The new GI Bill

    Last year, Congress enacted the new GI Bill for the 21st Century (the "Post-9/11 GI Bill") to restore the promise of a full, four-year college education for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Because the provisions are just now being fully enacted, many veterans have questions about their eligibility and level of benefits.
    Now that the new GI bill has become law, I want to make sure that Mainers have access to as much information as possible. That’s why I created an online resource for those seeking more information on the new GI Bill that Congress passed last year. The online resource can be accessed by visiting my website at www.michaud.house.gov where there is a link to it from the homepage as well as under the “Resources” menu tab.
    The new GI Bill resource page has answers to a number of frequently asked questions, including those about eligibility, level of benefits, what the benefit pays for, and how they are accessed. Eligibility questions are by far the most common. A veteran is eligible for the new benefits if they have completed at least 90 days of active duty service on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged. The new benefits also cover those discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days who were honorably discharged. In general, the benefits are correlated on a sliding scale to years served. To receive the maximum benefit, a veteran must have served on active duty for three years.
    In addition to frequently asked questions, the online resource also contains links to additional information such as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) GI Bill website, information about tuition and fees that are covered, and a letter from the Director of the VA Education Service explaining the new Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. There is also a link to the application veterans need to fill out to begin the process of receiving the benefit. This application can be filled out online through the Veterans Online Application System or downloaded and mailed. On May 1st, veterans could begin to apply for a certificate of eligibility for the new college benefits, which will become available on August 1st.
    All veterans can call 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to speak with a veterans benefits counselor to discuss the new GI Bill or other veteran education programs, such as the Montgomery GI Bill or the Reserve Education Assistance Program. I also encourage you to call my office if you need help, want an application, or need more information.
    In the meantime, I encourage all Mainers to visit the new online resource on my website. Delivering updated and expanded educational benefits to our nation’s veterans is finally one step closer to becoming a reality.
U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud
(D-Maine)