New GI Bill on Track, VA Director Says

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New GI Bill on Track, VA Director Says
February 27, 2009
Virginian-Pilot

WASHINGTON -- Federal authorities are on track to launch a multi-billion dollar student aid program for military veterans this summer, the official overseeing the effort told lawmakers Thursday.

While some veterans groups are raising concerns about the government's preparedness, Keith Wilson, the director of education services for the Department of Veterans Affairs, said he has high confidence that benefit checks will begin flowing on Aug. 1 to up to 500,000 students and the colleges they attend.

Wilson told a House subcommittee that the VA will begin accepting applications for aid by May 1. Student veterans who qualify will receive certificates by Aug. 1 that they can present to their schools in lieu of at least part of their regular tuition and fees. The schools will be reimbursed by the VA.

The new aid is part of a "Post 9/11 GI Bill" passed last year. The legislation was introduced by U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, a Virginia Democrat who made it a signature issue in his 2006 campaign.

The law, which the VA expects will cost $78 billion over 10 years, will provide Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans with tuition aid up to the maximum tuition and fees charged at the most expensive public college in the state where the veteran enrolls.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/February-2009/new-gi-bill-on-track-va-director-says.html?col=1186032310810