The Department of Veterans Affairs will start accepting applications for the Post 9/11 GI Bill on May 1, 2009. The VA hired an additional 500 staff members to help process the one-half million applications they expect to receive. Keith Wilson, director of education services for the VA said, "we are set to go."
For many veterans this new plan represents a long awaited benefit. The plan will pay 100% of the tuition, includes $1,000 stipend for books and supplies, and a monthly housing allowance. Not all veterans will receive the full amount of the benefits.
Patrick Campbell, legislative counsel for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, expressed some concern, "the biggest problem is that people don't understand the benefits." Campbell said that despite the numerous mailings and internet postings by the VA, the IAVA is still answering numerous questions on a daily basis.
On Friday, May 1st, 2009, the Veterans Administration will process the first applications for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The first payments will be sent out in August. The VA estimates that $78 Billion will be spent on this benefit over the next 10 years.
About Me
- Maria
- I'm a single mother, a Navy Reservist, a student at Old Dominion University and a call taker for the city of Virginia Beach Emergency Communications and Citizen Services.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment