Like so many of the rest of you today, we at College Financial Aid Guide are eager to show support to our nation’s service men and women, and thank them for all that they have sacrificed on our behalf.

To that end, here is the latest news on veteran’s educational benefits, and a few tips on what we can all do (regardless of our personal politics) to support our troops and their families.

Congress is currently considering a bill entitled “The Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act” which would increase educational benefits for veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill is designed to improve upon existing benefits by providing additional funds for college living expenses and tuition.

So what can we do to support veterans’ educational benefits?

1. Stay informed. You can find all the details of the bill at congress.org under HR 5740 and S.22. Also, check out this article by Dale Eisman at PilotOnline.com, as well as other news sources to see what others have to say. It is important to do this so you can weigh the pros and cons of the bill for yourself before forming a strong opinion. Like all congressional actions, this one may have some down sides, including a hefty price tag (a projected $50 billion over 10 years) and a strong potential for veto by our current president.

2. Remember this is an election year. A quick search or info on this bill in any of the more popular internet news searches will bring up a long list of articles. The vast majority of these concern how various leaders (many currently campaigning) feel about, and intend to vote on, this bill.

3. Let your voice be heard. You can email your representative through congress.org letting them know what you think. You can also post your opinion there in the soapbox section.

Most importantly, make sure you are registered to vote in this November’s elections. And when you go to the poles, don’t forget our brave men and women in uniform, and the support they’ll need when (we pray) they make it home.