South Mountain Villager

Ed Pastor

As part of November’s celebration of Veteran’s Day, I want to take this opportunity to salute America’s veterans, service men and women and their families. We are in debt to our men and women in uniform for the courage and bravery that they exhibit in battle and we recognize the sacrifices of their families.

I also want to use this opportunity to bring light to the new GI Bill for the 21^st Century passed by Congress last year, which is considered the most extensive educational assistance program authorized since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944. Educating our nation’s veterans is certainly a commitment we should keep to our courageous troops for their service to our country. They have earned the right to a bright future when they return home, and this bill restores the promise of a full, four-year college education. The original GI Bill launched millions of families onto a path to achieve the American dream, and my hope is that this bill will do the same or better.

On May 1, veterans were able to start applying for a certificate of eligibility for the new college benefits at the VA website, and these benefits started August 1, available to an estimated 2.1 million veterans.  The maximum benefit allows every eligible veteran, service member, Reservist and National Guard member an opportunity to receive an in-state undergraduate education at a public institution at no cost. Provisions include payments for tuition and fees, housing, and a stipend for books and supplies. Benefits are payable for training on or after Aug. 1, 2009. The tuition and fee benefit is paid directly to the school.  Some of the details for the program are below, but I encourage you to visit this website under the Department of Veterans Affairs for more information and to access an online application: www.GIBILL.va.gov.

Who is eligible?

You are eligible for benefits if you have completed at least 90 days of active duty service on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged. It also covers individuals discharged with a service connected disability after 30 days who were honorably discharged. The benefits are correlated on a sliding scale to years served. To receive full benefits, you must have served on active duty for three years.

Do I need to claim my benefits before a certain date?

You generally have 15 years following release from active duty to use the benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Can I transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to my spouse or children?

If you are a member of the Armed Forces on Aug. 1, 2009, the Department of Defense may offer you the opportunity to transfer benefits to your spouse or dependent children. While rules on transferability are still being finalized, for most service members, to transfer benefits to a spouse, you must have served six years and reenlist to serve at least four more. To give education benefits to a child, you must have served for at least 10 years.  More up-to-date information is available at www.GIBILL.va.gov.