TREA: The Enlisted Association Blog

Washington Update for 3/22/2019

Washington Update
TREA Members Help VA celebrate 75th Anniversary of the GI Bill
For 75 years, the GI Bill has positively impacted the lives of generations of America’s
veterans and families by promoting economic well-being through higher education,
home ownership, and other benefits.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the GI Bill into law on June 22, 1944. The
historic law provided benefits to veterans returning from World War II, including:
• Low-cost home loans;
• Education and vocational training;
• Unemployment payments; and
• Expansion of veteran’ health care.
Share your GI Bill Story!!
Tell VA how the GI Bill helped you get an education, buy a house or
impacted your life. Submit a short video, no more than 90 seconds,
any time between March 15 and June 22, 2019. VA will be featuring
stories from March through June as VA celebrates this important
milestone.
Upload your video here: benefits.va.gov/gibill75
Since 1944, millions of veterans and family members have benefited from the
programs created by the GI Bill.
Education
Nearly half of World War II veterans took advantage of VA education programs.
Since 1944, VA has paid about $400 billion in education benefits to 25 million
beneficiaries.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
VA provides employment and job-placement assistance to service-disabled
veterans and service members, including career counseling, training, and
services leading toward enhanced independence. In Fiscal 2018, there were
nearly 126,000 VR&E participants.
Home Loans
Nearly 24 million home loans have been guaranteed by VA since 1944. In Fiscal
2018, VA guaranteed more than 610,000 loans totaling more than $161 billion.