Streamline 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.

As an earned benefit, the Post-9/11 GI Bill should be easily accessible and readily available. Bureaucratic barriers and restrictions on the use of the GI Bill continues to inhibit the full use of the benefit by many veterans. While the GI Bill has continued to be improved and streamlined through the efforts of VSOs, Congress and the VA, there is still work to be done in ensuring veterans and their families are getting the most from this earned benefit.

For example, veterans do not receive their housing allowances during the holiday breaks and often cannot get a job for such a short period to cover their basic costs. IAVA is continuing to fight to ensure that the Post-9/11 GI Bill enables veterans to complete their education and move on to more successful lives.

• Provide eligibility for the Fry Scholarship to children and spouses of Guard and Reserve families whose loved ones’ death was service-connected while still serving in the Guard or Reserve
• Allow for more overall flexibility in the use of the Post-9/11 GI Bill and allow veterans to use their remaining entitlement to repay student loans
• Allow medically discharged veterans and retirees to transfer their unused GI Bill benefits to their spouses and dependents
• Change Post-9/11 GI Bill housing payments to equally apply throughout the academic year, covering winter break, without affecting their overall eligibility or coverage