August 5, 2009: The U.S. has introduced some more, much requested, benefits for its military veterans, and those who are still in uniform. The new GI Bill will provide $78 billion over the next ten years for military personnel and veterans going to college, and will allow use at private, as well as public, universities. Chief among these new changes are the ability to transfer educational benefits to a spouse or children. This recognizes the fact that nearly all officers, and an increasing number of enlisted personnel, already have college degrees. But the cost of helping a spouse or children go to college is high, and being able to use the veterans educational benefits is a big help. Maximum monthly benefits depend on the state you are in, and the school you are attending. The new law only allows transfer of these benefits while on active duty, which takes some of the sting out of the uniformed spouse being overseas in a combat zone. The new educational benefits are the closest any have come to the ones enjoyed by World War II veterans, which sharply increased the number of college educated people in the United States. This was critical in maintain decades of economic growth after World War II.
