WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 81, The Bartlett Montgomery GI Bill Act

Comment by Robert Berkheiser, USAF, Retired (May 27, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

This bill needs to grandfather in all who currently have GI bill benefits (VEAP and Montgomery GI2). It would be a wonderful benefit to pass on to our children....

Comment by Tony Allen (April 20, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Pass this bill ASAP!...

Comment by Tracy Hawkins (November 20, 2007, 01:00:00)

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

I am a active duty spouse. I have been attending college since 2004 and have racked up a moderate debt already. My husband can retire at any time now and is just waiting for me to finish school. He will not be using all his GI Bill as he will need to work after retiring. We would like to use his benefit to pay off my school loans, or at least allow our teenage son to use it when he's ready for college....

Comment by Kevin McAllister (September 19, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I am also a veteran who served 10 years of service and feel that it wouldnt be fair to make this applicable to all those who have served. My daughter is 23 so she has to list us on her FAFSA Forms and because of this she is not eligible for financial assistance. I have not used my GI Bill as of yet and have two years of eligibility left and I would love to be able to transfer it onto my duaghter. Better used than lost....

Revision by webmaster (September 19, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 81 would amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that members of the Armed Forces and Selected Reserve may transfer certain educational assistance benefits to dependents.

Detailed Summary

Bartlett Montgomery GI Bill Act - Amends the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program to allow an individual who has completed six years of service in the Armed Forces and enters into an agreement to serve at least four more years to transfer their educational assistance entitlement to their spouse, child, or a combination thereof.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide a percentage annual increase in the rates of such educational assistance based on the average monthly costs of higher education.

Authorizes reimbursement of reductions in basic pay for educational assistance coverage in the case of extended active-duty service.

Provides similar eligibility for the transfer of educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve who have completed at least six years of service and enter into an agreement to remain a member of such Reserve for at least four more years.

Provides educational assistance eligibility credit for cumulative active-duty service in the Selected Reserve.

Increases the rates of educational assistance under the Reserve Montgomery GI Bill.

Applies an annual adjustment to the rates of survivors' and dependents' educational assistance.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 1/25/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (September 19, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 81 would amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that members of the Armed Forces and Selected Reserve may transfer certain educational assistance benefits to dependents.

Detailed Summary

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide a percentage annual increase in the rates of such educational assistance based on the average monthly costs of higher education.

Authorizes reimbursement of reductions in basic pay for educational assistance coverage in the case of extended active-duty service.

Provides educational assistance eligibility credit for cumulative active-duty service in the Selected Reserve.

Increases the rates of educational assistance under the Reserve Montgomery GI Bill.

Applies an annual adjustment to the rates of survivors' and dependents' educational assistance.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 3/2/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Comment by Jackie Jones, USAF (May 11, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 11 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT

This bill is important for all service members with families. I can only speak from my point of view, but I'm sure we all have circumstances that prove this bill to be desperately needed. My story is just one example: I've served in the Air Force for almost 20 years. I'm a single parent with a son getting ready to graduate from High School. According to FAFSA, my estimated family contribution consists of my life's savings for 1 year of my son's college. He is a smart, wonderful student, but without major financial assistance/scholarships, I cannot afford to send him. Why should I not be able to make the decision of where this money goes? What happens to it, if I don't use it after I retire? Our children deserve this; they've served/sacrificed right alongside us, and they are an integral part of the military family. Thank you for bringing this topic to the table. Please pass this bill!...

Comment by Robert Chatman, USN Retired (April 20, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I agree...this bill does not seem to address those who joined under VEAP. I was given an option to convert, but 9/11 happened, and our paperwork was "lost". I was aware of that until it came time for me to retire, which was much too late. There was bill "S.13" that Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] introduced on 1/24/2005 that also addressed retirees...I hope a similar bill will be introduced....

Comment by Paula Houp, U.S. Air Force (March 8, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST

This bill does not address individuals that have seperated from the military. I served my country for 10 years and received a medical disability seperation approximately two years ago. I would like to have the opportunity to transfer this benefit to my daughter, however after reviewing the proposed bill it appears I am not able to; due to the fact I am no longer in the active duty military. I have completed my Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree, therefore I doubt if this benifit will ever be utilized by myself. Please address individuals that have since retired or seperated from the military in this bill....

Status as of March 2, 2007

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST

3/2/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Comment by SFC Nathan Sommers, U.S. Army (March 1, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST

I think this is a wonderful idea. With the cost of education going up, and the feasibility of returning to school while raising 3 schoolage children after 10-20 years of service bordering on absurdity, this is one of the more intelligent ideas to come out of Congress in a long while....

Comment by WO1 Derrick M. Holland U.S. Army (February 28, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 EST

I would like to see this bill passed. I have a degree and would rather my benefits be passed on to my children to futher their education. Most do not even us their money within the required time and lose it. Why not educate our youth....

Comment by SFC Jason Erron, U.S. Army (February 22, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:00:00 EST

I utilize tuition assistance and it has allowed me to complete my Bachelors degree. I do not think that I will be afforded the opportunity to attend college after retiring because I would have to work. These benefits would go to waste. Transferring this benefit to my dependents is an excellent idea. What happens to the money that is not utilized by soldiers, if they themselves do not attend college after separation?...

Status as of January 25, 2007

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 EST

1/25/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.