Vets having trouble getting GI Bill funds for school

Veterans are having problems getting the federal government to pay their education expenses under the newest version of the GI Bill.

Veterans are having problems getting the federal government to pay their education expenses under the newest version of the GI Bill.

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[audio: 091223tmgimoney.mp3]

The GI Bill is designed to pay for the education of military veterans who have served overseas since the September 11th terrorist attacks. Ed Lowry is head of the Veterans Multi-Service Center in Philadelphia. He says many veterans aren’t receiving their money.

Lowery: There was quite an influx of veterans that had been out of the military for six or seven years that, once the bill was passed, became eligible because they were in after 9-11. There was an influx of veterans and the system just isn’t set up for the influx of veterans that are coming into the system.

Lowry says he’s hopeful the issues will be resolved soon, even if it takes bringing in extra employees to the Veterans Administration on a temporary basis. He says delays or denial of benefits can sometimes discourage a veteran from pushing ahead with what could be a life changing decision to further their education.