GI Bill 2008

On May 22, 2008, with a vote of 75-22, the U.S. Senate passed new legislation which will provide improved educational benefits for veterans who served a minimum of three years in the U.S. Military after the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

Fast Facts:

1. Presidential hopeful John McCain is opposed to the bill
2. George W. Bush has said he will veto the bill
3. Both Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton support the bill
4. Introduced by Virginia Democratic senator Jim Webb
5. Franklin D. Roosevelt founded the original GI Bill for returning World War II veterans in 1944

Highlights of the 2008 GI Bill

The current GI Bill provides a maximum of $1,100 per month for post-secondary education if veterans paid a $1,200 deposit at the time of their enlistment. Under the new GI Bill, no payment is required upon enlistment and veterans' tuition payments will be covered in full as long as they don't exceed the costs of the most expensive public college in the veterans' home state. The new GI Bill also offers a yearly book stipend of $1,000 and a monthly living allowance. Under the current system, veterans have ten years to collect their educational benefits, while the new bill allows fifteen years.

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