SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State University senior Nathaniel Donnelly was sure he wanted to serve his country from the minute he signed on.

But after eight years in the military, the reality of civilian life kicked in.

"I just thought finding a job would be easy, so I pretty much fell flat on my face for the first year," said Donnelly.

It is a struggle many veterans share.

"Just feeling like, you know, what am I doing in life, you know. It's that same thing everybody goes through when they don't have that next step to take in their life. I think most veterans experience that coming out of the military," said Donnelly.

Veterans now have more options, including going to college, as the Post 9/11 GI Bill will help vets who served in Iraq and Afghanistan pay for tuition, books and room and board starting Aug. 1.

At SDSU, the Veterans Center expects hundreds of students to apply for the new bill, especially in the next few years.

Military members who were on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, are eligible. The amount of money received coincides with how much time the veteran was on active duty.

Donnelly, who is graduating in a couple of days, can still benefit.

"If you're like myself and you used up your Montgomery GI Bill benefits, then you get an extra 12 months of the new benefit," said Donnelly.

Donnelly hopes it will pave the way for a bright future in graduate school.

Since May 1, more than 25,000 veterans have signed up for the new GI Bill.

The bill will cost taxpayers $62 billion over the next 10 years.

Find out more about the new Post 9/11 GI Bill at www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#CH33