Beginning May 1, 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs will begin processing applications for the new Post 9/11 GI Bill.  The GI Bill for the 21st Century, which was passed by Congress and signed into law last year, provides a full, four-year college education to any veteran who has served since September 11, 2001.  Veterans will be able to use the new educational benefits beginning August 1.

To be eligible, veterans must have served for at least 90 aggregate days or at least 30 days with a disability discharge since September 11, 2001.

Veterans should visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/ to sign up or call the GI Bill hotline with any questions at 1-888-GIBILL-1.  A detailed pamphlet on the GI Bill for the 21st Century can be found here.

Under the legislation:

• Service members, including those returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, can receive up to 36 months of education benefits, including stipends for housing and books.
• Veterans would have up to 15 years after they leave active duty to use their education benefits. 
• Veterans would have the ability to use their benefits for program fees, tuition, books and housing.
• Veterans would be able to use the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program, in which the federal government will match, dollar for dollar, any voluntary additional contributions to veterans from institutions whose tuition is more expensive than the maximum educational assistance provided under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. 
• Benefits are applicable for apprenticeships, vocational schools, and other non-traditional post-secondary educational settings.