Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act

Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act is a federal law that provides educational assistance to United States Armed Forces veterans who served after the September 11 attacks, particularly those who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The law was enacted to support Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion members, as well as National Guard and Reserve component personnel, in their pursuit of higher education at institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Act is administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, in collaboration with the United States Department of Education and the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Introduction

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush on June 30, 2008, as part of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008, with the support of Senator Jim Webb and Representative Bobby Scott. The law is designed to provide educational benefits to United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard veterans who served on or after September 11, 2001, including those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Act also provides benefits to Spouses of veterans and Dependents of veterans, as well as Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance recipients, who attend institutions like University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan, and Georgia Institute of Technology. The law is part of a broader effort to support Veterans' benefits and Transition assistance programs, in partnership with organizations like the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Legislative History

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act was introduced in the 110th United States Congress by Senator Jim Webb and Representative Bobby Scott, with the support of Senator John McCain and Representative Jeff Miller. The bill was passed by the United States Senate on June 26, 2008, and by the United States House of Representatives on June 19, 2008, with the backing of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the National Association of Veterans' Program Administrators. The law was signed by President George W. Bush on June 30, 2008, as part of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008, which also included funding for the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. The law has been amended several times, including by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 and the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010, with the support of Senator Daniel Akaka and Representative Bob Filner.

Eligibility and Benefits

To be eligible for the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act benefits, veterans must have served at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, including service in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Eligible veterans can receive up to 36 months of educational benefits, which can be used to pursue a degree at institutions like University of Texas at Austin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and University of Washington. The benefits include tuition and fees, as well as a monthly housing allowance and a books and supplies stipend, similar to those provided by the GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill. The law also provides benefits to Spouses of veterans and Dependents of veterans, as well as Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance recipients, who attend institutions like Purdue University, University of Southern California, and Duke University.

Application and Certification Process

To apply for the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act benefits, veterans must submit an application to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, which can be done online or by mail, with the support of organizations like the Veterans Benefits Administration and the National Association of Veterans' Program Administrators. The application requires documentation of military service, including DD Form 214 and DD Form 215, as well as proof of enrollment in a degree program at an institution like Columbia University, University of Chicago, or California Institute of Technology. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs will then certify the veteran's eligibility and notify the institution of the veteran's benefits, in partnership with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and the College Board.

Impact and Statistics

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act has had a significant impact on the lives of United States Armed Forces veterans, with over 1 million veterans using the benefits to pursue higher education at institutions like New York University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University. According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the law has provided over $30 billion in educational benefits to veterans since its enactment, with the support of organizations like the Student Veterans of America and the National Association of Veterans' Program Administrators. The law has also helped to increase the number of veterans pursuing higher education, with a significant increase in the number of veterans enrolled in institutions like University of Florida, University of Georgia, and Ohio State University.

Amendments and Updates

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act has been amended several times since its enactment, including by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 and the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010, with the support of Senator Daniel Akaka and Representative Bob Filner. The law has also been updated to include new provisions, such as the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, which expanded the law's benefits to include Vocational rehabilitation and Employment assistance programs, in partnership with organizations like the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The law continues to be an important part of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs' efforts to support Veterans' benefits and Transition assistance programs, in collaboration with institutions like University of California, Los Angeles, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Cornell University.

Category:United States federal veterans' legislation