An Assessment of Recent Proposals to Improve the Montgomery G.I. Bill

Abstract : In recent years, military recruiting has become more difficult while college enrollments have risen dramatically. As more youth pursue college, the military increasingly relies on college benefits to attract recruits. College costs have grown enormously at the same time that youth interest in college has grown. These two trends have called into question whether the military's primary college benefits program, the Montgomery GI Bill, provides a large-enough benefit to enable veterans to meaningfully cover their college costs. In 1999, the Montgomery GI Bill provided a maximum monthly benefit of $528 for up to 36 months to individuals who satisfactorily complete their military service obligation, who participate in an approved educational program, and who agree to contribute $100 per month during their first year of active service.