As many as 60,000 veterans receiving benefits from the GI Bill might be affected when the old GI Bill expires Dec. 31, 1989.

Soldiers who will be affected are those who were on active duty for a sustained length of time, said Mike Bates, Veterans Affairs educational liaison representative.

About 40 NIU students might be affected, said Linda Dersch, assistant director of Student Financial Aid, because they are included in the Vietnam Era Veterans GI Bill expiring at the end of December.

Veterans affected by the bill’s expiration are those who served on active duty between Jan. 31, 1955 and Jan. 1, 1977. The GI bill for these veterans usually expires after 10 years, or on Dec. 31, 1989 if the 10 years have not passed.

Bates said some veterans might be able to transfer to the Montgomery GI Bill, a federally less expensive bill offered as a replacement, if they were on active duty continuously between Oct. 19, 1984 and June 30, 1988.

Veterans honorably discharged after June 30, 1985 are exempt from this rule. Veterans also are able to change GI bills because of circumstances such as convenience of the government and disability related to duty or hardship.

The veteran also must continue to be eligible for assistance after Dec. 31 in order to switch to the Montgomery GI Bill.

Veterans enrolled in other Veterans Affairs educational programs such as the Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program and the Montgomery GI Bill are not affected by the expiration.

Veterans unsure of their eligibility can call 1-800-972-5327 with any questions about the changing of the GI bill.