GI Bills Enacted Prior to 2008 and Related Veterans’ Educational Assistance Programs: A Primer

Abstract

[Excerpt] This report provides a detailed description of five of the six educational assistance programs (GI Bills®)1 that are currently available to veterans or other eligible individuals through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The GI Bills provide financial assistance while enrolled in approved programs of education or training programs to individuals whose eligibility is based on a qualifying individual’s service in the uniformed services. The sixth program, which is the most recently enacted, is the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Title 38 U.S.C., Chapter 33). It is described in CRS Report R42755, The Post-9/11 Veterans’ Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Post-9/11 GI Bill): A Primer. Congress regularly considers potential operational and benefit improvements for these programs and enacts legislation accordingly.