Forever GI Bill


The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, commonly known as the “Forever GI Bill”, eliminated the 15-year use-it-or-lose-it constraint associated with the Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefit. The updated bill was created with the intent of improving previous versions of the bill and the Reserve Educational Assistance Program which is now defunct. The bill, called the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2017, flew through both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the span of three weeks, passing both by unanimous votes. After the Senate’s vote, the bill was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump.
The official name of the bill is for Harry W. Colmery who is credited with being the author of the original GI Bill.

Overview

The Forever GI Bill includes 34 provisions, however there are 15 that have the greatest impact on the greatest number of servicemen, veterans, their dependents, and their beneficiaries. Some of the changes were positive, however some changes reduced coverage and/or eligibility. The  most impactful 15 include:
  1. Elimination of the 15-year limitation on the use of the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
  2. Restoration of lost GI Bill entitlement due to school closures.
  3. Expansion of benefits to Purple Heart recipients.
  4. Added Yellow Ribbon Program coverage to Fry Scholarship and Purple Heart recipients.
  5. Expanded Yellow Ribbon Program coverage for Active Duty members.
  6. Changed the entitlement use for licensing and certification tests.
  7. Reduced the amount authorized for Basic Allowance for Housing.
  8. Changed how the Basic Allowance for Housing is calculated.
  9. Changed Post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility tiering for National Guard and Reservists.
  10. Increased GI Bill eligibility for National Guard and Reservists.
  11. Changed the transfer of Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
  12. Reduced the number of months of coverage under the Survivors’ and Dependents Educational Assistance Program
  13. Increased DEA payment structure.
  14. Creation of a STEM scholarship program.
  15. Creation of a High Technology pilot program
There are several lesser known changes that include:

Additional Resources