Obama Celebrates Post 9/11 GI Bill

On Monday, Obama celebrated the Post 9/11 GI Bill, a new GI Bill dedicated to the veterans that fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is meant to be an investment in veterans, reserve, active duty, and the future of America.

The Obama administration expects $78 billion to be paid out over the Post 9/11 GI Bill over the next decade.

“We do this not just to meet our moral obligation to those who sacrificed greatly on our behalf, on behalf of the country,” quotes Obama at a celebration held at George Mason University. “We do it because these men and women must now be prepared to lead our nation in the peaceful pursuit of economic leadership in the 21st century.”

The goal is for eligible veterans, servicemen and women, Reserve and National Guard members to attend public colleges or universities for free for four years. Thanks to the Yellow Ribbon Program, private schools may be included in this as well. There is also a monthly housing stipend and $1,000 a year for books through the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Obama mentioned how the 1.9 million troops that have been deployed due to the recent wars joined the military knowing the risk. Now it’s time that this risk be paid back with education.

“The contributions that servicemen and women can make to our nation do not end when they take off that uniform,” Obama said. “We owe a debt to all who served and when we repay that debt to those bravest Americans among us, then we are investing in our future.”

Service members who agree to serve four more years in the military may be eligible for family transferability, allowing their dependents (children and spouse) to use their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. There is an estimate of a million veterans and family members participating just at the start-up of the program.

More than 100,000 claims have already been processed, and more than 25,000 service members have applied to use the transfer benefit.