Delays in benefit payments have caused hardship for student veterans around the country. Under the August 1st Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, veterans qualify for partial coverage of educational and living costs if they have served at least 3 months since 9/11, and full coverage if they have served for 3 years or more.
 
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has approved a total 200,000 veterans under the Act, but has only distributed funding to 27,500. This delay, which the department blames on a high number of applications, has put financial pressure on scores of students around the country.
 
For example, Mike Ergo, a senior at UC Berkeley, was billed for a $48,000 surgical procedure after getting dropped from the University health insurance plan for delayed tuition payments. 

The Philadelphia Inquirer also reported on the situation at Rutgers University. "The GI Bill is a mess," said Rutgers freshman Robeen Billings, 24, a former naval electronics technician. "I'm struggling because my first semester is not paid. I'm commuting from Newark to Camden, living off my credit card.”

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki said that some veterans will receive emergency checks of up to $3,000 to veterans with delayed payments.

It is unclear when student veterans can expect the VA to fully finish processing their applications.

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