Thousands of men and women on active duty in the military voluntarily give the U.S. Department of Defense permission to deduct $100 from their monthly income. After a minimum deposit of $1,200, veterans can use the money for educational benefits.

The program, known as the Montgomery GI Bill, is a written agreement, which allows the military to deduct from their paycheck for the next year.

The GI Bill has a potential return of up to $28,800, a high return from the Department of Defense, which can be enough to pay for a college degree.

"It is mainly geared towards enlisted service members," said Lt. Theodore Timmerman, the Veterans Outreach coordinator for Penn State. He himself benefited from the GI Bill while receiving a graduate degree. Having been an undergraduate at Penn State while in the Naval ROTC program, he was eligible as an officer to receive benefits.

"Of course, when I came it was non-contributory," laughed Timmerman, a recipient during the Vietnam era of the bill at a time when veterans did not have to pay. Originally signed in 1944 under Roosevelt, the GI Bill has made possible the investment of billions of dollars in education and training for millions of veterans during the past five decades. The bill has undergone many revisions in that time, including the contributory requirement.

The Office of Veterans Affairs approximates that today about 450 Penn State students benefit from the bill. Timmerman estimates the combined branch campuses have even more students benefiting from the bill.

David McCallister (sophomore-film and video) served four years of active duty at an Air Force base in Michigan and qualified for veteran's benefits while in the service.

"It's pretty easy," McCallister said. "Every month I call and verify my status and it takes about 10 days for the deposit to go through."

The GI Bill can pay $255 per month for up to 36 months and possible enlistment bonuses, which can range from $3,000 to $5,000 if a student's intended career requires schooling beyond the 36-month grace period. The student is generally expected to complete the degree in 36 months.

Timmerman said that the amount a veteran receives is dependent on various factors, and the amount received varies for each veteran.

"There are a number of different programs depending how long they were in the service and what they did," Timmerman said.

"Then there are kickers," he added, which are bonuses in addition to the 36-month study period. Those in the service also have the option of contributing more than $100 per month, which adds to their final benefits.

Lonnie Christian (senior-international politics) is in the Marine Corps and said his goal is to "complete the degree as fast as possible."

After school he will receive a four-year officer commission, something he doesn't mind. "Now I am basically a paid college student," he said.