Veterans Affairs

My husband served in the Air Force for four years and then another six years in the Colorado Air National Guard, during which time he was called to active duty for more than two years post 9/11, including a tour in a classified location during the Iraq War. My husband was turned down for federal loans because of how the FAFSA considers his GI Bill and Guard tuition assistance. How can a veteran not qualify for a federal loan for higher education, especially to be turned down specifically because of the GI Bill support he received? The GI Bill is certainly not sufficient to cover expenses and we really needed that loan. I hope that this loop hole in how the FAFSA does its decision-making can be remedied, perhaps as part of this 21st Century GI Bill.

Why is it that co-payments for VA services are set at 1/3 below poverty level for vets with non service connected disabilities? And why must they have been on active duty for a minimum of three consecutive years to be eligible for veterans benefits? They put their lives on the line and were prepared to defend this nation and were promised lifetime benefits when they enlisted. Why should they be denied benefits now or be forced to make co-payments when their income is below the national poverty level? At a minimum, they should not have to make co-payments to the VA when they are below the poverty level established by the government. To require co-payments below the poverty level is simply sentencing senior vets to choose between what method of slow suicide they are going to experience: starvation, lack of heat, or lack of medicines. Which would you sentence them to?