War II, the first G.I. Bill provided a college education and job training to nearly 8 million veterans, opening the door for millions of families to live the American Dream. This also helped to set the American economy on the right course after a draining war. It returned $7 to the economy for every $1 spent on it.
While Congress has passed a number of other GI bills that also provided educational benefits to veterans in recent decades, none of these provided benefits as expansive as the original GI bill. Current GI educational benefits pay only about 70 percent of a public college education and 30 percent of a private college education. The Post-9/11 GI Bill fully reestablishes full, four-year college scholarships for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans – equal with the educational benefits available after World War II.
This bill will make Iraq and Afghanistan veterans part of an American economic recovery, just as the veterans of World War II helped grow and strengthen the American middle class.
For more information or help:
Key Provisions
Increases education benefits for those who have served at least 3 months on active duty since 9/11
Under the bill, increased educational benefits would be available to all members of the military who have served for at least three months on active duty since September 11, 2001, including activated reservists and National Guard. Links educational benefits to amount of active duty served since 9/11
Under the GI Bill for the 21st Century, those who have served on active-duty for three years or more would qualify for the full educational benefit – i.e., the costs of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public school. Those who have served between three months and three years of active duty would qualify for a proportion of that full benefit – e.g., those serving on active duty for at least three months would receive 40 percent of that benefit and those serving on active duty for at least 12 months would receive 60 percent of that benefit. This scale rewards all active service, whether by regular component troops or by National Guard and Reservists. Covers up to the cost of the most expensive in-state public school
The GI Bill for the 21st Century allows veterans pursuing an approved program of education to receive payments covering the established charges of their program, up to the cost of the most expensive in-state public school – covering 100 percent of tuition, fees and books. The bill also provides a monthly stipend equivalent to housing costs in their area. It would allow additional payments for tutorial assistance, as well as licensure and certification tests. Yellow Ribbon Program - Matches voluntary contributions for more expensive schools
The GI Bill for the 21st Century also creates a new program in which the government will agree to match, dollar for dollar, any voluntary additional contributions from institutions whose tuition is more expensive than the maximum educational assistance provided under this legislation. Transfer to spouses and children
Because it is never just the soldier who serves his or her country, but rather his or her family as well, the education benefits can be transferred to service members' children and spouses if they have served six years or longer in the Armed Forces. Provides veterans more time to use educational benefit
The GI Bill for the 21st Century also provides veterans up to 15 years – instead of the current 10 – after they leave active duty to use their education assistance entitlement. Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
Additional Resourse
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