New G.I. Bill helps vets pay for college

[Judi Lynn]

Source: KSLA

New G.I. Bill helps vets pay for college
Posted: Aug 1, 2009 05:42 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 1, 2009 06:21 PM CDT

Nick Guillory

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) - The new "Post 9/11 G.I. Bill" went into effect today. This new investment is the largest of its kind since World War II.

Over the next decade the government will rollout more than 70 billion dollars for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

One Ark-La-Tex soldier hopes to earn her college degree with the assistance of the new program.

Abigail Santamaria is in the army reserves and said in these tough economic times any help certainty won't hurt.

"I think it's a good benefit to have. The money helps to go to school and to be able to support yourself while you're going to school fulltime," said Abigail Santamaria

This new change to the G.I. Bill provides upfront tuition, a monthly living allowance and a thousand dollars for books.



Read more: http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=10831922&nav=menu50_2_1

[Bigmack]

1. 'Bout goddam time....

they brought back a serious GI bill. The old one paid me to go to school, gave me time to get my shit together, and was the only positive thing my country did to thank me for my service.

The GI bill pays back tenfold to society.

[aquart]

2. God, yes. Amazing people got educations on that.

And we would likely never have found out how amazing they were if they hadn't had the chance to go to college.

[Posteritatis]

3. I don't think I'll ever complain about money going to education. (nt)

[Vidar]

4. It's a good move, though bringing them home would be a better one.

[malmapus]

5. Good yes, but what are the rest of us, chopped liver?

As a Pre 9/11 vet, I lost what was left of my GI Bill in 2005. They NEED to remove that bloody time limit for all vets in the active services.

[midnight]

7. All vets should have equal acess.

If all our vets can improve their lives via education, let's provide it.

[fascisthunter]

6. good

[Bigmack]

8. I have a radical idea....

A "GI Bill" for others, too. Peace corps, Americorps, med school in return for service in public medicine.... etc. etc...

People today graduate with tens of thousands of bucks in loans, from my favorite people... the shylocking, bloodsucking, scumbag banks. I'll bet Uncle Sam could loan that money for less and then get service from the recipients.

College is the way to rebuild the middle class.

My GI Bill money robbed the country of a mediocre electrician, but gave it a pretty damned good teacher.

[No Elephants]

9. Good for you. We need more great teachers (and mediocre electricias are dangerous!).

[Bill McBlueState]

10. agreed

We need to find ways to make higher education more affordable for everyone, though veterans are a good start.