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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

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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:

"Today, the VA issued a critical decision that will help tens of thousands of new veterans attend colleges in California. IAVA led the fight for this fix and we are pleased to see such a prompt and positive response. With this announcement, California veterans will receive $287 per credit, whereas before these veterans would have received nothing toward their tuition costs simply due to a wording technicality. This is an especially huge win for vets attending graduate programs or private universities where they could now receive $8,500 more per year.

California has the highest number of GI Bill users compared to any other state. That's why it was so important for the Administration, VA, and State of California to work together and reach a consensus. We are grateful for their efforts to ensure that California student vets do not lose out on this new and generous benefit.

This is a critical first step to correcting some of the problems with the Post-9/11 GI Bill. We hope the VA and Congress will be inspired to take these same steps in other states. California was not the only state to face this difficulty; veterans in states like Florida and Massachusetts need Congress and the VA to step up and address these complications right away."

IAVA has created a brand new website to help vets understand how to use the new benefit. Visit NewGIBill.Org, a one stop shop providing accurate and credible information and resources on the new benefit.

To arrange an interview with Chief Legislative Counsel Patrick Campbell, Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff or a member veteran going to school on the new GI Bill, contact Chrissy Stevens, 212-982-9699, Chrissy@iava.org.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the country's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 125,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families.