Summer shed some new light on the old G.I. Bill, which had been left in the dark since World War II. Southwestern College Vets called it a "big deal."
New federal legislative Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, offers expanded benefits for veterans and their dependents. Jim Jones, SWC Veterans Service Specialist, said this new program is one of the best ever offered.
"This is the benefit that's been long overdue," said Jones. "They're very deserving of this benefit considering the sacrifices made to this country."
Created by Congress in 1944 to help people who have served the country pursue secondary education, the G.I. Bill has struggled to keep up with inflation and the rising price of higher education.
That has changed, Jones said. Fees such as tuition, books and living expenses for students can be supported by the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill for students taking at least seven units per semester.
Mike Anzures, former vice president of the SWC Student Veteran Organization, said he was pleased.
"The program itself is fantastic," said Anzures. "It really rewards everyone who's served our country to keep on going onto bigger and better things. I think that's awesome."
Prior to the new legislation veterans had to rely on the Montgomery Bill.
Its requirements were more stringent and was less rewarding, said Jones. It required monthly payments by service people that added up to $1,200 a year.
Jones said he used the old bill and was left with many uncovered expenses to deal with while in school, tough on a single parent.
"The Post 9/11 Bill is more realistic," Jones said.
Former SVO Secretary Albert Fulcher, 50, said he is not eligible for the new G.I. Bill because he was not on active duty after 9/11. He said its benefits are bounteous.
"Oh God there are so many!" Fulcher said.
He said that the G.I. Bill has changed many times, including once during his service from 1978 to 1989. His favorite part of the new GI Bill, he said, was that it allowed a living allowance for veterans as if they were still in the military.
"That's big," said Fulcher. "The cost of living allowance is big, especially for veterans. That's a really big deal! Nothing this big has happened before."
While it is clear that people view the new bill superior to all those that preceded it, some are upset with delays in payment.
David Mclean, an SWC finance major ready to take full advantage of the new benefits, he is still waiting for his payment to come through.
"I've had to pay for books out of pocket," said Mclean. "I'm having to worry about how I'm going to pay my rent at the end of the month."
Students can be sure that the VA office is doing the best that they can, said Anzures. As students begin to receive their payments, he said they will no longer have to worry about making ends meet while attending classes.
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