New GI Bill Education Benefits Start August 1

“Every state has pride in its veterans and active duty soldiers, but none surpasses the Volunteer State in our respect for those who protect us. We have a responsibility to serve those who bravely served us,” Congressman Cohen said. “This full college education benefit for recent veterans will expand job opportunities for them, and strengthen our economy – just as the original GI Bill allowed the Greatest Generation to become doctors, lawyers, and teachers after World War II. I’m equally proud that Congress extended these benefits to the children of fallen service members who have died since September 11, 2001 – after all, who could be more deserving of our support than children whose moms or dads have died in military service to our nation? ”

Ninth District Soldiers, Sailors, Air Men, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, including activated reservists and members of the Tennessee National Guard, will be eligible for up to four years of education benefits, including stipends for housing and books. 

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). 

Generally, the Post 9/11 GI Bill 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.

To learn more about the benefits, and to calculate the amount of educational assistance one could receive, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association has developed a benefits calculator available at http://www.newgibill.org/calculator

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________________________
Steven Broderick
Communications Director
Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9)
1005 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Direct: 202-226-7916
Main: 202-225-3265
steven.broderick@mail.house.gov