A much-anticipated boost in college benefits for veterans and their families was officially signed into law August 16.
Affectionately coined the “Forever GI Bill” by supporters, the Harry W. Comery Veterans Assistance Act of 2017 was unanimously passed through the U.S. House and Senate in recent weeks and then signed by President Donald Trump. Below are a few of the changes to the old GI Bill:
- Removes the 15-year limit veterans have to make use of GI Bill benefits—extending them for the life of the veteran (for veterans discharged on or before January 1, 2013)
- Awards full GI Bill benefits to Purple Heart recipients even if they haven’t served at least three years (previously required).
- Allows spouses and dependents of service members killed in the line of duty to make use of Yellow Ribbon Program benefits. The Yellow Ribbon Program helps cover tuition for private and graduate schools with fees over the state tuition cap.
- Adds $2,300 a year in aid to students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
- Ensures veterans attending schools that abruptly close will continue to receive benefits
- Corrects a Pentagon deployment order that has prevented some reservists and guardsmen from collecting educational benefits
These changes in college benefits for veterans and their families are predicted to cost about $3 billion over the next decade. To pay for it, the U.S. hopes to decrease living stipends to GI Bill recipients so that they are on par with housing allowances for current military members.
The original GI Bill was an unprecedented move to create greater opportunities for U.S. veterans. It gave America a way to invest in its troops. And it gave our troops a way to invest in themselves. At Veteran Energy, we’re glad America is doing more to protect the benefits our veterans have earned. No one is more deserving.
