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By Suzanne Blake
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The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a major change that could significantly expand education benefits for millions of veterans, making it easier for them to maximize their G.I. Bill eligibility following two recent court rulings.
In a press release issued Thursday, the VA said the updates stem from federal court decisions that clarified how veterans can use benefits under both the Montgomery G.I. Bill and the Post‑9/11 G.I. Bill. This could allow eligible veterans to receive up to 48 months of education assistance instead of the previous 36‑month limit.
Why It Matters
Education benefits are a key support for veterans transitioning to civilian life, often helping cover tuition, housing, and training costs.
Read More on Education
The department estimates that millions of veterans may qualify for additional benefits under the new court rulings.
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What To Know
The change follows rulings in Rudisill v. McDonough and Perkins v. Collins, which expanded how education benefits can be combined across different periods of military service, the VA said. Under the updated approach, some veterans may now qualify for an additional 12 months of benefits.
The VA said the rulings could affect millions of veterans nationwide, particularly those who qualify under both G.I. Bill programs or meet specific service requirements outlined in the court decisions.
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To help veterans access the expanded benefits, the VA will now automatically assess eligibility under the Rudisill decision, eliminating the need for veterans to request a formal review.
The department will also be prioritizing reviews for veterans with fewer than three months of remaining benefits who are currently enrolled in school or were enrolled within the past six months. Additionally, the VA is updating its automated systems to apply the Perkins ruling and will review veterans’ records for additional eligibility once those updates are complete.
The department also said it is automatically approving the initial 36 months of benefits for eligible veterans while reviewing whether they qualify for additional months under the court rulings. Veterans will be notified if further action is required.
What People Are Saying
VA Secretary Doug Collins said in the announcement: “These court decisions will influence the educational choices of millions of people, and VA is working to ensure Veterans know what they qualify for and how to claim their benefits.”
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “One of the most valuable benefits available to veterans are the education benefits provided under the G.I. bill, which can cover all or most of qualifying education programs. However, as great as this benefit is, being able to access and utilize the benefit hasn't always been the easiest procedure. The changes being introduced to the VA should assist greatly by setting up an automated system to prioritize veterans who have less than three months of benefits left and have enrolled in school and by making it where a formal assessment doesn't have to be requested.”
What Happens Next
The VA said it will continue reviewing veterans’ records and notifying those who qualify for additional education benefits. Veterans with questions about their eligibility or benefits can submit inquiries and documents through the VA’s website.
“By automatically handling issues like eligibility and reminders on deadline, the VA can better serve veterans and make sure their requests are handled in a much quicker fashion,” Beene said.
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