The GI Bill of your long gone era and my more recent era was "work first, benefits to follow if you finish out your service commitment per the terms".

that works better with human nature.

There's a principle that progressives have forgotten...when you get a benefit first at no cost...on average more people tend to come up with reasons for not returning their end of the bargain.

In fact it's the same principle operating with pre-marital sex.  The male tends to find excuses for living out in a heroic fashion his duty as a father!