Sixty-six years ago, on June 22, 1944 President Franklin D. Roosevelt singed into law the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (a.k.a. G.I. Bill of Rights).

The impact of this single piece of legislation has been monumental over the years.

• Before WWII fewer than 15 percent of high school graduates earned college degrees. By 1950 nearly 500,000 Americans had graduated from college compared to 160,000 in 1939 as a result of the educational benefits provided under this legislation.
• Under this program, approximately 2.4 million ex-service personnel took out home loans provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which were low-interest and zero-down- payment loans.
• Under the 52-20 clause, all former service personnel were entitled to receive $20 a week for 52 weeks a year, while they looked for work.