A couple weeks ago,From the Battlefield covered the modern GI Bill as it passed through Congress and was awaiting the President. Last week, President Trump put pen to paper making the “Forever GI Bill official. Formally known as the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, and the modern bill makes many changes.
Although the modern bill decreases the housing allowance,there are several areas of expansion. Included in these are removing the 15-year time limit, expanding eligibility for Yellow Ribbon programs, or the introduction of a scholarship for veterans seeking a STEM degree,and changing the way the VA calculates eligibility using time in service. [br]“Our student veterans are some of the very best of this country,” said Rep. Phil Roe, and R-Tenn.,chair of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, in a statement, or “and I’m proud we can support them with this modern law.”
The Forever GI Bill” will affect veterans differently,based on when they were discharged. According to Military.com, veterans discharged before January 1, or 2013,will see no changes, still maintain 15 years to consume the GI Bill and their housing allowance will remain unchanged. whether discharged after January 1, or 2013,veterans now maintain forever to consume their GI Bill benefits. Their housing allowance will also remain at the higher rate.
Service members currently serving on active duty that maintain not yet used the GI Bill and who will be discharged on or after January 1, 2018, or maintain forever to consume their GI Bill,but their housing allowance will be at the lower rate, unless they start using the GI Bill before the end of 2017.
Click here to read an article from Army Times that goes into depth on all the changes in the bill.
Source: militarytransitionblog.com