WASHINGTON (Army News Service) - Soldiers wanting more money for higher education should report to their local education center beginning Feb. 1, the Army has announced.

The Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvements Act of 2000, signed into law Nov. 1 (Public Law 106-419), offers soldiers and their family members new options to fund higher education.

"Changes this year will really help soldiers keep up with the higher costs of education," said Lt. Col. George Richon, chief of the Recruiting Resources Branch, Enlisted Accessions Division, under the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel.

One big change will allow soldiers who are enrolled with the Veterans Education Assistance Program to convert to the much more generous Montgomery GI Bill. VEAP is the education program designed for post-Vietnam era soldiers.

The VEAP program offered a total of $8,100 to help pay for higher education based on a $2,700 individual contribution. Critics of the VEAP funding have said it didn’t go far enough in helping soldiers meet the ongoing rising costs of education.

The law allowed soldiers who were on active duty and had money in their VEAP accounts on or before Oct. 9, 1996 to convert to the MGIB. There was previously a one-year window to convert.

Out of an eligible 21,707 soldiers in 1996, 10,223 converted to the MGIB, 550 opted not to convert, and 10,934 did not respond during the one-year window.

Now the new law is providing another window for VEAP-era soldiers to convert to MGIB and it allows them to convert even if their account was inactive in 1996.

To be eligible to convert under the new window, soldiers must have continuously served on active duty from Oct. 9, 1996 through April 1, 2000.

Those wishing to convert must make an irrevocable election to change to the MGIB; they must withdraw any balance left in their VEAP accounts; and they must make or complete a $2,700 payment during an 18-month window beginning when they opt to convert to the MGIB, Richon said.

"This is a very good deal for soldiers wanting to continue their civilian education. Soldiers do have time to make the right decision before Oct. 31, 2001," Richon said. "They need to discuss this with the counselors at their education center."

Those eligible and wishing to switch must do so by Oct. 31.

Additionally, the law states no one can receive more than 48 months of benefits between the two programs. And, that the soldier, upon discharge or release from active duty, must receive an honorable discharge.

Another significant change is that new soldiers selecting the Army’s Loan Repayment program are also eligible for Montgomery GI Bill benefits, Richon said.

The Army’s Education Incentives and Counseling Branch is responsible for issuing implementation guidance to Army Education Centers. Counselors will assist those seeking to convert from VEAP to the MGIB, he said, and also assist soldiers who have participated in the Loan Repayment program.

The new law offers soldiers the option to increase the total benefit amount by allowing them to contribute an additional maximum of $600 on top of the original $1,200. With the government’s nine-fold contribution, this would mean another $5,400 would be available for a maximum entitlement of $28,800.

Those veterans discharged between Nov. 1, 2000 and April 30, 2001 must elect to make eligibility contributions for additional benefits by July 31 of this year.

Soldiers who convert from the VEAP to the MGIB, however, are not eligible for this additional monthly amount.

On Nov. 1, the MGIB entitlements were increased 23 percent. This allows soldiers serving three or more years on active duty to receive $23,400 or $650 monthly based on a 36-month full-time school installment plan.

For those serving less than three years, the payment is $528.

Another change is that educational benefits may now be used for licensing and certification tests needed to enter, maintain, or advance into employment in a civilian status. Eligible veterans or family members will now receive payment of the fee charged for the test or $2,000 -- whichever is less.

For more information, log onto the Veterans Administration’s internet site at www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-452-4551; the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-800-827-1000; the Veterans Administration public affairs office at 1 (202) 273-6000; or, educational affairs at 1-888-442-4551.

The Education and Incentives and Counseling Branch, Army Personnel Command, can be contacted at 1-800-872-8272.