Defend the GI Bill

2008 was a landmark year for the post-9/11 generation. After years of tireless advocacy by IAVA and others, the Post-9/11 GI Bill was passed into law. With it, millions of veterans and their dependents had the doors to higher education opened for them. After deploying for years to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflict areas, Congress and the American people agreed that these warriors had earned the right to a degree.

In IAVA’s latest member survey, 75% of IAVA members reported having used, currently using, or transferring their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit. And 87% agree the Post-9/11 GI Bill is important to military recruitment and 87% believe it is extremely or very important to transition to civilian life.

Since its inception, the Post-9/11 GI Bill has faced threats of funding cuts and abuse, which is why IAVA continues to #DefendTheGIBill. However, it has also seen unprecedented expansion. In 2017, IAVA worked with VSO partners to pass the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, which included numerous expansions for the GI Bill, including elimination of the 15-year time limit to use the benefit.

We must continue to hold the line in defending these essential, earned benefits that are a cost of war.

Ever since it was signed into law in 2008, the Post-9/11 GI Bill has faced attempts to strip these earned benefits by those in power looking for a quick fix. However, time and time again IAVA and our VSO partners have held the line and fought for additional funding, expansion of benefits, and the closing of loopholes of this earned benefit. While the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act expanded GI Bill benefits for the post-9/11 generation, there are still areas of concern where veterans may be exploited or this earned benefit could be strengthened.

The GI Bill is still being exploited by underperforming and predatory schools who take advantage of veterans’ benefits and often leave veterans stuck with unnecessary debt and a subpar education. In 2019 IAVA worked with allies on Capitol Hill and the VSO community to introduce the first bipartisan bill to close the 90/10 loophole. We’ll continue to fight to #DefendTheGIBill against these and other assaults on this earned benefit.

• Fully maintain Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for veterans and their families. Any cuts to this benefit are a breach in trust with servicemembers and veterans
• Following DoD’s withdrawal (Due in large part to IAVA’s campaign) of its 2018 directive to limit GI Bill family member transfers to those serving 16 years or less, DoD should never limit transferability again
• Protect gainful employment and borrower’s defense regulations that ensure government funding is provided only to vocational programs with proven employment outcomes
• Close the 90/10 loophole. For-profit colleges are required to get at least 10% of its revenue from federal financial aid funds, but they exploit a loophole in the law that does not count GI Bill and DoD Tuition Assistance benefits as federal funds, making service members and veterans a target for their generous benefits.