Does the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Increase College Enrollment Among Veterans With Service-Connected Disabilities?

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Perspectives on Federal Policy

Abstract

This study examines the effect of the Post-9/11 GI Bill on college enrollment for veterans with service-connected disabilities, using the American Community Survey 2005-2015 data. Employing the triple-difference technique, regression analyses suggested a markedly larger enrollment effect for veterans with service-connected disabilities than for those without such disabilities. This is likely due to the shortened length of active duty service required to qualify for full benefits for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and the eligibility for veterans to receive benefits when attending online programs. This study fills an important void in the literature by extending two critical lines of inquiry: the impact of financial aid and students with disabilities, especially veterans.

Author

• Liang Zhang, New York University