FACTS ABOUT SENATOR WEBB'S GI BILL,

POST-9/11 VETERANS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2007 (S.22)

December 2007

## **SUMMARY**

** **

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007, S.22, is
designed to expand the educational benefits that our nation offers to
the brave men and women who have served us so honorably since the
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The bill would mirror the
educational benefits provided to veterans returning from World War II. A
House companion bill, H.R. 2702, was introduced by Rep. Bobby Scott
(D-VA).

## **BACKGROUND**

** **

Our country has a tradition -- since World War II -- of offering
educational assistance to returning veterans. In the 1940s, the first
"GI Bill" helped transform notions of equality in American society. The
World War II GI bill paid for veterans' tuition, books, fees, a monthly
stipend, and other training costs. Approximately 7.8 million veterans
used the benefits given under the original GI bill in some form, out of
a wartime veteran population of 15 million. For every dollar invested in
veterans, seven dollars were generated.

Over the last several decades, Congress passed a number of other GI
bills that also gave educational benefits to veterans. However, benefits
awarded under those subsequent bills have not been as expansive as our
nation's original GI bill. Currently, veterans' educational benefits are
administered under the Montgomery GI Bill. This program is designed for
peacetime -- not wartime -- service.

## **MAJOR PROVISIONS**

** **

-   Increased educational benefits would be available to members of the
    military who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001. To
    qualify, veterans must have served at least two years of active
    duty, with at least some period of active duty time served beginning
    on or after September 11, 2001.

-   The bill provides for educational benefits to be paid for a duration
    of time linked to time served in the military. Generally, veterans
    would not receive assistance for more than a total of 36 months,
    which equals four academic years.

-   Benefits provided under the bill would allow veterans pursuing an
    approved program of education to receive payments covering the
    established charges of their program, and a monthly stipend of
    \$1,000. The bill would allow additional payments for tutorial
    assistance, as well as licensure and certification tests. Benefit
    payments would be limited to the costs of the most expensive public
    institution in the state in which the veteran is enrolled.

-   Veterans would have up to fifteen years, compared to ten years under
    the Montgomery GI bill, to use their educational assistance
    entitlement. Veterans would be barred from receiving concurrent
    assistance from this program and another similar program.

## **CO-SPONSORS, SUPPORTERS**

** **

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007, S.22, has [27
cosponsors in the Senate]{.underline}, including lead Republican
co-sponsor Chuck Hagel (NE). The House companion bill, H.R. 2702,
introduced by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), has [77 cosponsors in the
House]{.underline}. *(As of November 29, 2007)*

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007 has been
endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of
America (VVA), the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), the Enlisted
Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS), the
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the American
Association of Community Colleges (AACC), and the National Association
of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC).

## **KEY POINTS MADE BY SENATOR WEBB**

** **

-   **Currently, veterans' educational benefits are administered under
    the Montgomery GI Bill---a program designed primarily for peacetime
    -- not wartime -- service.** The demands placed on soldiers and
    sailors in this post 9/11 era are much greater than when Congress
    established the current program. With many of our military members
    serving two, three or four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, it
    is past time to enact a new veterans' education program modeled on
    the World War II era GI bill.

-   **The GI Bill of the World War II era sparked economic growth and
    expansion for a whole generation of Americans; a more robust GI bill
    holds the same potential for today's economy.** The United States
    has never erred when it has made sustained new investments in higher
    education and job training -- and its veterans. Educated veterans
    have higher income levels, which in the long run increases tax
    revenues. Approximately 7.8 million veterans used the benefits in
    some form, out of a wartime veteran population of 15 million. [For
    every dollar invested in WWII veterans, seven dollars were
    generated.]{.underline}

-   **A strong and reliable GI bill will have a positive effect on
    military recruitment**.

-   Better educated veterans have a **more positive readjustment
    experience** and lower levels of post-traumatic stress disorder.

-   **The education of our nation's veterans is a cost of war.** A very
    small percentage of Americans have stepped forward to serve our
    country through military service; they have earned the right to have
    a bright future when they have completed their service. A GI bill
    that properly rewards honorable service is the right thing to do.

-   **The estimated \$2 billion a year needed for the program [equals
    less than one week of war in Iraq]{.underline}.**

-   Three former Presidents, a dozen U.S. Senators, three Supreme Court
    Justices and fourteen Nobel Prize winners went to school on the GI
    Bill. Under today's Montgomery GI Bill, these same leaders would
    receive only a fraction of the money necessary to get the same level
    of education.