Sen. Richard Burr of Winston-Salem has proposed legislation to increase education benefits for military veterans. His bill is contrary to a more popular bill, sponsored by Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia. Webb's bill passed the House last week as part of the larger war supplemental package. It could be voted on today in the Senate.

CURRENT GI BILL EDUCATION BENEFITS:

* About $1,100 a month, up to 36 months, for active-duty veterans with at least three years of service.

* A few hundred dollars a month for National Guard and Reservists, based on their longest continuous service on active duty.

* Must pay $1,200 to participate in program.

* Gives veteran up to 10 years to use benefit.

* Pilot program allows troops in certain military specialties re-enlisting for four years to transfer 18 months' worth of benefits to family member after six years in military.

SENATE BILL 22

(sponsored by Sen. Jim Webb, Democrat of Virginia)

* Introduced January 2007.

* Gives benefits up to cost of most expensive in-state public college tuition for veteran's home state, plus $1,000 per year for books, and housing allowance.

* Allows Guard and Reservists to get benefits beginning at 3 months' active-duty service and participate fully with three years' cumulative active-duty service since Sept. 11, 2001.

* Gets rid of $1,200 buy-in fee.

* Matches private colleges' contribution to veteran's education.

* Costs $50 billion over 10 years.

* Allows veteran up to 15 years to use benefit.

* New amendment introduced Tuesday would re-authorize current test program for two years.

SENATE BILL 2938

(sponsored by Sens. Richard Burr, John McCain and Lindsey Graham)

* Introduced April 2008.

* $1,500 a month for active-duty veterans, linked to consumer price index. Also $500 per year for books.

* Raises Guard and Reservist benefit to $1,200 a month.

* Leaves $1,200 buy-in fee.

* Private-school formula that contributes up to $3,000 per year if private college retires 100 percent of student's debt.

* Costs $34 billion over 10 years.

* Keeps time limit on 10 years to use benefit.

* Allows veteran to transfer 18 months' worth of benefits to family member after six years in military and 100 percent of benefit to family member after 12 years.

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