While we here on “The Money Show” are not especially great fans of government spending – especially the way the government has been spending money lately – there are (usually) exceptions to every rule.  One such exception which we greatly applaud is the recently enacted, and long overdue “Post-9/11 GI Bill.” As the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs states:

The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.

According to a recent Associated Press article (Boston Globe, 8/4/09, page A8):

The Post-9/11GI Bill is the most comprehensive education benefit offered to veterans since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the original GI Bill for World War II veterans in 1944.  In the next decade, $78 billion is expected to be paid out.

“We do this not just to meet our moral obligation to those who sacrificed greatly in our behalf, on behalf of the country,” said [President) O’bama, noting that many of the 1.9 million troops who have deployed in the past either years joined the military knowing they could face combat and that many have endured multiple tours [of duty].

“We do it because these men and women must now be prepared to lead our nation in the peaceful pursuit of economic leadership in the 21^st Century…”

The maximum benefit under the law…will allow every eligible veteran, serviceman and woman, Reservist and National Guard member to attend a public college or university free for four years.  They are also eligible for a monthly housing stipend and up to $1,000 a year for books.

Service members who agree to serve four more years in the military can opt to transfer the benefit to their spouse or children.

It’s anticipated that nearly a half million veterans or their family members could participate in the first year.  More than 100,000 claims have been processed, and more than 25,000 service members have applied to use the transfer benefit.

Again, this is one time we here at “The Money Show” don’t think you can argue that the government is spending money on a program that will assist those who are most deserving of it.

For more information on the Post-9/11GI Bill, go to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website at:

www.gibill.va.gov/