Barrasso Aims to Improve G.I. Bill
Press Release
Barrasso Aims to Improve G.I. Bill
U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., is backing a bill to improve education benefits for members of the armed services and veterans.
"It is our duty as Americans to ensure our brave men and women receive the best possible education benefits," Barrasso said. "This bill goes a long way to updating the G.I. bill, and providing service members the flexibility they need to continue their education."
Barrasso is an original cosponsor of the "Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention and Readjustment Through Education Act."
The bill enhances the Montgomery G.I. Bill to help more military personnel attend college debt-free, and allows them to transfer their unused education benefits to their spouse or children. It also encourages service members to continue their military careers.
The bill was introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Burr (R-NC), and John McCain (R-AZ).
The bill
- Increases education benefits for active duty personnel to $1500 a month increasing to $2000 a month after 12 or more years of service>
- Allows service members to transfer their education benefits to spouses and dependent children. After 6 years of service, half of the benefit can be transferred, and after 12 years of service, 100% may be transferred to a spouse or dependent children>
- Increases education benefits for Guard and Reserve members called to active duty since September 11, 2001 from $880 to $1200 per month.
- Increases benefits to $1600 per month for members of the Guard and Reserves who serve 12 or more years in the Select Reserve.
- Doubles education benefits for other members of the Guard and Reserves.
- Allows service members to use up to $6,000 per year of Montgomery G.I. Bill education benefits to repay federal student loans.
- Creates a matching program to help veterans graduate debt-free. An additional $3,000 per year can be paid to a college or university by the VA when the school retires some or all of the service member's debt.
- Provides access to Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits for service academy graduates and Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps officers who continue serving beyond their initial commitment.
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