House Passes Post-9/11 GI Bill Legislation 409 to 3

Today, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) announced the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that strengthens and expands the scope of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The legislation, S.3447, sponsored by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), passed the House in a 409 to 3 vote this afternoon.

This is the second sweeping overhaul of GI Bill education benefits in the past two years. Earlier this week, the bill passed in the Senate and President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law by the end of the month.

"Returning veterans have shown their commitment to our country by their service," said Chairman Filner in a press release announcing the passage, "and it is important to provide to our most dedicated citizens an opportunity to receive the education and training they missed while serving in the military."

House Passes Sweeping Post-9/11 GI Bill Legislation

The new legislation expands eligibility to National Guard members, simplifies the formula for college tuition payments, provides basic housing allowances to students attending courses online. All changes are expected to go into effect beginning in August 2011.

Major changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill include:

Expanded Eligibility. To-date, approximately 300,000 veterans and their family members have used Post-9/11 education benefits. Today's legislation allows National Guardsmen, who previously could not qualify for benefits to apply for Post-9/11 GI Bill assistance. An estimated 90,000 National Guardsmen will become eligible through this bill's passage.

Vocational Training. Vocational and apprenticeship training was allowable under the old GI Bill, but not included in the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This legislation moves vocational and apprenticeship training under the umbrella of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and greatly expands the educational opportunities for veterans.

Simplified Tuition Formula. The current Post-9/11 GI Bill uses a complicated formula to calculate tuition payment rates. Four-year degree programs at public institutions (in the veteran's home state) is covered 100% by the Post-9/11 GI Bill, regardless of the total cost.

However, tuition payments for private college is capped at the cost of the most expensive public colleges where the veteran resides. For example, a veteran attending private school in Missouri would only receive approximately $7,500 per year, but a veteran in Michigan would receive $28,000 per year in tuition payments.

Under the new guidelines, tuition payments for veterans attending private school will be set at $17,500--a number related to the median cost of private colleges throughout the country. Based upon tuition increases, that number could increase each year.

Housing Allowances. Previously, students attending classes online were not eligible for housing allowances. This bill has provisions to provide a basic housing allowance to students not attending "brick and mortar" colleges.

Examinations and Licensing. The new legislation covers fees associated with national tests, as well as certification and licensure tests.

Filner continued, "[T]his Congress…has come together to fully invest in the future of our heroes and support those who have borne the heaviest burdens of war."

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