House passes GI Bill

[Apocalypse]

• Will pay tuition up to the max amount for the most expensive state school.
• Will provide a monthly living stipend, based on the area of the school. This is usually between $1100-1800, depending on location.
• Pays a yearly entitlement of $1000 for books.

Vote was 256-166.

It is expected to pass in the senate, then get vetoed by Bush.

McCain seriously opposes it and he pretty much lost my support there.

[snoopy369]

How is this different from the current GI bill?

[Guynemer]

Re: House passes GI Bill

Originally posted by Apocalypse
[It is expected to pass in the senate, then get vetoed by Bush.

McCain seriously opposes it

Haven't heard much about this... why do they oppose?

[Apocalypse]

It's different in that the benefits have gone up about 3x as much.

They oppose it because it will hurt retention.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by snoopy369
How is this different from the current GI bill?

More benefits to G.I.s over a longer period of time

[Guynemer]

Originally posted by Apocalypse
It's different in that the benefits have gone up about 3x as much.

They oppose it because it will hurt retention.

What sort of bizarro logic is that?!

[snoopy369]

Because the GI bill is not an incentive to retention (IIRC you qualify after a relatively short period of time), and it is a disincentive to staying in (many get into the military because they have no better chances, and the GI bill gives them better chances).

Does McCain explicitly object to the GI bill itself, or simply this particular plan? I can't see him objecting to it in general...

[Apocalypse]

Originally posted by snoopy369
Because the GI bill is not an incentive to retention (IIRC you qualify after a relatively short period of time), and it is a disincentive to staying in (many get into the military because they have no better chances, and the GI bill gives them better chances).

Does McCain explicitly object to the GI bill itself, or simply this particular plan? I can't see him objecting to it in general...

In general it isn't that good. You would still have a hard time getting yourself through school with a decent degree without taking out a lot of loans. That is the other thing. People who still want to get out and go to college can, they just will be in debt.

I took one of the best routes. I got the natty guard + summer jobs to pay for 120k tuition, and hopefully I'll have another 120k from the GB bill to help pay for grad school + mortgage.

[Wezil]

I'm too lazy too look it up (sorry)...

What length of service is required for what kind of benefit?

[Apocalypse]

You just have to complete a year's payment into it ($100 a month) and then serve out whatever contractual obligation.

[snoopy369]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GI_Bill

The basic (Montgomery GI Bill) only requires a single year of paying into - anyone who leaves the service not dishonorably (possibly even them?) after at least a year of contributions qualifies. (You pay $100 a month for 12 months, then recieve ~$1000 a month for 36 months when you leave and begin your education). There are also buy-ups that allow a higher amount (with a higher contribution).

[Wezil]

I could see how poor people would find that appealing.

1 year and $1200 for $36K down the road. Not bad so long as you can fund the rest of the cost through savings. I suspect this would cause many to stay past the 1 year minimum.

[Apocalypse]

Originally posted by Wezil
I could see how poor people would find that appealing.

1 year and $1200 for $36K down the road. Not bad so long as you can fund the rest of the cost through savings. I suspect this would cause many to stay past the 1 year minimum.

By one year I meant that is all you pay into it. Real contractual obligations go between 3 and 8 years usually.

[Wezil]

Ah. I see.

Still not bad. Can you pay for the entire length of enlistment for even better benefits?

[Apocalypse]

No