The GI Bill: a little bit of help and a whole lot of bills

With the price of tuition and books skyrocketing, today's GI Bill benefits cover only half the costs of a college education, the Press-Telegram reports. As a result, soldiers returning home from often harrowing tours of duty find a new and difficult fight ahead of them.

Initiated more than six decades ago, the Serviceman's Readjustment Act -- commonly referred to as the GI Bill -- promised veterans a tuition-free education plus a living stipend. At the time, that amounted to about $500 a year for tuition, books and supplies.

Today, GI Bill benefits range from $300 to $1,200 a month depending on the number of courses a veteran is taking. Benefits run for 36 months, for a total of about $40,000, and veterans have 10 years to tap into the money.

But that still amounts to only about half of the costs at many of the nation's universities. In Southern California, the California State University system's annual costs are about $18,000. At UC campuses, annual expenses can hit $25,000.

More in the full story.

-- Veronique de Turenne

Illustration: Michael Osbun/Tribune Media Services

Comments

[Jason M]

Uh, so. Take out a student loan like everyone else.

[Greg M]

You're a dork Jason. My "new" GI Bill benefits amounted to $256/month which was supposed to be a benefit to offset two years of serving my country in the Army that paid $13, 427 salary for the two years combined. The old GI Bill paid for college, the new one doesn't; the loans should be for FOOD servicemen like you...

[Michael R]

"Uh, so" is a question, not a statement.

I use the GI Bill in addition to loans. I still struggle to get a decent education in the face of rising educational cost. Also understand, most people leaving the military are not 19 and have spouses and families. This factor only exacerbates the problem. The fact of the matter is: the GI Bill is not doing what it was designed to due because of inflation. All these vets want is what was promised to them to begin with: a decent education in exchange for serving their country.

[Daniel E]

It is a little bit backwards I think. Some kids go to college straight out of school and start out life with a ton of debt. Other, like me, decide to earn the benefit my joining the service. Now that did 8 years and am out, it would be nice if I didn't defeat the purpose of joining by ending up with debt after college anyway. Paying for college is a small price for the government to pay for the years of service most soldiers do.

[T Abel]

As a military member of over 21 years, I do not believe a military member of only a few years should receive an educational benefit that was greater than what we have today. The DOD is concerned that a better GI Bill would attract young military members away from serving their country. I also agree. I believe better benefits should be reserved for members that serve at least 10 years.