Benefits of New G.I. Bill Announced in Oregon Today

President Bush opposed the improvement in veteran education opportunities until recently.

American servicemen like this soldiers photographed in January 2007 in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, will now have a similar opportunity to WWII and Vietnam era vets in gaining an education. Photo by Tim King Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Jim Willis announced today the signing of the new GI Bill for Oregon veterans. The bill significantly expands education benefits for veterans and was praised by Governor Ted Kulongoski.

“In Oregon, we’ve done a lot to help our veterans with education benefits,” the Governor said. “This new G.I. Bill keeps the faith with those who serve our country and will make an invaluable investment in our future.”

The new G.I. Bill has been likened to that of the GI Bill offered to World War II veterans in that it provides for nearly all the costs of attending school.

“One of the reasons the World War II generation is the greatest generation is because they came home from war, went back to school, and then began leading our nation,” Willis said.

“With this bill, we can make another great generation of future leaders.”

The following are the highlights of the new G.I. Bill:

• Service members no longer will have to “buy-in” to the program by paying $1,200 to sign up. Instead, eligibility is based on months of active duty post 9/11.

• For most veterans, the program pays full cost of tuition and fees at any public institution, a living stipend, and a $1,000 per year book stipend.

• The average value of the benefit will rise from $9,900 to $18,815.

• The time limit for using the New G.I. Bill increases from 10 years to 15 years after discharge.

“I have been supporting this effort to expand the G.I. Bill since the legislation was drafted,” Willis said, adding that, “Ensuring that our veterans can have the best education our nation has to offer is the right thing to do.”

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