In a move that has pleasantly surprised veterans and their supporters, the new Post-9/11 GI Bill will improve the educational benefits program for veterans serving on or after September 11, 2001. The bill goes into effect August 1, 2009 and mirrors the design of the original GI Bill, which gave over two-million returning World War II veterans the opportunity to attend any school they wanted while also receiving a living stipend. The program will grant, on average, $80,000 to each service member to use towards higher education, which will include tuition and fees payments, a monthly housing allowance, a yearly book and supplies stipend and, to certain individuals, a one-time payment to assist in relocating from rural areas in order to attend the school of their choice. In comparison to the current Montgomery GI Bill, which contributes less than half this amount and included a non-refundable payment of $1,200, the new bill is “a very well thought-out benefit and a crucial factor to assist in the transition back to civilian life,” explains David Burden, Project Manager for Veterans Service Commission.“Because the new bill is set up to pay up to the highest in-state public university’s tuition, veterans are no longer limited by high price tags,” explains Burden. “They’re also allowed to transfer benefits to their dependents, which is, in my opinion, one of the most encouraging aspects of the program.”In order to be eligible to transfer benefits to a spouse or dependent child, the service member will have to meet certain requirements. The Department of Defense will be releasing more details in the coming months, but currently, this alternative covers tuition expenses only and will be available only to those on active duty or in reserve drill status as of August 1, 2009.  The new bill also extends the length of time that veterans are eligible for benefits, from 10 years with the MGIB, to 15 years with the new program, which starts immediately following their last day of active duty. The new bill will grant 36 months of educational assistance, similar to the MGIB. To find out if you are eligible for educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and for more information regarding this and other programs, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill website at www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-442-4551 to speak with a Department of Veterans Affairs benefits representative.