Bill will make a four-year college education more accessible to Kentucky’s veterans
WASHINGTON (August 04, 2009)—On Saturday, August 1, 2009, veterans started receiving college education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, commonly referred to as the GI Bill for the 21st Century. Through the new program, it is estimated that 2.1 million members of the military who have served after September 11, 2001, will be eligible for up to four years of education benefits, including stipends for housing and books.
“We have a duty to serve the soldiers and the military families who have sacrificed so much for our country,” Chandler said. “We are helping veterans and families realize the dream of a four-year college education, and during these tough economic times, higher education is so important, expanding job prospects and strengthening our economy.”
Under this program, honorably discharged veterans, including activated reservists and members of the National Guard who have served on active duty for at least 90 days since September 11, 2001, can receive up to four years of educational benefits at a college or university. Benefits are calculated on a sliding scale, and to receive full benefits, one must have served on active duty for three years. 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/ on May 1st of this year.
Children of service members who died on active duty after September 11, 2001, will 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.
This program will pay for:
- Tuition and fees of up to the maximum in-state tuition and fees at a public institution,
- 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.
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