Currently, any veteran's and current active duty service members that meet the minimum requirements for Montgomery GI Bill education benefits must only use these benefits in a regimented education program. With the current state of economic decline and hardship, these earned beneftis can greatly benefits some service memebers (pre and post) in need of immediate financial need. By allowing veteran's the option of obtaining a 50 percent cash, one time lump sum award, valued at the full time rate of exsisting veteran's education benefits, these hero's can exchange a benefit they might well never get use of into something they can use to help themselves and families long term. This is not a new expense, it is already an earned benefit and it will save a failing system a future burden.



