Since 1944, the G.I. Bill has been an indelible benefit of military service and beyond. For many, the G.I. Bill provided a path to the American dream by helping them pursue education, secure employment after military service and purchase a home.
Today’s G.I. Bill focuses on providing education and training benefits. Throughout its history, the benefits have been an integral part of military recruitment, providing benefits to service members, Veterans and their eligible family members to pursue higher education and vocational training. These opportunities lead to meaningful employment, promising careers, and—for many families—upward mobility.
For Joseph Garcia, executive director of the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Education Service, the G.I. Bill has impacted him professionally and personally.
“The G.I. Bill is more than a benefit. It’s an opportunity to pursue dreams and build legacies,” said Garcia, a 28-year Air Force Veteran. “The benefits empower Veterans to succeed and thrive beyond their military service.” Garcia experienced this success and saw how it helped so many of his fellow airmen. “The G.I. Bill changed the lives of my family members who also served and used the benefit to advance their careers. During my time working in higher education, I continued to witness and be in awe of how access to education can truly change lives.”
The benefits have had a substantive impact, too: Over its lifetime, $410 billion in benefits have been provided to Veterans and eligible family members. This includes $143 billion to over 2.7 million beneficiaries since 2009, when the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill was created, renewing the commitment to educational success to Veterans returning home from military service. For 80 years, the G.I. Bill has been an opportunity to dream and achieve for so many Veterans. In looking ahead, VA continues to work to ensure G.I. Bill benefits meet the needs of Veterans, service members and their families—today and beyond.
