Veterans Benefits: A Look at the Old and New GI Bill Benefits

In 1944, Congress created the first GI Bill as a reward to veterans for their wartime service, but more importantly, to head off economic disaster. With the Great Depression still fresh on everyone's minds, and with large numbers of veterans coming home to no jobs, Congress knew it needed to act to prevent another economic collapse and in turn, created the GI Bill.

For about 40 years, only minor changes were made to the GI Bill. Then in 1984, Representative Sonny Montgomery from Mississippi introduced legislation to update the GI Bill Benefits, and the Montgomery GI Bill was born. The latest addition to the GI Bill family came around in August 2009 when the Post-9/11 GI Bill launched in an effort to provide GI Bill education benefits to the nation's newest veterans.

What GI Bill Benefits Are Available?

Depending on when you served, you'll most likely have one (or more) GI Bill at your disposal:

• Chapter 34 - Vietnam Era GI Bill
• Chapter 32 - Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
• Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
• Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill

As each new GI Bill came into being, it provided America's servicemembers and veterans with more veterans' benefits than its predecessor. The Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as the New GI Bill, provides the most generous education benefits yet. Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, servicemembers may qualify to get all tuition and associated fees paid directly to their schools by the VA. Veterans may take courses either on-campus or online, and may also qualify for a monthly housing allowance and book stipend as part of the GI Bill benefits.

While the Post-9/11 GI Bill satisfies the education needs of many veterans and servicemembers, it does not cover those who wish to learn a trade, or earn a certificate or license; for this type of training, Montgomery GI Bill benefits can be used.

Who Is Eligible for GI Bill Benefits?

As each GI Bill provided more benefits than its predecessor, each also covered a larger population. The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides coverage for:

• active duty servicemembers
• veterans
• spouses
• dependent children

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the only GI Bill providing eligible servicemembers the education benefits transfer option to spouses and dependent children.

GI Bill Education Online

The way of the printed form sent by snail-mail, is giving way to electronic fill-able forms transmitted electronically. If you use the Montgomery GI Bill, you have report your school enrollment status through the VA Website's Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) system. Use the Post 9/11 GI Bill, and you can use the Veterans Online Application (VONAPP) program.

Using these online resources is the best way to:

• enroll in a GI Bill program
• switch to a different GI Bill
• ask a GI Bill question, along with receiving your answer online
• transfer GI Bill education benefits via the Transfer of Eligibility Benefits (TEB) Website

Veterans' benefits have come a long way since their auspicious beginnings. Today, the Post 9/11 GI Bill gives servicemembers and veterans opportunities to reach their GI Bill education goals.

Ron Kness retired from the military in 2006 with 36 years of service. His last assignment was a Division Command Sergeant Major/ E-9