The New G.I. Bill has great benefits. It's so good colleges have seen a huge increase in veteran enrollment.
Northern Kentucky University enrollment held steady this year at around 15,000. But the school recorded a 36.5 percent increase in military veteran students.
Dave Merriss, a representative of the NKU Student Veteran's Organization, believes the enrollment is higher because of the post 9/11 G.I. Bill. "It is the best G.I. Bill program that has been given to veterans since World War II."
Students on campus receive tuition, $1,000 annually for books and a monthly housing allowance of over $1,200. According to Glen Este graduate and U.S. Army veteran Jason Tipton, it makes going to school easy.
"I can work 20 hours or less and actually continue going to school full time," he explained. "And [I do] not have to try and juggle two extra jobs."
Tipton joined the military after high school because he did not want to go to college, but his view changed after leaving the service.
"It is extremely hard, especially with the way the economy is right now to get a job," Tipton explained. "The best way to do that is get an education."
Even though Tipton is fairing well with college through the new G.I. Bill, some student veterans are having a tougher time getting along. Veteran's affairs is behind distributing benefits because of the number of requests, plus some students did not apply by the deadline.
"It really depends on when you applied. If you applied early and on time then more than likely your tuition benefit has already reached the university," Merriss explained. "But the other benefit which is your housing allowance and book stipend, the VA is behind."
The VA is offering benefactors a one time emergency advance up to $3,000 to help student veterans make ends meet until their checks start being distributed. But it is not free money. The money advanced will be deducted from payment checks over a period of time.
Tipton is proud he was an Army combat medic, and is grateful for the G.I. Bill. "I was happy to reintegrate back into civilian life, and take those opportunities instead of staying in the military."
