Press Releases: GI Bill

After Pressure from IAVA, VA Responds to Help Student Veterans

New York – Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued the following statement in response to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcement it will expand outreach to student veterans eligible for up to $3,000 in special emergency payments of their GI Bill education benefits. Starting Oct. 2^nd, student veterans can apply online at www.va.gov for emergency payments or request free transportation to the nearest VA benefits office to submit their claim.

IAVA Issues Statement on GI Bill Check Delays

September 23

Statement on the CA Announcement about the New GI Bill Tuition Benefit

August 5

Washington, DC- Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued the following statement in response to the announcement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding the new GI Bill tuition benefit in CA:

Veterans Applaud President's Commitment to Post-9/11 GI Bill

August 3

Washington, DC - Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, joined President Obama in celebrating the historic start to the Post-9/11 GI Bill at George Mason University. Chief Legislative Counsel Patrick Campbell, a nationally-recognized expert on the new benefit, and IAVA members were in attendance at the important event.

Innovative GI Bill Website Launched by IAVA

July 29

Washington, DC- Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, announced the launch of a groundbreaking outreach campaign, anchored by the website NewGIBill.org, to provide educational resources to new veterans seeking to attend college on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which takes effect August 1.

Iraq, Afghanistan Veterans Ring Closing Bell at NASDAQ; Celebrate July 4th

July 2

NEW YORK –Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will ring the Closing Bell at The NASDAQ Stock Market in New York City. IAVA Board Member and Afghanistan veteran Wes Moore will lead the ceremony, joined by IAVA member veterans from the Tri-State area. The ceremony begins at 3:30 PM (EST) at the NASDAQ MarketSite at 4 Times Square, and is OPEN to the media. To attend, please RSVP to Michael Houston at michael@iava.org.

Craigslist Founder, Ning CEO Participate in Press Conference to Show How Technology is Supporting Troops and Veterans

June 26

NEW YORK - Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, announced it will host a press conference on Monday, June 29^th, 10:15AM EST with Craigslist Founder Craig Newmark and Ning CEO Gina Bianchini at the Personal Democracy Forum (PdF). PdF is the world's largest and best known conference on the intersection of technology and politics, attracting the highest level of speakers and participants. The press conference will directly follow a keynote address from NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and it will highlight how the Ning social network model is transforming outreach to new veterans.

President Signs Two Major Provisions for New Veterans into Law

June 24

NEW YORK-Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, applauded President Obama for signing the 2009 war supplemental bill into law, which includes two critical provisions for new veterans and their families. The first guarantees retroactive payments for all troops stop-lossed since 9/11 and the second establishes transferability of the new GI Bill to children of servicemembers killed on active-duty since 9/11.

IAVA Joins Pelosi, Lawmakers to Acknowledge Progress on Three Top Issues for Veterans

June 17

Washington, DC—Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi, other lawmakers and the National Military Families Association (NMFA) on Capitol Hill in applauding the House of Representatives for taking action on three critical issues impacting veterans and military families:

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Respond on President Obama's 100th Day in Office

April 29

NEW YORK - Today, Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director and Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued the following review of President Obama's commitment to veterans' issues in his first 100 days in office: