Is it true the GI Bill still doesn’t apply to officers or their dependants?

-- CPT Matt Saul

I was wondering that if this education benefit is going to be free to all under the conditions previously listed, what happens to the money that military members have paid in the past ($1,200) to get into the GI Bill program or the funds paid for the "top up" benefit?

-- TSgt Glenn Carter

If I already have a 4 year degree, can I use the new GI bill benefits for a graduate degree or another bachelor’s degree?

-- Meng Lee

How will the New GI Bill work for those stationed overseas or recently retired and living overseas? Can the New GI Bill be used for On-Line Universities?

-- Her Husband

Many of the wrinkles of what falls under the new "Chapter 33" guidelines and what is still covered under the old legislation still has to be ironed out by the DoD and VA. For now, planners say that distance learning courses will remain under the old rules, but with a 20 percent increase in the reimbursement rate.

According to your outline of the undergrad tuition and fees owed it lists the approximate cost of 16.00 credit hours at $4,368. Now my question is are former service members expected to take 16 credit hours per semseter or 16 credit hours per year according to the new GI Bill benefits?

-- Russell

For those of you who might have missed the print edition of the story, the graphic that accompanied it can be seen here.

Where can I get a copy of the legislation?

-- Bradley Olson

For those of you brave (or crazy) enough to wade through the supplemental looking for answers, you can find H.R. 2642 through this link.

Your article says "those who never signed up for the GI Bill when they [served], can take advantage."  Does this mean even if you declined to enroll while on active duty you can still qualify?  I thought you had to take it or decline.  There was no middle ground.

-- Lt. Col. Tom Wolcott, USAF

Just minutes ago, the president spoke at the White House after signing the war supplemental with expanded GI bill benefits into law. From his comments:

"We also owe a debt of gratitude to our nation's military families. They endure sleepless nights, and the daily struggle of caring for children while a loved one is serving far from home. We have a responsibility to provide for them, so I'm pleased that the bill we signed today includes an expansion of the GI Bill.