The lack of adequate resources and aid available to veterans who want to get a higher education is one of the most important untold stories in America.  Everyone supports the troops, and we assume that most of their needs will be taken care of.  But, in terms of giving our veterans a chance to go to a college or technical school, the facts show too many of them face significant hurdles.

Did you know that:

America’s soldiers must pay $1,200 in order to “sign up” for military education benefits?

It’s true.  In 1988, Congress voted to require our servicemembers to pay a $1,200 non-refundable fee, in order to receive money for college at a later date.  If a veteran eventually opts not to go to college, the money is not given back to the veteran, but to the U. S. Treasury.  That amounts to a “combat tax” for those who serve this nation in uniform.

The G.I. Bill, which was designed to give cover all of the expenses for college for our veterans, is now doing anything but that?

While the G.I. Bill still provides some financial assistance, and stands as a landmark pledge to those who serve our nation, it falls short of its promise because of the rising cost of higher education. 

The maximum yearly benefit available through the current GI Bill (to active duty veterans) is $9,675 or $38,700 over 4 years.  That’s about half of what it costs to go to a public college as an in-state student, a little more than one-third the cost for an out-of-state student, and less than a third of the cost of a private institution.

Those who were injured in war don’t even get full G.I. Bill benefits?

Sadly, disabled veterans lose out on G.I. Bill benefits. If a service member is discharged for disability, they are only entitled to as many months of G.I. Bill benefits as they served in the military.  So, for instance, if someone signed up for service and was deployed to Iraq three months later, and lost their leg in an enemy attack during their second month, that veteran would only be eligible for five months of G.I. Bill benefits – or just about one semester of school.

Most enlisted men and women do not have a college degree?

Because so many men and women enlist directly after high school, or soon thereafter, ninety percent of enlisted personnel do not have a bachelor’s degree or higher.  375,000 troops are separating from the military each year to resume their civilian lives.   While many potential employers value their service, we are simply not equipping our veterans with the education they need to fairly compete in today’s competitive job-placement environment.

These factors have created a situation where many veterans who want to go to a college, university, or technical school cannot get the assistance they need. It is for these heroes, who honorably served our nation, that the Fund for Veterans’ Education exists.  The Fund will help bridge the benefits gap for as many veterans as we possibly can, giving them a chance to fulfill their dream of a higher education. Learn more about our work on our About Us page.