WASHINGTON, DC - Student Veterans of America strongly supports the Department of Veterans Affairs decision Friday to provide advanced payments for up to $3,000 to veterans who are currently waiting for the first housing allowance payment under the Post-9/11 GI Bill starting October 2, 2009. In response, Student Veterans of America released the following statement:
"We are thrilled to see the VA act quickly in response to recent pressure from the student veteran community to remedy problems with the implementation of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. While this measure does not address the issue of backlogs or the lack of transparency in processing, it certainly shows that Secretary Shinseki is being responsive and proactive. Student Veterans of America is proud to be working with the Secretary and the Department of Veterans Affairs to reach the veterans on campuses who need these benefits.
"Our members and other student veterans should understand that this money is advanced funding and will be deducted from future payments. This is not an additional payment over the benefits that they will be entitled throughout the school year."
Student Veterans of America has received numerous reports of veterans falling behind in class for being unable to afford books and, worse, an Arizona veteran approaching a food bank for support. Student Veterans of America has been working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the White House, and Members of Congress to ensure these problems are remedied quickly.
On Wednesday, Executive Director Derek Blumke sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans of Affairs Eric K. Shinseki requesting immediate action to inform waiting student veterans of when their living and books stipend and tuition payments will be paid.
Student Veterans of America played an important role in passing the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which was signed into law by President Bush in June 2008. The bill provides veterans who have served after September 11, 2001, with full in-state tuition and a stipend for books and living expenses.
The VA has been accepting applications for this benefit since May 1, 2009, and has been accepting school enrollment certifications since July 6, 2009. In that time, 277,403 claims have been filed, and VA has completed action on 205,074 of those claims. But as of September 16, 2009, the VA has distributed only 33,000 payments for living and books stipends and just 20,000 tuition payments.
