The nation’s veterans groups and advocates are cheering the new “Forever” GI Bill being signed into law today.

The bipartisan legislation, signed by President Donald Trump this afternoon, does away with a 15-year deadline for veterans to use education money and allows all Purple Heart recipients to get full benefits, among other expansions.

The American Legion said the new GI Bill marks the next era for the nation’s veterans.

“This lifetime benefit will allow veterans, and their families, to earn degrees and begin rewarding careers that can lead our economy,” said Charles E. Schmidt, the Legion’s national leader.


“We believe that this legislation, named after a past national commander of the American Legion, will transform America as the original did following World War II.”

The bill is named for Harry Colmery, the main framer of the original G.I. Bill of Rights in 1944.

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The new law includes language written by U.S. Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, that focuses on veterans awarded the Purple Heart medal, which is for wounds inflicted by the enemy.


Previously, Purple Heart recipients didn’t get the full GI Bill unless they’ve served for at least three years.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that 20 percent of Purple Heart holders were affected.

“At our time of greatest need, Purple Heart heroes fought and bled for us. Their battle scars meet the service requirement,” Peters said at a press conference Tuesday at National University, a San Diego-based college system where 25 percent of the student body is veterans.

“They have unquestionably earned these benefits, and now they are going to get them.”


The new law also restores benefits if a college shuts down or loses accreditation.

The issue became important after a handful of for-profit schools, including ITT Tech and Corinthian Colleges, closed their doors in recent years after marketing heavily to veterans.

The group Student Veterans of America is credited with leading the effort to pass the new GI Bill.

“This is a moment worth celebrating with our sisters and brothers who have -- and will have -- worn our nation’s cloth,” group President Jared Lyon, said in a statement.


“Thanks to the herculean effort of the veteran community and allies in Congress, student veterans today and in the future will enjoy lifetime access to the GI Bill.”

A detailed summary of the changes included in the new GI Bill is here.