Keith M. Wilson, director of education service for the Veterans Benefits Administration, gave refreshingly direct and detailed answers during a recent interview.

Wilson said the VA also has a pamphlet on the new GI Bill posted at its Web site, www.gibill.va.gov, and a toll free number, 1-888-GIBILL1. Here are highlights of his comments:

Post-9/11 benefits: The first thing active members, reservists and veterans should know is that to qualify for the new GI Bill, they must have served at least 90 consecutive days on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001.

Active service of 90 days to six months since 9/11 allows 40 percent of the new benefit. Longer service delivers a larger percentage. And those with at least 36 months’ active duty since 9/11, or those who have been separated since then for disability after serving at least 30 consecutive days, earn full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

One benefit, three payments: Under Webb-Hagel, the VA will pay a qualified student’s tuition and fees directly to any college or university, up to a maximum amount that is equal to the cost of attending their state’s most expensive public college or university.

This is different than the Montgomery GI Bill payments, which go directly to students and stay level across the country. A full-time Montgomery bill student draws the same $1,101 a month whether attending a junior college or a high-priced private school where the benefit covers only a fraction of actual costs.

The new plan also will pay a monthly living allowance directly to students, equal to the local rate of military Basic Allowance for Housing for a married E-5. Students will get this whether living in a dorm or off campus.

The third payment under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is $1,000 a year for books and supplies. Wilson estimates that total Post-9/11 benefits in their first year will have an average value of about $2,100 a month.

Effective date, retroactivity: Sens. Jim Webb, D-Va., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., in designing their Post-9/11 package, agreed to give VA until Aug. 1, 2009, to implement the benefit. Their goal to make the more generous benefits retroactive to the day the bill was signed by the president, which was June 30, didn’t survive rewrites. Wilson said Post-9/11 benefits will take effect in Aug. 1, 2009.

Transferability: This feature will allow longer-serving members to transfer unused education benefits to spouses or children. It was added as a retention tool. It will only be offered to members on active duty or in drill status on or after Aug. 1, 2009.

The new law says transferability can be offered to members with at least six years of service who agree to serve at least four more years.

Montgomery Bill improved: Though the Post-9/11 GI Bill is a year away, Montgomery Bill benefits are being raised 20 percent on Aug. 1, 2008. So a full-time student will see the monthly benefit jump to $1321.

Post-9/11 benefits will be the richer benefit for most college students. But Montgomery Bill benefits could be the better deal for college students in areas where rents are low and tuition costs are modest or waived for veterans.

Asked to describe the new GI Bill, Wilson said, “My first response would be that it was a long time comin’. This is something veterans have clearly earned and it’s really a great honor to be part of implementing a program that is going to be making such a significant difference in veterans’ lives.”

Tom Philpott: www.militaryupdate.com; Military Update, PO Box 231111, Centreville, VA 20120-1111