Foundation to help veterans waiting on GI Bill

A highly decorated veteran is helping his fellow military men and women continue their educations.

Sir Jeshua Jackson served with the U.S. Navy and has founded the Colorado Student Veteran’s Association Foundation (CSVAF).

According to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, there are more than 20,000 post-9/11 GI Bill claims pending. The GI Bill pays for veterans’ educations and housing expenses.

The backlog prevents veterans from going to school and leaves some without a homes, said Jackson.

“It’s the VA. Anytime they owe you money, they’re going to take their time with it,” said Air Force veteran Steven Thompson.

Thompson said it took him a while to get education funding from the GI Bill and he has several friends who are still waiting.

The mission of CSVAF is to provide immediate financial ‘hardship and debt relief’ solely for Colorado’s student veterans, as well as single family student veterans who otherwise depend solely on VA education benefits for their families’ livelihood.

Jackson has been able to help a few veterans, but his resources are limited.

“At this time, we are looking for donations. We are looking for the heart of America to give,” said Jackson.

A donation fund has been set up at Navy Federal Credit Union, account no. 7025211769.

For more information visit: http://csvaf.org/index.html or www.facebook.com/csvaf