"Forever GI Bill" allows flexible learning opportunities

The Forever GI Bill, approved in Washington this year, allows military members extra time to use the GI Bill to take classes with ODUOnline. The law eliminates the 15-year time limit on the education benefits for new recruits.

The Forever GI Bill was passed by the U.S. House and Senate and signed into law by President Donald Trump. It also eliminates the three years of active-duty requirement for recipients of the Purple Heart and eases requirements for GI Bill eligibility for National Guard members and reservists, survivors and dependents.

"Many of our students left the military and started another career right away," says David P. Radcliffe, associate director of military operations for military distance learning at ODU. "Sometimes they wouldn’t get around to using the GI Bill. That used to mean students could lose those benefits. This new option is much more flexible.”

The use-it-or-lose-it time limit of 15 years would remain in place for current post-9/11 veterans who served three years on active duty.

ODUOnline is proud to have many active duty service members, veterans and military spouses and dependents as students. Active duty students may take advantage of other benefits to meet their tuition needs, but the GI Bill has multiple benefits. "The Forever GI Bill is a great because you can give it to your spouse or children," says Radcliffe. "That benefit is very valuable, not just to service members but also to their families." 

Old Dominion University has a long and proud history of helping military students achieve their educational goals. ODU’s distance learning department originated to accommodate sailors at sea. Since then, ODUOnline has evolved to embrace new technology so that service members can earn their degrees regardless of when or where they’re deployed or stationed.

ODUOnline is consistently ranked highly for value and offerings, particularly in the military community, and is proud to have been selected as a Gold Award winner by Victory Media in our eighth year as a Military Friendly® School. For more information on how you or your dependents can take advantage of the GI Bill to earn your degree from Old Dominion University from anywhere in the world, visit online.odu.edu/academics/area/military-affiliated.