The GI Bill - Education Benefits for Our Veterans

As a US Navy vet, I used the the GI Bill to the fullest extent for my education. For the version that I received, it paid for most of my college expenses. Fortunately, I didn't go to expensive schools.

Contrary to most peoples' understanding or opinion, the GI Bill usually would not be able to pay for all of the college expenses.

I know a number of vets that didn't take advantage of the short sign-up period in their first couple months of enlisting. They really regretted it later when they did want to go to college.

The GI Bill is a beautiful thing!

Because the US military is normally an all-volunteer force, it is very important that we give our prospective military candidates an a great incentive to join.

As the United States takes part in conflicts in other countries, and helps our citizens with floods, famine, or other internal problems, we must have a strong, intelligent group of soldiers to replenish those that have served their country ended their enlistment.

The GI Bill is the very best incentive to join the military. It attracts the best and the brightest, as they hope to further themselves after their time is up.

- Citizen soldier

The GI Bill was originally known as the GI Bill of Rights. GI being short for "Government Issue", which is a self-effacing old joke directed toward the veteran.



The GI Bill has changed over the years, since being passed into law in 1944. The 1944 version paid tuition assistance directly to the college in which the veteran attended. In 1952 Congress changed the payment structure to go toward the veteran directly.

The decision to end the direct tuition payments to schools came after a 1950 House select committee uncovered incidents of overcharging of tuition rates by some institutions under the original G.I. Bill in an attempt to defraud the government.

Over the next fifteen years, until 1967, huge battles were fought within Congress and the military to increase the benefits to help veterans afford college. Eventually, the veteran received as much as $311 per month toward college.

As the funding levels increased, the numbers of veterans entering higher education rose correspondingly. In fact, it was not until 1976, fully ten years after the first Vietnam veterans became eligible, that the highest number of Vietnam-era veterans were enrolled in colleges and universities.

To be eligible, a veteran had to have served for more than 180 days and received an "other than dishonorable discharge." Normally, this means an Honorable or Medical Discharge.

In order to enlist, the minimum age for enlistment in the United States Military is 17 (with parental consent) and the maximum age is 35 (Note: Congress changed this to age 42 in 2006). This is per federal law 10 U.S.C., 505.

In return, eligible veterans receive a generous tuition allowance and a monthly stipend for up to 36 months of eligible training or education, which is the rough equivalent of a bachelors degree.

There is fantastic news for the active duty members of the military. Their benefits have substantially increased. Even better, their educational benefits can be passed to their dependents!

"If you are a member of the Armed Forces on August 1, 2009, the Department of Defense (DoD) may offer you the opportunity to transfer benefits to your spouse or dependent children. Please contact DoD or your military service branch for more information."

"Approved training under The Post-9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, and vocational/technical training. All training programs must be offered by an institution of higher learning and approved for purposes of chapter 30. Additionally, tutorial assistance, and licensing and certification test reimbursement are approved under the Post- 9/11 GI Bill.

If you are also eligible for chapter 30, 1606 or 1607, you may be eligible to pursue training for on-the-job training, apprenticeship, correspondence, flight and preparatory courses under the Post-9/11 GI Bill."

The current normal amount for college: $47,566!

For more information, go to the Veterans Affairs site.