The GI Bill Turns 67

Over the 67 years since the signing of the original GI Bill, the program has gone through major changes. None as big as the changes created by the bill’s newest manifestation, the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Benefit payments under the new bill went to more than 290,000 Veterans in the first year.

The Veterans Administration – as it was known at that time -- was responsible for carrying out the law's key provisions for education and training, loan guaranty for homes, farms or businesses, and unemployment pay.

Before the World War II, college and homeownership were, for the most part, unreachable dreams for the average American.  Thanks to the GI Bill, millions who would have flooded the job market opted for education instead. 

In the peak year of 1947, Veterans accounted for 49 percent of college admissions.  By the time the original GI Bill ended, July 25, 1956, 7.8 million of the 16 million World War II Veterans had participated in an education or training program.

In 1984, former Mississippi congressman G. V. "Sonny" Montgomery revamped the GI Bill.  The Montgomery GI Bill assured that VA home loan guaranty and education programs continued to work for Veterans of the post-Vietnam era.

For more information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill for Veterans, visit www.military.com/education/gibill