New GI Bill increases servicemember benefits
By Pfc. Jasmine N. Walthall, Task Force 449
Mar 26, 2009 - 7:30:05 PM
Blackanthem Military News
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - The Post-9/11 GI Bill, effective Aug. 1, 2009, introduces numerous benefits to active duty servicemembers, Reservists, National Guardsmen and Veterans.
Military personnel who have served more than 90 consecutive days on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, are eligible for at least some of the available benefits. Individuals discharged from the military with a service-related disability after 30 days of service and individuals with an honorable discharge post-9/11 are also eligible.
These benefits may be used for a maximum of 36 months for any degree or certificate program, flight training, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and correspondence courses.
"The new GI Bill is giving more credit to Guardsmen and Reservists that are spending a large portion of their career deployed," said Staff Sgt. Melodie A. Hunt, Task Force 449 Retention noncommissioned officer. "Now they have the opportunity to receive some benefits in exchange for their service."
Among the benefits is an increased allowance for tuition and fees to be paid directly to the school. This increase in money allows for students attending both public and private schools to have a majority of their education paid for. The cap is based on the most expensive public school in the state the eligible servicemember's school is located.
A monthly housing allowance based on the military Basic Allowance for Housing for the rank of E-5 with dependents has also been added to the bill, along with an annual stipend of $1,000 for books and supplies. However, the housing allowance will not be available for servicemembers who are still on active duty, and the book stipend is not allowed for students taking all distance learning or online classes.
"The BAH will allow Soldiers to offset the cost of going to school full time," said Hunt. "It will also give them incentive to finish their degree."
The benefits, prorated based on a servicemember's time of service on active duty, start at 40% for 90 days of active duty time and increases 10% for every six months served up to 36 months.
Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are available to eligible servicemembers for up to 15 years after separation from the military. There is also no enrollment fee for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, whereas previous programs required a $1,200 pay-in.
Individuals will still have the option to begin or continue to receive GI Bill benefits under the previous program rather than use the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Interested servicemembers can visit www.gibill2008.org for more information.