 |
| Senator Jim Webb proposes paying tuition, room and board and a $1,000 monthly stipend to veterans who have served on active duty for at least two years.
(The Virginian-Pilot file photo) |
The Virginian-Pilot
WASHINGTON - Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., carried through on a campaign promise Wednesday, lobbying a Senate committee to pay college tuition and a monthly stipend to veterans who have served on active duty since the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Webb, a former Marine and a Navy secretary, argued that providing today's veterans with a GI Bill similar to what World War II-era veterans received would boost recruiting, ease the transition of soldiers returning from war and raise the quality of life for those who have risked their lives.
Webb proposes paying tuition, room and board and a $1,000 monthly stipend to veterans who have served on active duty for at least two years.
"I hope that in good spirit, the administration will look at this in terms of how we really should be rewarding the people who step forward," he told the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. "It's a very small percentage of the country that's done this, and they deserve the right to have as big a future as they can go out and get."
Kimberly Hunter, a spokeswoman for Webb, said there is no estimate yet of how much the expanded benefit would cost. The proposal is backed by several veterans' groups, including The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
The committee is expected to take up the bill next month.
Congress has boosted the GI benefit several times since its inception - the last a $9 billion, 10-year increase passed in 2001 that even then was criticized as too small to keep up with soaring costs.
The Department of Veterans Affairs, which administers the program, distributed $2.76 billion in education aid to 498,123 people last year.
While that amount is substantial, it falls short of the original program's scope.
The maximum GI Bill amount a currently enrolled veteran who served on active duty can qualify for during a college career is roughly $38,700. But for many students, that is not nearly enough to pay for tuition, room, board and books. Plus, the GI Bill covers only four years of school, leaving veterans on their own if they take longer to graduate.
The average cost of one year's tuition, room and board at four-year public institutions in 2006-07 was $12,796, according to the College Board. For private schools, the one-year cost was $30,367. Tuition and fees at all schools have risen an average of 35 percent in the past five years, while the highest GI Bill monthly payout has increased only 20 percent.
In Virginia this year, the average tuition at four-year public institutions, including room and board, was $13,197, according to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. It is a 7.7 percent increase over last year. The tuition at public two-year colleges also has climbed, up 6.3 percent over last year. The average tuition at the state's community colleges is $2,269.
Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine in March signed into law a bill that reduces college tuition for the state's active-duty members, activated National Guard or reservist members, or those mobilized or on temporary active duty for six months or more.
The change, which takes effect July 1, ensures that tuition costs for those service members attending a public college in Virginia won't rise higher than the amount covered by their military services Tuition Assistance program or the school's in-state tuition rate, whichever is greater.
Big student loans are not uncommon among college students in general; the average graduate now leaves school with $19,000 in loans.
 Marc Edgerly, above with his fiancee Jen Freeman, is enrolled in the GI Bill program while attending George Mason University. He says he will be left with about $50,000 in student loans when he graduates.Jacquelyn Martin/the associated press |
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the GI Bill, officially called the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, in 1944, largely to keep millions of demobilized World War II soldiers from flooding the job market. By 1956, 7.8 million servicemen had used the benefit for college or vocational training.
Veterans initially received about $500 per year, enough to pay for tuition, room and books at most colleges, according to Keith Olson, a University of Maryland professor who wrote a book on the GI Bill. But the purchasing power of the GI Bill benefits has eroded over the years.
To enroll, troops must buy in to the program. Their pay is reduced by $1,200 during the first year of service, and then they must serve their full enlistment period. Those who serve three years or more are eligible for the full benefit of $1,075 per month. Some may qualify for additional money provided by their military branch, known as a GI Bill "kicker."
Despite its original largesse, some veterans aren't sure the GI Bill should pay for the entire cost of their education.
Carl Edgerly, 55, served for three years in the Army, including a year in Vietnam. Now an accountant for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, he is also a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard scheduled for a tour in Iraq.
Edgerly worked full time while he was on the GI Bill, and received $374 per month in GI Bill benefits. He attended Bismarck Junior College and then University of Mary College, both in Bismarck, N.D.
Despite the costs his son faces, Edgerly said he believes the program is meant to give a soldier a "head start" rather than a free ride in college.
His son agrees - somewhat. Marc Edgerly enlisted in a burst of patriotism following Sept. 11, 2001, and spent four years in the Army's Old Guard, serving on honor guards at Arlington National Cemetery.
Now at George Mason University, Edgerly also works part time as a security guard at $12.50 per hour. His yearly tuition bill is about $7,000. He and his fiancee pay around $1,200 monthly for a small apartment near campus in the high-rent Washington suburb.
He expects to find a well-paying job as an engineer after he graduates, which should help to repay his loans. And he has a big incentive to stay in school.
"My fiancee says she won't marry me if I don't get a college degree," he said.
This story was compiled from reports by staff writer Amy Couteé and The Associated Press.
