Rising numbers of veterans benefiting from post-9/11 GI Bill

[Jenna]

Indeed, the housing allowance and the rest of the benefits offered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill are much more generous than those of its predecessor, the Montgomery GI Bill.

The new GI bill covers $17,500 worth of annual tuition for private schools and full tuition for public schools; the VA sends the checks out directly to the schools. Students can enroll for up to four years. GI Bill students can combine their military benefits with other forms of financial aid, like scholarships and loans.

Unlike the old bill, the new GI Bill can be applied to college or graduate studies, as well as technical schools, flight schools and training as a truck driver, barber or beautician. Another big difference: The new bill is open to not just veterans, but also to their dependents, as well as reservists and members of the National Guard.
Since the Post 9/11 GI Bill went into effect, the VA has paid out $17.2 billion worth of benefits to 702,576 beneficiaries. Noller says the agency boosted resources to clear out its backlog of applications, and is now processing 7,000 claims a day.

More here: http://money.cnn.com/2012/04/05/news...x.htm?iid=Lead

[Cidp24]

My stepson was just telling me about this. He intends to take advantage of the new bill and get a good education. He just re-upped for another 6 with the Air National Guard and he already has 3 active duty years.

[Jenna]