District of Columbia: 21st century GI Bill available

As of this month, veterans can receive education benefits (undergraduate, graduate, vocational and technical) under the new GI Bill for the 21st Century. Members of the military who have served on active duty for at least 90 days beginning September 11, 2001, including activated reservists and members of the National Guard are eligible to apply for up to four years of education benefits, stipends for housing and books. Full benefits are available for all children of fallen soldiers, with no minimum military service needed to qualify."The new program is a considerable improvement over its puny predecessor that was truly unworthy of today's military volunteers, who are still shouldering the brunt of two very difficult wars," Norton said.

The program still is far below the free tuition, room, and board of the original WWII G.I. bill, but Norton worked hard to see that D.C. National Guard members got equal treatment with enlisted personnel because the Guard has provided most of D.C.'s active duty soldiers. The District of Columbia rate is only $105 per credit hour for a tuition or $657 per term plus mandatory fees because this amount represents the most expensive public college here, the University of the District of Columbia, the District's only public university. However, in addition to the G.I. bill, the Congresswoman's D.C. National Guard Retention and College Access Act recently re-named to honor Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., provides an education benefit of $400 per credit hour, up to $5,500 a year to be used in combination with current Department of Defense education assistance programs. Wherley, the recently retired commanding general, died along with his wife, Ann, and other regional residents in the June Metro collision. On the Net: www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm.