The Lowdown on the Post-9/11 GI Bill

We all remember the old GI Bill, the post-World War II grant that sent legions of our grandfathers to college. Now there's a new, freshly funded version, a Post-9/11 GI Bill that goes into effect on Aug. 1 and will make it possible for returning veterans, who have served in the U.S. military since Sept. 11, 2001, to attend college nearly free of charge. It covers tuition at even the most expensive public university, offers a housing stipend, and even covers books - a $1,000 expense right there. There's even a clause for transferring benefits to a spouse or child. Very, very cool. To find out who's covered and how, check out this quick guide to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. I'll be updating it as the launch date nears, but the most important thing is, the thing goes live Aug. 1, but the Department of Veterans Affairs is accepting applications now.