The existing GI Bill makes it easier for veterans to earn a college degree, and another bill making its way through Congress may extend some of the benefits. The legislation, which has support from both parties, would require all public institutions to offer resident tuition rates, even to veterans who do not live in state, according to Military Times.
Known as the The GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act, the new law would go into effect in August 2014, and could open up a number of new educational opportunities to soldiers separating from service. Under the current rules, veterans who attend a public school outside their home state have to pay the difference between tuition and the funds offered by the GI Bill. The new law would help an estimated 40,000 troops save a considerable amount of money.
“The men and women who served this nation did not just defend the citizens of their home states, but the citizens of all 50 states,” the bill’s cosponsor, Rep. Jeff Miller, said in a statement. “The educational benefits they receive from the taxpayers should reflect that.”
Aside from helping veterans save money, the bill also addresses the fact that many soldiers have trouble distinguishing residency in a particular state due to frequent moves.