The House and Senate both recently voted to offer what amounts to a free college education to the new generation of military veterans--a revitalized GI Bill.

The new benefits would offer full tuition up to the cost of the most expensive in-state public university -- plus stipends for books and housing -- for post-September 11 veterans who have served three years of active duty. Service members who serve less than three years would receive between 40 and 90 percent of the benefit. Additionally, service members would be allowed to transfer educational benefits to their spouses or dependents. As of press time, the bill had not yet been signed by President Bush.

"This is the first wartime GI Bill benefit since Vietnam, "Virginia Senator Jim Webb said after the Senate passed the bill.

Patrick Campbell, legislative director for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which claims 100,000 members added, "Today is a moment of celebration. Everything has changed. The Iraq and Afghanistan veterans we have here are now given hope. Their dreams are going to be bigger. Their opportunities are going to be bigger."

Implementation of the plan would not be available until next year, because VA must overhaul its computer programs to calculate and distribute the aid due each veteran. Senator Webb, who conceived the instigative, noted that the legislation was not intended to apply to future military personnel who serve in peacetime. "When this war is over, one would assume this benefit is going to end," he said. But nothing in the legislation links these benefits to wartime service. The bill creates a permanent new benefit for all military veterans, whether they serve in peacetime or times of war.