The Combat Tax for College, the GI Bill and The Fund for Veterans Education

When it comes to finding money to fund services for the our veterans the current crop of congressional leadership is woefully deficient except,of course, when it comes to tooting their own horn of greatness or greed. For example, last year U.S. House members spent $20.3 million in hard earned taxpayer money to send constituents the government equivalent of junk mail. Little gas bags mailings of what the congressman/woman did or who shook whose hand or pithy advice like "keep your tires inflated". This week, these spend thrift worthies finally passed a $555 billion bill that funds the Iraq warbill but included 9,800 earmarks, aka PORK that totals more than $10 billion to fund their little "monuments to me". Projects you will later see as the Senator BlahBlah Highway or dam or recreational center. But when it comes to making sure the vet gets a GI Bill that keeps up with the current tutition rates, well, forgetaboutit. Fortunately, the folks at The Fund for Veterans Education, many of them vets themselves, are looking out for our greatest generation by helping make the dream of college a reality. They need your help. With your dollars and letters to your congressman or woman you can help hold congressional leadership feet to the fire to provide a better GI Bill that pays educational bills in the 21st century and not WWII.

What is the Fund for Veterans’ Education?
The Fund for Veterans’ Education (FVE) was established to provide scholarships
to veterans of all branches of the United States Armed Forces who have served
in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Why is the Fund for Veterans’ Education needed?
The educational opportunities that the G.I. Bill of 1944 gratefully offered to
veterans of World War II are no longer provided to today’s generation of veterans.
While the cost of tuition, room, board and fees has increased, the benefits
available to veterans have decreased. The College Board reports that the average
yearly expenses for an in-state student at a public institution are $16,000 and
more than $26,000 for an out-of-state student. By contrast, the maximum
educational benefit available to veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan is
just $1,101 per month. Those veterans who served combat tours in the National
Guard or Reserves are eligible for even less—typically just $440 per month.

The lack of adequate resources and aid available to veterans who want to get a higher education is one of the most important untold stories in America. Everyone supports the troops, and we assume that most of their needs will be taken care of. But, in terms of giving our veterans a chance to go to a college or technical school, the facts show too many of them face significant hurdles.

Did you know that:

· America’s soldiers must pay $1,200 in order to “sign up” for military education benefits?

It’s true. In 1988, Congress voted to require our service members to pay a $1,200 non-refundable fee, in order to receive money for college at a later date. If a veteran eventually opts not to go to college, the money is not given back to the veteran, but to the U. S. Treasury. That amounts to a “combat tax” for those who serve this nation in uniform.

· The G.I. Bill, which was designed to give cover all of the expenses for college for our veterans, is now doing anything but that?

While the G.I. Bill still provides some financial assistance, and stands as a landmark pledge to those who serve our nation, it falls short of its promise because of the rising cost of higher education.

The maximum yearly benefit available through the current GI Bill (to active duty veterans) is $9,675 or $38,700 over 4 years. That’s about half of what it costs to go to a public college as an in-state student, a little more than one-third the cost for an out-of-state student, and less than a third of the cost of a private institution.

· Those who were injured in war don’t even get full G.I. Bill benefits?

Sadly, disabled veterans lose out on G.I. Bill benefits. If a service member is discharged for disability, they are only entitled to as many months of G.I. Bill benefits as they served in the military. So, for instance, if someone signed up for service and was deployed to Iraq three months later, and lost their leg in an enemy attack during their second month, that veteran would only be eligible for five months of G.I. Bill benefits – or just about one semester of school.

· National Guardsmen and Reservists are not eligible for any benefits, once their contracts are up?

The National Guard and Reserves have been deployed in large numbers to Iraq and Afghanistan. Unlike those who served in the Army, Marines, Air Force, or Navy, National Guardsmen’s and Reservists’ education benefits are cut off once they separate from the service. That is regardless of whether they received their full benefits or not. Even while serving their contract with the military, Guardsmen and Reservists are only entitled to 3,960 a year in benefits – a small fraction of the cost to attend most colleges and universities.

· Most enlisted men and women do not have a college degree?

Because so many men and women enlist directly after high school, or soon thereafter, ninety percent of enlisted personnel do not have a bachelor’s degree or higher. 375,000 troops are separating from the military each year to resume their civilian lives. While many potential employers value their service, we are simply not equipping our veterans with the education they need to fairly compete in today’s competitive job-placement environment.

These factors have created a situation where many veterans who want to go to a college, university, or technical school cannot get the assistance they need. It is for these heroes, who honorably served our nation, that the Fund for Veterans’ Education exists. The Fund will help bridge the benefits gap for as many veterans as we possibly can, giving them a chance to fulfill their dream of a higher education. Learn more about our work on our About Us page.

Also, please consider making a donation today, to support the work we are doing. We are fully funded through generous endowments and donations, from people who support the troops, like you.