Bozho (Hello),

According to a recent news release from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Effective August 1, 2018, the VA implemented 15 more provisions of the Harry W. Colmery Educational Assistance Act of 2017, also referred to as the Forever GI Bill.

“These provisions will have an immediate and positive impact on veterans and their families using VA benefits to pursue their education. From the day the Forever GI Bill was signed into law, the VA — in collaboration with Veterans Service Organizations, state approving agencies and school certifying officials — has taken steps to ensure earned benefits are provided to veterans in a timely, high-quality and efficient manner.

“Some of these provisions are:

1. Recipients of a Purple Heart award on or after Sept. 11, 2001, are now eligible for full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for up to 36 months, if not already entitled.

2. Military and veteran families who have lost a family member can now reallocate transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

3. Additional Guard and Reserve service now counts toward Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility.

4. Post-9/11 GI Bill students may now receive monthly housing allowance for any days they are not on active duty, rather than having to wait until the next month.

5. Expansion of the Yellow Ribbon Program (benefits.va.gov/gibill/yellow_ribbon.asp), which makes additional funds available for GI Bill students, now covers more students.

“More provisions are scheduled related to science, technology, engineering and math benefit extensions; increased benefit levels; a pilot program for high-technology training geared toward ‘upskilling’ veterans to enter the workforce quickly; and another expansion of the Yellow Ribbon Program, which will be implemented by Aug. 1, 2022.

“For more information, visit the Forever GI Bill Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act page at cpn.news/VA-GIBILL.

“Visit the Education and Training webpage at cpn.news/EdTrainingVA for more information. For questions about GI Bill benefits, call the Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.”

Remember, the CPN Veterans Organization meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. (or as soon as you can get there) in the North Reunion Hall on the Potawatomi powwow grounds. All CPN and spouse veterans and their families are welcome. A meal is provided.

Migwetch (Thank you),
Daryl Talbot, Commander
talbotok@sbcglobal.net
405-275-1054