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California lawmakers seek GI Bill changes

California’s generous in-state vcollege tuition policies have state lawmakers scrambling to make a last-minute change in the Post-9/11 GI Bill to get more money for veterans in their state.

The Veterans’ Educational Equity Act, introduced Tuesday, is the result of a California policy under which the state covers all tuition costs for in-state resident students at public colleges and universities.

But under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, maximum benefits for students attending private schools are based on the most expensive tuition and fees in each state for undergraduates paying in-state tuition.

The bill asks that California be assigned an annual GI Bill cap of $6,586.51, which is the top rate for tuition and fees at four-year public colleges in the state, said Lindsey Mask, spokeswoman for the bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif.

Mask said that because of how the new GI Bill will work, public colleges and universities will be paid the $6,586.51 in tuition and fees for veterans, but private institutions will receive only a reduced fee, about $1,000.

Those using the GI Bill would still be eligible, if they meet other requirements, to receive the monthly living stipend, a book allowance and other benefits of the new program.

Enrollment has started for the new education benefits plan, which takes effect Aug. 1.

The bill had 20 original cosponsors and more people are signing on, she said.

But legislation to change the formula may not be needed if lawmakers can get the Veterans Affairs Department to make an administrative change in GI Bill procedures.

Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., House Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairman, who was not among the original sponsors, has been working with VA to get the benefit formula changed for his state.

VA officials are aware of the California issue but are making no commitments about changes. Senior VA officials have been trying to discourage lawmakers from making any changes in the new GI Bill program for fear it will complicate or delay its start date and the payment of the first benefits, which could begin as early as Aug. 3.

In a statement, McKeon said some veterans actually will suffer from California’s generous education program if the benefits formula does not change.

“California’s prohibition on tuition was meant to hold college costs down, not unfairly drive them up for our state’s veterans,” he said.

His bill would ensure California veterans “can benefit from the full amount to which they are entitled under the post-9/11 GI Bill,” he said.