New GI Bill Increases Benefits For Military Personnel

By ABC-7 Reporter/Anchor Veronique Masterson

EL PASO, Texas — The Department of Veteran’s Affairs is making it easier for active or retired military to get a degree for free.

Classes at UTEP begin Aug. 24, and officials are hoping to see more military faces hitting the books.

The goal of the post 9-11 GI Bill is to give veterans new opportunities for better lives after the military.

“I’ve always wanted to join and serve my country and I did that and I did it proudly,” said David Nunez. He is now reaping the benefits of his labor. He is going to UTEP for a degree in marketing and also works at UTEP’s veteran affairs program.

He said he has noticed an influx of active and retired military coming by his office for information.

The new bill means some service members who served after 9-11 can get 100 percent of their college education paid for.

To be eligible, the person has to have served three years of active duty service or at least 30 days if they were discharged because of a service-connected disability.

Benefits include full payment of tuition and fees at any state school. The amount paid is limited to the highest amount of tuition and fees charged for full-time, undergraduate training at a public university or college in the state where the student is enrolled.

“In other words, if you want to go to a private school here in Texas and it exceeds the highest in-state tuition, then you have to make up the difference,” Nunez said.

You could also get a housing allowance and up to $1,000 for books and school supplies.

“The government’s giving you a free bachelor’s degree. All you have to do is go to class. I don’t know what more you can ask for. The possibilities are endless with what you want to do with your life,” Nunez said.

The new bill went into effect Saturday and can be applied to expenses for the upcoming school year. It will also allow veterans who serve at least 10 years to pass unused benefits to their families.