[Vision2020] Veterans Can Tap Into New GI Bill

[Tom Hansen]

Hats off to the University of Idaho and Washington state University.

Courtesy of today's (August 1, 2009) Spokesman Review.

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Veterans can tap into new GI Bill
Both universities expect to see more vets apply this fall
By Yesenia Amaro, Daily News staff writer


The University of Idaho and Washington State University expect to see an
increase in the number of military veterans enrolling as students as a
result of the new Post 9/11 GI Bill, which goes into effect today.

"We are going to see a modest increase, I believe," UI veterans adviser
John Sawyer said.

Sawyer said the number of veteran students is expected to increase by
about 30 percent nationwide.

WSU veterans coordinator Matthew Zimmerman said WSU expects to see some of
those students as well.

"We should see an increase in the total number of veteran students," he
said. The new bill is a "much greater benefit to the veteran monetarily."

Individuals who have served in the military after 9/11 are eligible for
the new bill. Zimmerman said the new bill's best-case scenario will pay
100 percent of resident undergraduate tuition, will provide a housing
allowance, and will provide up to $1,000 a year for books.

"If you (have) served 36 months (in the military) since 9/11, you get 100
percent," he said. "Then it goes on downward from there, but the smallest
you can be eligible for is 40 percent. That's still pretty significant."

Zimmerman said the other real beneficial piece of the new bill is an
individual can transfer those benefits to their children or spouse.

"It's a great benefit, and people need to be aware that it's out there for
them," he said. "Not only for them, but to give to their children. ...
That's a big piece of benefit that not everyone is aware of."

He said some veteran students who are currently receiving benefits from
the Montgomery GI Bill might qualify to transfer to the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

WSU has had about 70 students apply to receive benefits under the new bill
this fall semester, and the UI has had about 23 applications.

UI officials expect that figure to rise to 50 by the time school starts
later this month, Sawyer said.

The UI and WSU are among a few public institutions that also signed
agreements to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is a
provision of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. This program allows institutions to
enter an agreement with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to fund
tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate
tuition rate. The institutions can contribute up to 50 percent of those
expenses and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will match the same
amount as the institution.

The UI has a limit to match out-of-state tuition fees for up to 15
students. Sawyer said to be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, a
student must qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

The UI is "the only public institution in Idaho that is doing that,"
Sawyer said.

WSU is one of the few Yellow Ribbon Program participating public
institutions in Washington state. Although, Zimmerman said WSU will match
in-state graduate fees rather than out-of-state fees.

"The difference between undergraduate tuition and graduate tuition is
$1,284," he said. "We'll waive $642 and (the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs) will pay us $642."

WSU veteran student Yuriy Eero already applied to receive benefits under
the new bill. He said "it's definitely going to make a difference" in his
education.

"I (will) get money for books," he said. "Books are very expensive."

Eero said he is studying electrical engineering and each textbook ranges
from $150 to $200.

He said he would encourage others to take advantage of the new bill as well.

Sawyer said veteran students should apply even if they think they don't
qualify.

"If they have been in active service after 9/11, they may be eligible even
if they have used the entitlement they thought they had," he said.

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The new Post-9/11 GI Bill (effective August 1, 2009)

www.gibill.va.gov

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown