WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement after cosponsoring H.R. 5944, the Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention, and Readjustment Through Education Act of 2008.

H.R. 5944, introduced by GOP Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (FL-12), makes needed improvements to the educational benefits provided to our military veterans. This legislation builds upon the already existing Montgomery GI Bill benefit program to ensure the update is quick and does not impair the program’s effectiveness.

“Since the men and women of the Greatest Generation, millions of American veterans have been able to afford a college education thanks to the Montgomery GI Bill. Each time our nation asks our bravest and brightest to sacrifice in defense of our freedoms, we have an obligation to ensure that these educational benefits meet the modern-day needs of our military and their families. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation.”

The Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention and Readjustment through Education Act provides:

• An immediate increase in education benefits for active duty personnel to $1,500 a month, and to improve retention, those benefits increase to $2,000 a month after 12 or more years of service.

• A significantly increased benefit for members of the National Guard and Reserves.

• The opportunity for service members to transfer their education benefits to dependents. After six years, half of the benefit may be transferred, and after 12 years, 100% may be transferred to a spouse or dependent children.

• Student loan repayments. Allows servicemembers to use up to $6,000 per year of their Montgomery GI Bill education benefits to repay Federal student loans.

• A matching program to help more veterans graduate debt-free. Up to an additional $3,000 per year could be paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs in return for the school retiring some or all of the servicemember’s debt.

• Access to Montgomery GI Bill benefits for service academy graduates and Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps officers who continue serving.

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