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H.R. 2247, The Montgomery GI Bill for Life Act of 2007 (14 comments ↓ | 3 wiki edits)
H.R. 2247 would amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to repeal the 10-year limit on use of Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance benefits.
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Visitor Comments
WILLIAM WHITE
I SUPPORT THIS EFFORT. . I AM NOW IN A PLACE WHERE I CAN USE THE BENEFIT, BUT CANT ACCESS THE PROGRAM. I AM ALSO NOW RATED BY THE VA AS 80% SERVICE CONNECTED DISABLED. PLEASE RESPOND.
Robert in Texas
It seems as though legislation has stalled in both houses. My appeal started in November of 2006 and has yet to be heard since the back log is about a year or more. Hopefully some folks in Washington will realize that this is messed up and take action. The only problem will be getting reimbursed since I graduate next May and I have not been paid for education since my end date of Dec 31, 2006. In my case I had to take 2 jobs out of the military to support my mother and ailing father. Then when he passed in 2001 it took another 3 years to get mom settled and me out of major debt. By that time I went on the waiting list for school and time simply ran out. Keep the support coming and don't let up on the decision makers in Washington.
Bill Brown
I feel I served my country voluntaily when it needed me. I had to work to support myself after serving 13 years in active and reserve and didn't get to complete my education. I earned the benefits why should they expire?
Ed Canino
My wife served honorably in the Air Force and chose to by into the MGIB. After she separated, she home schooled our children. Now that she would like to use her GI Bill, the time limit has expired.
I like the new efforts to transfer benifits to spouses and children but the veterans that purchased the benifit and are refused the benifit due to the 10-year restriction are overlooked. This doesn't make sense. I hope our leaders can see the lack of fairness by overlooking the thousands that missed the benifit due to a time restraint but allowing non-veterans to tap into it.
Tom in Wa State
This is something that needs to be done. A recent Navy Times reported that nearly 97% of the service members who joined during the MGIB era payed into it their first year, yet only 30% of them actually use the benefits. I believe the primary reasons for this is the readjustment period back to civilian life, including a job, family, or disability factors. This should not be a time-limited benefit.
Patricia Banes
I served in the my time and was unable to use my educational benefits due to ailing mother now deceased and disability factors in my life that are service-connected. I now am able to use my benefits and the time limitation is about to run out. This should not happen to anyone who has served their time, this time frame should be eliminated we have paid into the benefit and should be allowed to utilize it.
Jason McCarthy
I'm supporting this because I just learned my benifits have expired. After my discharge in 1994, I was doing all I could to support my wife and two children. Now I'm in a place in my life where I'd like to go back to school and use the gi bill I contributed to. I'm very dissapointed.
Gadiel Ramos
I gave the armed forces several years of my life and although I signed up for the GI Bill I was very young at the time I had of 10years to use it. Now, married and with kids, and a working professional decided to go to school after 11 years. I never knew what I wanted till now. I believe the GI bill should be available to the veteran at any time. I did graduated with my BA but with out my GI bill. I do plan to go back for my masters and I would love for this bill to pass. It will help a lot, and maybe pay for this current student loan I have. You guys have my vote!
VetJustice
I too agree that the GI Bill should be available without a deadline date to use it. As someone mentioned before, that for those like myself who paid $1200 into it would lose not only the use of the GI Bill but also the $1200 one invests. I pray that this bill is passed because God knows that it is only the right thing to do and just one of the many things that need to be corrected for all the veterans that are treated like dirt. So sad, the whole VA needs to be revamped to do what they should be doing for all the men and women whom gave their service for this country
Chris in New York
I just applied for benefits knowing that that time would be running out soon to use them. They now tell me I have to use all of my benefit by 7/18/08 - just a couple of weeks away. I was not ready to right back to school after getting out in 1998 - I now have a family and would like to use those benefits - how can I do that in 2 short weeks? We should be able to make that decision for ourselves and not the government for once.
Aaron in Ohio
After getting out of the Navy I did go back to school but when my fiance got pregnant I had to take on 3 jobs to support my family. I fell on hard times and was unable to go back to school. I really need to get back in to get an education so that I can have skills for a better job. I served during war time and I feel that all veterans should be able to use their education benefits at anytime. I SUPPORT THIS 100%.
Ivan in New York
I am also in the same situation. Now is the right time for me to go to school, but I did not know there was a time limit on my GI Bill. I missed the deadline by two years. I feel very dissapointed after all the time, sweat, blood, and teers I gave the Army at a very young age. I was in Saudi Arabia eating flies for dinner at the age of 20. GIVE ME MY BILL! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
Charles Ledford
I am also in this situation. I retired from the US Army in 1999 with 27 years active duty and 10 years in Army Reserve. I was unable to start using my Education Benefits due to the health of my mother who lived with me and was recognized as my dependant by the military. My mother passed away in 2006 at the age of 93. I don’t regret having to take care of her. I started using my education benefits in 2007. My benefits will go away in January 2009. Once this happens I will not be able to continue with my college education. I also see now that if you enlisted after nine eleven you have 15 years to use your benefits. Something is wrong with the system. If your service was before nine eleven, does this make your service less of a value? I don’t think so
Kathy now 41
I also am a veteran, and when I got out of the service, I had a 2 year old boy and was pregnant with my second child. That was by no means the time for me to scurry off to college. Yes, I had dreams and goals, but realistically they have been put on hold. Now that my children are 18, 16, and 13, I am ready to go back to school and start a career. I really want congress to change that law. It is very important to me and to all of you. When the date passed that my GI benefits expired, I was very disappointed and knew my chances for education were gone. I even tried to attend two different colleges during the 10 years, but 'life and family' always came first. So now I sit with two years of hodgepodge college education and no degree. THANKS CONGRESS!