Education benefits expanded yet again

The Forever GI Bill has expanded again, this time by 15 provisions, adding to the 13 from last year. The bill, aka The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, provides an increasing number of education benefits to veterans, active duty, their families and survivors.

Here are some of the provisions that have just taken effect:

• Veteran and military families who have lost a family member who was getting education benefits can reallocate those benefits.

• Additional Guard and Reserve service now counts toward eligibility.

• The Yellow Ribbon Program is expanded, making more funds available for more students.

• Housing allowance is available for days not on active duty.

• Purple Heart recipients after Sept. 11, 2001 are eligible for benefits for 36 months.

• The Department of Veterans Affairs is developing a pilot program for high-tech training and skills.

• The Survivors’ and Dependents’ program is expanding from 36 to 45 months, and the monthly allowance is going up, starting in October.

• In addition, there are changes to monthly housing based on ZIP code, and restoration of benefits when schools close or a course of study is canceled.

Found on the VA’s benefits Twitter page [@VAVetBenefits]: “For VA benefits eligibility purposes, the Gulf War period is still in effect, which means that Gulf War Veterans may be eligible for a wide variety of VA benefits.” If you have questions, call the Education Call Center at 888-442-4551. Also see the whole list of education benefits at www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/FGIBSummaries.asp.

And in case you wondered, the Colmery in the bill’s name was a national commander of the American Legion who drafted the original GI Bill of Rights in 1944. Legend says he wrote the draft on some hotel stationery. We have him to thank for a lot of things.