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
GI Bill
College tuition is getting more and more expensive. Many students work their way thru it with loans and min wage jobs but think of this, haven't our troops earned something better? We have put our necks on the chopping block for years to protect this country and our way of life but for what? We constantly face criticism from people oblivious to our sacrifices. Maybe we're getting a free ride thru school from your tax dollars, but you're getting a free ride to the freedoms you take for granted from the lives we have lost. Is that really a fair trade?
Support something good for a change
First off to all the people who call themselves Americans that are currently talking trash on the idea that improving the GI Bill is just a waste of tax payers money, please move to another country. Maybe it should be at least three years of service to get the full ride, but the entire GI Bill program should be improved for everyone. I am a veteran and I get $1075.00 a month for only three years. The fact is my I pay almost $4000.00 a month, and it will take me fours years to graduate. I will have a great deal of loans to pay back by the time my business degree is complete. For all of the people that think veterans do not deserve this benefit, please just put your self in their shoes. I only did one tour in Iraq, but I still live it every day. I may not be getting shot at any more, but the bad memories will never go away. I do not support the war, but I was supporting my country the best way I could. Every one should support this bill, and finally take pride in something that our gover
Good, Glad, Thanks Webb, Not Enough.
If the people who avoided this war, and their parents who helped them don't like it, then they can go and earn tuition, room, and board. Keep in mind that almost every country in Europe does not charge anything for University. They also charge well under $1000.00 per semester for a very good and thorough technical school education. Most countries also offer a stipend of liveable pay to High School graduates who are undecided with their lives those first 2 -3 years after HS. The young people are their countrymen, while we are a bunch of British puppets letting the media divide us while they conqueor our markets. They did it to their own citizens and tried with Canada as well. Turn off the TV, send the Brits home, slow down, and view your fellow Americans as citizens. It will pay for itself. The ones who don't like that can move to Britain and see how long they last there with the imported labor and rubber stamper sell-outs. It is so simple, an imbred could figure it out, but they don't.
Shock & awe!
How can there be any belittleling of any benefits to our military? How dare you belittlelers. We mistreat & misuse our military historically, & no more in history than now. They deserve so much more than we give. Anyone who contests that should enlist, volunteer, join the Peace Corps, or find some way to do service to our country. If not, then you have no right to speak against any benefits for the military. Quit voting for people who support this war, & then griping about any "benefits" the troops might, & I repeat "might", receive. How dare you?!
Courage needs to be rewarded
It takes guts to leave your hometown, go thru training, deal with all sorts of people from all over. Even 2 years of service is good. Remember, education is an investment. We are not giving anything away here, we are investing. These guys who get a "free" education will be paying more taxes throughout the course of their lives that will total 50-100 times what their degree costs. Moreover, they will fill critical leadership positions. I would rather invest in a GI with 2 years of service than give a North End kid free drug rehab via my taxes any day. We waste a lot of money on do nothing people, lets look at that problem first.
Compromise
You must remember that in Congress, you have to aim for the full monty, because if you don't, you won't get squat. The bill that Senator Webb has proposed will most likely be altered and reduced..... he's no fool.... he knows that. So wait until the final version is proposed before criticizing the man for trying to help veterans in this way. He will have an uphill fight as it is. I would gladly pay my taxes to aid a veteran in this way.
GI Bill
I think the GI Bill does need revamping, but not what Senator Webb is proposing. If they want to do that, why not do what they do for officers going for a graduate degree? You want to go to college, fine, we'll send you as long as you have at leat 4 years left on active duty, college will be your assigned duty station, you will receive full pay and benefits since you are active and at your duty station. Then upon graduation you re-enlist for another 8. 2 years of duty for every year of pay while in school.
Bring it on!!!!
Being a veteran from Virginia ****!!! I grew up here in Chesapeake and while active duty in the Navy I watched people with home of record status from other states not have to pay state taxes here or in their home states. They could be the same rate and pay grade but bringing home more money at the end of the month. Even worse I've watched people from Illinois. Texas, and a few other states go home and get a full ride for College just for serving while they have the Navy college fund and GI Bill paying all their bills and a healthy personal life... I figure if a veteran is from VA at least community college should be free and their earned GI Bill should be used for subsistance. We don't need to create more money in this situation because I'm going to community college now, and trust me there are plenty of open seats! Virginia Veterans get very few perks because so many people (military) retire here. I was born and raised here though so why am I getting shafted?!
A bit too generous
I agree with John V.... offering a four year (or five or six or...) free ride is a bit excessive, especially for as little as two years of service. Even ROTC students owe four to six years after their free ride. Yes, it's is a great deed to serve your country in the military, and the GI bill provides a way for former soldiers to improve themselves, but at least tie time served directly to the amount of tuition eligibility. I also like the idea of allowing a spouse to take advantage of the funds if the soldier does not have the desire to.
selfish fools
You guys are a bunch of idiots. You people just love bashing people who are against your ill planned war and now you're bashing the same people you send there to fight this war. A bunch a hyprocrite selfish fools. That's why your party lost because they couldn't come up with a better way to support our troops.
