Care2 member? Log in

Support a New GI Bill

Target: U.S. Congress
Sponsored by: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan deserve every opportunity for re-integration.

After World War II, attending college gave veterans time to readjust to civilian life, and prepared them for careers as innovators and leaders. Not only that, but for every dollar spent on the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, seven dollars went back into the economy in the form of increased productivity, consumer spending, and tax revenue.

Today's GI Bill only covers 60% of the tuition at an average public university. Also, structural and bureaucratic delays discourage veterans from using their GI Bill benefits. Many forego education altogether.

The newest generation of veterans deserves real educational benefits that make college tuition affordable. Tell Congress to take action, and pass a 21st-century GI Bill.

deadline: 3-20-2009
goal: 5,000

4,977
signatures!

Sign Petition! see who signed this

50 log in or sign up to start earning Butterfly Credits today!

learn more »

log in
This petition has been closed. see more petitions

Dear [Decision Maker],

A veteran of World War II was entitled to free tuition, books, and a living stipend that completely covered the cost of education. Attending college gave veterans time to readjust to civilian life, and prepared them for careers as innovators and leaders. For every dollar spent on the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, seven went back into the economy in the form of increased productivity, consumer spending, and tax revenue.

Many service members enlist in order to earn money for college, but today's GI Bill only covers part of the costs of college. Tuition costs have increased faster than inflation, and many veterans must take out student loans or forego education altogether. Even though 95% of veterans pay the non-refundable $1,200 to participate in the Montgomery GI Bill, 30% never use these benefits.

We signed the “Support a New GI Bill” petition!

# 4,979:

1:56 pm PDT, May 27, Steve Ruckdashel, Minnesota

# 4,978:

2:37 am PDT, May 27, Donald Johnson, California
It is immoral to not approve a bill simply because you think it will hurt the military to help the vetrans. I have been on active duty for 9 years, and apprciette everything our country does for us, but I have many friends that have gotten out and havent been able to do anything but get dead end jobs because they couldnt afford to go to school. That to me is unsat, and they should be afforded the opurtunity to go to a decent school.

# 4,977:

9:14 am PDT, May 26, Ruth Smey, Connecticut

# 4,976:

5:33 am PDT, May 26, Deirdre Fuchs, Louisiana
I am ashamed of how we treat our veterans. I am particularly angry about Secretary Gates position that supporting this bill might hurt troop retention rates - how immoral. Do what you know is right and support this bill. Annual costs are a fraction of what we are spending in Iraq.

# 4,975:

10:10 pm PDT, May 25, John Harris, California
is this the reward for sending these soldiers out to kill and maim, in the guise of democracy. they deserve a much better reward.

# 4,974:

9:44 pm PDT, May 25, Dorothy Valone, Florida

# 4,973:

12:37 pm PDT, May 24, Brandon Keene, Ohio
because we have put alot on the line and we need to be rewarded for it. we come home with mental problems that some of us cant get over so it should be easier to further our education so we can overcome any downfalls

# 4,972:

9:40 pm PDT, May 22, Carrie Harris, Alaska

# 4,971:

6:54 pm PDT, May 22, Elgia Thackston, Oregon

# 4,970:

11:46 am PDT, May 21, Adam Greenberg, Ohio

# 4,969:

11:42 am PDT, May 21, Jamie Prochniak, Minnesota

# 4,968:

10:09 am PDT, May 21, Amanda Supelak, Ohio

# 4,967:

8:36 am PDT, May 21, Robin Kephart, Ohio
We need to support our troops 100% as they risk their lives to protect our country. They are our heros.

# 4,966:

8:18 am PDT, May 21, Randy Grigson, Ohio
They fight for our freedom. My dad was a WWII veteran and the GI Bill helped him 100%. We need to support our troops 100%, they deserve our help.

# 4,965:

8:13 am PDT, May 21, Robert May, Ohio
Our troops serve our Country and risk their lives so we can enjoy freedom. They deserve the best we can offer to them when they return!

# 4,964:

8:12 am PDT, May 21, Elaine Simmons, Ohio
I am a member of the National Guard and I feel that if you have served for one day or 1,000 days you should be entitled to any and all veteran benefits. To give your life and time to your country is not something that should be measured in days, seeing that it is a priceless gift. Just the fact that you volunteered to join, serve, and protect your country should be enough. We are not drafted we join at our own free will and that should be rewarded no matter how long you decide to serve. We donate ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally and sometimes we lose our families and other things of value because of our desire to serve. The least our country could do is give us the benefits we deserve since we have given so much to our country.

# 4,963:

8:07 am PDT, May 21, Katie Paradis, Ohio

# 4,962:

4:21 am PDT, May 21, Deborah Orth, Ohio
Our troops are fighting for us and when they come home, we should do everything possible to make their lives easier.

# 4,961:

9:11 pm PDT, May 20, Tori Bush, Florida

# 4,960:

7:00 pm PDT, May 20, Anthony Botos, Michigan

# 4,959:

3:28 pm PDT, May 20, Lindsey Barrett, Ohio

# 4,958:

1:19 pm PDT, May 20, Kyle Barrett, Ohio
If I need to explain why i support the troops in any way, then you dont deserve to be in office. My brother is a Staff Sgt. in the army and has severed tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. So I feel him and anyone who takes those chances should at least get a college education paid for, no matter where they want to go!

# 4,957:

12:38 pm PDT, May 20, Sarah Foster, Ohio

# 4,956:

11:28 am PDT, May 20, Nicholas Meyer, Ohio

# 4,955:

8:23 am PDT, May 20, Sidney Johnston, Ohio
I'm a retired Army SSG it's just the right thing to do.

# 4,954:

8:01 am PDT, May 20, Sheila Morgan, Florida
I don't think they need an explanation of 'why'. These guys and girls deserve our support and whatever this great country of ours can do for them is still not enough for what they have done and scarificed.

# 4,953:

7:09 am PDT, May 20, Melanie Combs, Ohio
While the soldier is dedicating his/her life to make our lives more comfortable and safer, the world is continuing to progress; the soldier is missing out on many educational opportunities while serving our country. Please do not allow educational or any opportunities escape the grasp of our soldiers! Opportunities that can better their lives once they are back home trying to adjust and financially support their families. Thank you for supporting this bill and PASSING IT!!

# 4,952:

5:55 am PDT, May 20, Donna Fike, Tennessee
We need to suppoprt our troops in everyway possible and by creating a new GI Bill to give them additional services is one way in which we, as taxpayers, can help them.

# 4,951:

4:49 am PDT, May 20, Meredith Vidourek, Ohio
Those men and women deserve compensation for risking there lives and donating their time to serve our country the least we can do is help them get on their feet and back to as normal of a life a possible.

View Signatures:
|<
<
4,979
4,950
4,900
...
150
100
50
>
>|

Support a New GI Bill

This petition has been closed.