New GI Bill plan gives members more benefits

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi A. Owolabi
  • 47th Flying Training Wing
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Eligible service members and veterans will soon be able to enjoy an increase in educational benefits and entitlements under the new GI Bill plan, which takes effect next year.

The new GI Bill plan, now called the Post-9/11 GI Bill, is a new benefit providing educational assistance to members who have served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill plan is scheduled to take effect August 1, 2009. Under the new plan, eligible individuals will receive a percentage, as determined by the length of creditable active-duty service. The amount of tuition and fees will not exceed the most expensive in-state public institution of higher education. Eligible individuals will also receive a monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents in the same zip code as the school, and a yearly stipend of up to $1,000 for books and supplies.

The housing allowance and stipend for books and supplies is not payable to individuals on active duty. Also, the housing allowance is not payable for those training at less than half time.

"The new plan is going to be a wonderful benefit for eligible members and veterans because it gives them more funding and options to go to school," said Christine Engel, Education and Training chief here. "It is also going to be a wonderful retention tool for the Air Force."

Under the new plan, members could receive up to 36 months of entitlement, depending upon the amount of creditable active duty served since 9/11. "If they have at least 90 days, members could get 40 percent," Mrs. Engel said. "As they have more time in service, the percentage goes up."

According to a release by the Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C., the fact sheet gives an illustration of how the new plan works. It provided the following scenarios as examples:

If tuition and fees charged for full time is $6,700 and the highest in-state tuition and fees is $7,000, a member, who served for three years on active duty and separated and in school for a full-time program, would be eligible for $6,700 for tuition and fees, the monthly housing allowance, and $1,000 for books and supplies.

A member, who spent 12 months of active-duty service in the guard or reserves and in school for a full-time program, would be eligible for $4,020 (60 percent of $6,700) for tuition and fees, $600 (60 percent of $1,000) for books and supplies stipend, and 60 percent of the monthly housing allowance.

Ms. Engel stated, "With the new plan, the financial amount members will receive will be based on where they are going to school and where they live; whereas with the old plan, it is only one flat amount."

With the current Montgomery GI Bill, members need at least two years time-in-service to be eligible for the benefits, and they must contribute $1,200 to the plan. With the new plan, a member qualifies for the program with at least 90 days of creditable active duty service that is post 9/11 to be able to utilize it, and there will be no fee for it.

Other facets of the new program-- education benefits do not discriminate between officers and enlisted personnel. It also provides for a transferability option for family members. Policy and procedures have yet to be written and must be authorized by DoD.

"Based on the initial information available from the Veterans Administration, this plan will be very beneficial in helping veterans achieve their academic and educational goals," said Dr. Robert Carpenter, Chief of the Force Development Flight. "Although we do not have all the details regarding the bill, we will certainly publicize any forthcoming information as it becomes available between now and August 1, 2009, the date the Post-9/11 GI Bill becomes effective."

Members should visit www.gibill.va.gov for more information on the new Post-9/11 GI Bill plan and other education benefits.