GI Bill
I find it completely amazing the lack of support the troops are getting now. I fully support extending the GI bill for those who do their full term of service. In some cases this is the only way many of these people can afford to go to college, and I don't think that 4 years of service to your country in exchange for an education is too much to ask. I see today what I saw in my history books on the Vietnam war, a public fed up with a war, and blaming the troops. While I for one am too fed up with this war, as a military wife, I understand the sacrifices being made, and even though my family does not agree with this war and we do not support it, we support all service men and women doing their job. They may not like it, they may not agree with it, but they are doing their job. Give a little bit more support to those brave men and women in uniform. Quit nitpicking every little thing that politicians try to do to help the vets.
Huh?
I'm not going to be able to afford all the taxes this tax authority the cities are going to shove down our throats much less free college education for all who serve at least 2 years in the military. And 2 years is ridiculous. Hey, I have an idea! Make it part of the tax authority. Lessee -- where can I move to??
Yes, But Time for Time
I agree that benefits should be there increased benefits, but that it should matching a year for a year unless you have special circumstances such as a combat ribbon, a purple heart, early discharge for disability, etc.... To only serve two years anywhere, and get four years of benefits and to only serve since 9/11, however, is wrong.
Pandering...Webb is weak
Jim Webb is already showing that he is a pandering fool. He obstructs money for the troops and then comes up with this deal. A full ride for a couple of years of service is ridiculous. I am all for the GI Bill but not the way he wants to change it. He knows that it will not pass this way but it sure makes him look good.
Help, not a free ride
The GI College Fund is not meant to be a free ride! These veterans have been paid for their service to our country while on duty, and deserve help in College or Vocational schools when they get out, but the fact is, this is too much! It becomes mandatory for families trying to figure out how to pay for college to have the child enlist.
If you want to do this, just make service (not just military service, but government service) compulsory and make college free for everyone. Same net effect. Doesn't sound nearly as good that way, does it?
GI Bill
I am for an increase in the GI Bill as long as it is retro-active for us Viet Nam Era viets.
Senator Webb
We can pay for it if Senator Webb and the rest of Congress votes no to amnesty for 12-20 million illegal aliens! Lets wait and see how he votes.
reserve GI bill is a joke
I did not elect the GI bill during my active duty time but did elect to do a 6 yr hitch in the navy reserves in order to be eligible for the reserve GI bill, figuring it was similar to its active duty counterpart. What a surprise I got when the VA sent me a notice saying they would subsidize me $77 per credit hour. Considering each 3 semester hr course I take costs $750, the out-of-pocket difference that I have to pay per course is over $500! I am not eligible for student loans because of my family income, so I am stuck w/ the bill.
All I can say is the recruiter did a fine job (again) of selling me on the attributes of something (this time the reserve GI bill) and then I find out later he was full of crap.
I hope Mr. Webb can make true on his proposal and get some real college assistance for vets.
GI BILL for Spouses
I'm totally for the GI BILL for all Veterans, but as a Marine spouse, what I'm waiting for is for them to say that if a servicemember decides he's not going to college but has already put money into it, it should be allowed to be passed to the spouse. So many spouses want to attend college but can't afford it, so when we can use it I'll be absolutely thrilled! :)
Who will pay for this?
Well Jim Webb is at it again. Now instead of making the Commonwealth look foolish for voting him in he now wants to spend us into the poor house! As a former Vet I used my GI bill to help pay for school. But to expect a four year ride for only two years of service is a bit much. We need to support our vets but talking about plans that make him look good but we can't afford is the way this man will do his job till we can throw him out at the next election.
Already get a GI Bill
Military Veterans already get a large GI Bill for collegen, not to mention generous tuition assistance while on Active Duty. Webb's proposal is redundant and not needed. However, he has accidentally hit upon something with the monthly stipend. A lot of younger people who do one tour and get out could use that. If Webb or any other politician were really serious, they should offer to any military man/woman who physically served in Iraq or Afghanistan, not only the monthly stipend, but the option to be paid their entire GI Bill to do with as they please, rather than require it to be paid to colleges which already make too much money. But, the important thing here is that they should have to have served on the ground in the combat zone... not in the rear with the gear, or far out to sea safe and sound, with hot meals and a warm bed. WWII Vets were drafted and had no choice but to go, todays Vets are not. So, the rules for getting this money should be tighter.
What a Load
Webb is just playing the people once again. All he has done is talk trash and act like he supports the Military. The amount of former servicemembers that use the education benifits after leaving the service is about 27 percent (this Study was done 2 years ago) If you want to help the Veteran give them some access to services such as medical (VA) without the 2.5 year wait I had to get my surgery for an injury that occured in the service. Throw another smoke screen out there maybe we will forget the gun problem your aide had.. Oh wait he was lying it was not yours... You sir make me ashamed to call you a fellow Marine