Mohave Daily News: Local

PHOENIX - A new GI Bill intended to help veterans and active duty military better afford higher education would be even more valuable if it helped cover living expenses for those taking online courses, education officials told two members of Congress on Wednesday.

At a roundtable discussion with U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., and U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz., who were among the sponsors of the legislation, veterans raised concerns about rumors that the Department of Veterans Affairs intends to outsource the administrative work needed to implement the law's provisions.

The forum was held at the American Legion's national convention here.

The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008, which President Bush signed into law June 30, doubles education benefits to an average of $80,000. It also provides a variable stipend to help with living expenses, but that doesn't apply to students taking online or correspondence courses or studying half-time or less.

Patrick Sutliff, director of student financial aid and veterans' affairs for University of Phoenix, said the online education his institution offers is valuable to disabled veterans and veterans with jobs and families. A stipend for living expenses would help them, he said.

“There is a huge impact on our shoulders,” Sutliff said.

Valerie Vigil, director of the Veterans Office and assistant director of financial aid at Mesa Community College, said the bill doesn't take into account that education is moving online.

The American Legion passed resolutions during the convention decrying rumors that the Department of Veterans Affairs intends to have an outside contractor implement the law's provisions. That prompted concerns at Wednesday's forum about accountability and security.

“The VA will not have accountability for the program if it is outsourced and run to a private contractor,” said Richard M. Romley, a former Maricopa County attorney who once served as an adviser to the secretary of veterans affairs.

Webb said he wasn't aware of plans to permanently outsource the work, though he said he was aware that it might be done temporarily to deal with an expected influx of students.

Webb and Mitchell said Congress would take the group's concerns into account.

“We know this isn't perfect in terms of dealing with all the problems in legislation, but it's pretty darn close,” said Webb, a Vietnam veteran who introduced the legislation in the Senate.

The new GI Bill is available to active duty military and veterans who served on active duty after Sept. 11, 2001. It provides benefits to National Guard members and reservists called to active duty, and its benefits are transferrable to spouses and dependent children.

Tuition benefits are capped at the highest tuition at a public institution in the beneficiary's home state.

Mitchell said the measure is one of the most satisfying pieces of legislation he has worked on.

“This bill provides a way for soldiers to come back and integrate into a normal way of life,” Mitchell said.

On the Web:

w Department of Veterans Affairs/GI Bill: www.gibill.va.gov

Key facts about new GI Bill

on veterans education

Name: Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008

Signed Into Law: June 30

Applies To: Those who served on active duty from Sept. 11, 2001, on, including National Guard members and reservists.

Service Required: Full benefits for those who have served at least 36 months, reduced to 30 continuous days for those discharged due to a disability related to military service. Those with less service receive a percentage.

What's Covered: Tuition and fees at institutions of higher education, which can include vocational schools and nontraditional programs. A stipend to help with living expenses applies to those studying more than half-time at brick-and-mortar institutions but not to those taking online courses.

Source: Department of Veterans Affairs