How the GI Bill Changed After 9/11

How the GI Bill Changed After 9/11

In 2008 the new post 9/11 GI Bill was signed into law. The new bill went into effect on August 1, 2009 and offers new educational benefits for military veterans. The benefits are provided to servicemen who served on active duty for 90 days or more after September 10, 2001.

The post-9/11 benefits are tiered based on the amount of time spent in active duty after 9/11. The new educational benefits include up to 100% tuition and fee coverage. If eligible, the VA will pay tuition and fees directly to the student's school. The tuition and fee payments are capped at the highest tuition and fee rates at a state operated college or university.

Post 9/11 GI Bill Housing Stipend

Eligible veterans also have the ability to receive a housing stipend as they pursue their post-Military education. The stipend is based on the school’s zip code. Payments average around $1,200 a month, but can go as high as $2,700 a month. Students are not required to live on campus to receive benefits.

The new benefits include a book stipend of up to $1,000 for veteran members or members of the Guard and Selected Reserve. The payment is made at the beginning of the term and the amount paid depends on the number of credit hours taken. Active members are not eligible for this stipend.

One-time Relocation Allowance

There is also a one-time relocation allowance included in the new bill. Eligible veterans receive a $500 payment to help them move from a rural area to attend school. There are specific requirements that must be met in order to qualify for this benefit. Candidates must reside in a county with 6 persons or less per square mile. Students must either physically relocate 500 miles to attend school, or travel by air to physically attend school if no transportation by land is available.

Individuals who have served 6 years after August 1, 2009 and have signed up for 4 more years of active duty have the ability to transfer benefits to their spouse. Eligible members can transfer benefits to their dependents after they have reached their 10 year anniversary.

Veterans who are eligible can receive up to $2,000 for a certification or licensing exam, work-study programs, and $100 a month for tutorial assistance.

The post-9/11 GI Bill and other veterans scholarships offers eligible veterans more flexibility and enables them to reach their educational goals. Many individuals have taken advantage of the new benefits and more are likely to in the future.

Benefits of a Welding Career

Welding is one of the most in demand trades in any industry. Shortages of well trained welders are a constant problem in America, whose infrastructure is constantly in need of updating and repair. Additionally, many welders are close to retirement or are continuing to work past normal retirement age because the demand is so great.

There are many different facets to welding, and job descriptions vary drastically depending on which type of welding you specialized in. MIG welding jobs would be best suited to welding careers that were centered on work in a factory or other enclosed space that is protected from the elements.

Other types of Welding careers can lead you out into the wilds of Alaska or the offshore oil rigs far out into the ocean. These types of jobs that typically feature harsher conditions and time away from home also pay much higher. The pay on an off shore oil rig could be up to twice what a job land-side would pay.

The one uniting aspect to all of these types of welding jobs is that you either need to have years of experience to land them or have a great welding education from an accredited school to allow you to get your foot in the door. In this blog you'll find out all kind of information about welding careers and how to get the proper welding training to qualify you for those careers.