CA VETERANS TO GET FULL GI BENEFIT

 Agreement between State of California and VA Will Result in Dramatic Increase in Benefits for Yellow Ribbon Program

August 27, 2009 (Washington, D.C.) – A recent agreement between the State of California and the Veterans Administration will result in a dramatic increase in benefits for the Yellow Ribbon program, which helps veterans afford tuition and fee costs at colleges and universities.

“The new G.I. Bill provides tuition to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars based on the cost of the most expensive four year public university in the state,” announced Cogressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. “ In California, public schools traditionally do not charge tuition, but have relatively high fees. As a result, veterans attending private school in California would receive much less of a basic tuition benefit, he noted.

“I am pleased that leaders in California were able to determine a better way to define tuition and that VA is able to consider this new interpretation for the purposes of calculating the state’s maximum payments,” Filner said. “Now the maximum basic benefit VA can pay in California will increase and provide California veterans with the same opportunities to attend private schools as veterans in other states. This agreement will go into effect immediately, allowing Fall 2009 student veterans to receive this benefit increase.”

He added, “Returning veterans have shown their commitment to our country by their service and it is important to provide to our most dedicated citizens an opportunity to receive the education and training they missed while serving in the military. I am confident that the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill will help make our veterans part of the economic recovery, much like the veterans of World War II. ”