New GI Bill

[PoLiX]

Right on. Had this in my e-mail at work.

 

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

August 3, 2009

 

SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS: THE POST 9/11 GI BILL

Colleges and Universities Partner with VA to Improve GI Bill Benefits

 

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Obama celebrated the beginning of

implementation of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. This bill, through its Yellow

Ribbon Programs and partnerships with colleges and universities

throughout the nation, will provide our service members with the most

generous educational benefits package since the original GI Bill of 1944.

Over 3,400 agreements were received from the 1,100 schools participating

in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of

the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, funds tuition expenses that exceed the

highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate.

 

"Sixty-five years ago, a grateful nation offered a generation of World

War II heroes the chance to go to college," President Obama said. "The

original GI Bill paved the way to a better life for millions of veterans

and their families while building the foundation of the American middle

class. Today, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is affording a new generation of

heroes a 21st century version of that same opportunity."

 

"The President and I know that the nation's courageous service members

and their families have shouldered the heaviest burden for our country's

security and safety over the past eight years," VA Secretary Eric

Shinseki said. "This new GI Bill is a way for a grateful nation to

tangibly demonstrate our heartfelt appreciation and abiding respect for

their service."

 

"More than two and half years ago, we began with the simple concept that

those who have been serving since 9/11 should have the same opportunity

for a first class educational future as those who served during World

War II," Senator Jim H. Webb said. "This bill provides a modern and fair

educational benefit to address the needs of those who answered the call

of duty to our country--those who moved toward the sound of the guns--

often at great sacrifice."

 

With the implementation of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, our nation has an

opportunity to honor America's veterans in a very tangible way. The

maximum benefit under the Post-9/11 GI Bill allows veterans, service

members, Reservists and Guard members the ability to receive an in-

state, undergraduate education at a public institution at no cost.

 

Further, to honor their many sacrifices, the Post 9/11 GI Bill allows

for the transferability of unused benefits to eligible career service

members' families. More information on the transferability of unused

benefits can be found at

http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/.

 

President Obama has directed Secretary Shinseki to create a results-

driven, 21st Century VA. Since the signing of this monumental

legislation, VA has made meeting the August 1 implementation deadline a

top priority. As of July 30th VA has processed over 112,000 claims.

[Bak]

I wonder why colleges and universities are supporting this bill lool...

[PoLiX]

Why wouldn't they?