A Semester Later, G.I. Bill Still Backlogged

GIBillStamp.jpgAlthough I still believe that Jim Webb-sponsored Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 is one of the greatest bills passed this past decade, it’s painful to see such a good program so mired in delay and inefficiency. Rep. Harry Mitchell of Arizona says enough is enough, especially considering the revelation that apparently some of the service members that are getting paid aren’t getting paid the right amount.

Rep. Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz., chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee’s oversight and investigations panel, said he is “disappointed” with VA’s performance in the fall semester, which left 26,000 people still waiting for benefits when classes ended.

VA officials said most of those 26,000 veterans have now been paid. But VA’s Jan. 4 report on pending benefits claims shows that more than 48,000 Post-9/11 GI Bill claims are still being processed. Some of those could be for the spring semester.

“With a second semester only weeks away, I believe the situation remains unacceptable,” Mitchell said in a letter to VA, in which he noted he continues to get complaints about long waits.

“The confusion and uncertainty about when checks will arrive, coupled with the need to meet immediate expenses, is adding stress to veterans at a time when many are already struggling with [post-traumatic stress disorder],” Mitchell said.

Mitchell, a former high school teacher, said one of the most worrisome things he has heard is that some veterans are talking about not attending college because of benefit problems.

Ambitious programs aren’t always problem-free, but considering the cost of higher-education, I hope that the Veterans Administration et al. is able rectify this as soon as possible.


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2 responses to “A Semester Later, G.I. Bill Still Backlogged”

  1. J.M. Prince Avatar
    J.M. Prince

    Thanks Jason, Still more frustrating on the underlying economics lately:

    http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2010/01/07/the-costs-and-benefits-of-grad-school/

    Via Felix Salmon’s Reuters blog:

    “The costs and benefits of grad school

    Jan 7, 2010 15:43 EST

    academe

    I‚Äôm a great believer in the benefits of an undergraduate education when it‚Äôs done right (which is rarely). But grad school is a different matter entirely: the opportunity costs are much higher, the amount of debt involved rises substantially, and the range of jobs you can do at the end of it in many ways goes down rather than up”.

    Follow the link for the disturbing graphs & stats.

    Not anything new to many.

    JMP

  2. Mouth of the South Avatar
    Mouth of the South

    Frustrating.

    really everyone (and by everyone, I mean most people, and by most people, I mean people that score highly enough on standardized tests) should be able to go to college for free, but at the very least we should allow for veterans to go. I have guest taught some college classes and the ex-Army people are on point and prepared. They really deserve to be there, and we should encourage that.

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