The Wall Street Journal-20080206-A New GI Bill for Returning Vets-
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A New GI Bill for Returning Vets?
Full Text (455 words)I appreciate and heartily approve of Jerome Kohlberg's op-ed on Gov. Eliot Spitzer's initiative concerning full-tuition scholarships for returning veterans ("We Need a New GI Bill," Jan. 25).
A productive new world was opened to my husband, a World War II veteran, when he took advantage of the GI Bill.
As Mr. Kohlberg succinctly said: "This unprecedented educational opportunity transformed American society . . ."
Carol Redding
New York
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As Mr. Kohlberg rightly notes, the cost of a public or private college education today is enormous. One might rightly ask how we got here? Since the mid-1960s when the federal government began significantly subsidizing student loans and providing other grants, tuition growth has increased well in excess of the rate of inflation.
Perhaps this is a coincidence and perhaps there are other factors that have contributed to this outcome, but perhaps, basic economics has also played a role. Subsidize tuition and -- almost on cue -- you get more tuition. I happen to believe that the cause and effect in this relationship are closely and dangerously linked.
Timothy J. Haddock
New York
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I find Mr. Kohlberg's commentary about a new GI Bill to be filled with the usual bleak rhetoric which so often describes similar issues. I would like to use my own, relatively current experience with the GI Bill to paint a sunnier landscape.
I graduated in 1998 with a B.A. in business administration, having used the GI Bill throughout my college tenure. Rather than calling the initial, non-refundable buy-in cost of $1,200 just to be eligible for the program a "combat tax," I would tell anyone who would listen that it was the best investment I'd ever made. Additionally, I started my college experience at a local community college, paying $235 a semester. The $400 or so I received each month from the GI Bill was more than enough to cover tuition, with plenty left over for books, food, etc. When I transferred to a four-year university, my good grades earned me at least a couple of tuition waivers, which meant the $400 a month went directly into my pocket.
I agree, the College Board data reported by Mr. Kohlberg of $65,000 for an in-state student and $133,000 for a private university is outrageous, but it is easily circumvented as my community college experience shows. I'm not a Harvard grad, but should getting into Harvard be a mandatory requirement of this new GI Bill?
Ten years after my college graduation, I'm a certified public accountant in two states, have three college degrees and make a six- figure salary. I didn't need Harvard, a $65,000 or a $133,000 education to garner this success. Neither do today's current veterans.
Todd Anderson
Broomfield, Colo.
