North Charlotte Today

Senator Thom Tillis and his colleagues have introduced legislation aimed at rectifying a financial loophole that is hindering thousands of active-duty servicemembers from receiving the education repayments they are owed. The issue stems from the transition between the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) and the Forever GI Bill, with at least 25,000 servicemembers affected by this oversight.

“Our brave servicemembers deserve the full financial benefits they are rightfully owed,” said Senator Tillis. “This commonsense legislation fixes a financial loophole and cuts down on the unnecessary bureaucracy that prevents many active-duty servicemembers from receiving the full benefits they earn through serving our country.”

The MGIB required servicemembers to contribute $100 monthly for their first 12 months of active duty to receive educational financial assistance. However, the transition to the more generous Forever GI Bill has left some servicemembers without the $1,200 refund they are entitled to if they do not receive a housing allowance. The process of reclaiming these funds has proven challenging, leading to many veterans missing out on the money they are owed.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend Title 38 of the United States Code to ensure that the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays servicemembers for their contributions towards Post-9/11 educational assistance. By addressing this issue, the bill aims to guarantee that veterans are rightfully compensated for their dedication and service to the country.