Navy to develop software to help run GI Bill

[unhappycamper]

Navy to develop software to help run GI Bill
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Nov 7, 2008 21:32:14 EST

A smooth start next August for the Post-9/11 GI Bill could rest in the hands of a Navy command hired by the Department of Veterans Affairs to oversee the development of computer software that will calculate and process education benefits claims.

The Navy’s Charleston, S.C.-based Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command knows little about education benefits but has experience with sophisticated software that can perform some of the complex calculations that will have to be done next year when full-tuition GI Bill benefits take effect, VA officials said.

Eligibility guidelines for the new GI Bill are slightly more complex than current procedures because it is available to most people who have served on active-duty for 90 days or longer since Sept. 11, 2001 — opening the door to thousands of National Guard and reserve members to receive a pro-rated share of full active-duty payments. But the big hurdle will be calculating benefits and monthly living stipends that will vary for every school.

The new benefits plan promises to pay full tuition up to the cost of the most expensive four-year public college or university in the state where a service member or veteran attends school.

A living stipend, based on the military housing allowance for an E-5 in the ZIP code where the campus is located, also will be paid. Anyone who served less than three years on active duty will get a pro-rated basic benefit and living stipend based upon their months of service, adding to the complexity of payments.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/11/airforce_gibill_111008/%2e