From the AP:

WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a $162 billion war spending plan Thursday, sending to President Bush legislation that will pay for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan until the next president takes office.

The package, approved 92-6, includes a dramatic increase of GI Bill college benefits for troops and veterans.

The new GI Bill changes will allow all troops who served at least three years on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, to receive full tuition for four years at any state college, plus receive a living stipend worth more than $1,000 a month while in school.

Reservists who spent some time on active duty would also see an increase in their partial tuition reimbursement.

White House officials had opposed the plan for months, but it's all but asured President Bush will sign the plan into law sometime next week. Earlier this week both sides agreed to the bill after lawmakers added new transferability language.

Now, troops who agree to serve at least 10 years can share those tuition benefits with spouses and dependent children, a system similar to what the Pentagon had backed earlier this year.

We'll have a full rundown of how the changes will impact each group of troops in the papers on Sunday and Monday, but it's clearly a major change for any veterans thinking about college for themselves or a family member. It's also a complicated situation for troops who recently left the service or those thinking about leaving in the next year, since the new benefits won't go into effect for another year.

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