(July 6, 2009)--When the new GI Bill goes into effect on Aug. 1, the government's best-known education program for veterans will get the biggest boost since its World War II-era creation, and depending on where service members and veterans decide to attend college, they could receive a full ride, or very little.

An Associated Press review of state-by-state benefits under the new bill shows huge discrepancies in the amount veterans can receive.

Veterans who choose a private school in Texas could get close to $20,000 a semester from the government for a typical course load.

Those picking schools in California will get nothing for tuition.

The new GI Bill covers full in-state undergraduate tuition and fees at any public college, which is far more generous than the old GI Bill, which provides a monthly stipend that is the same from state to state.

But Congress also wanted to help veterans attend often-pricier private schools.

So the new bill offers them an amount equal to the tuition at the most expensive public college in the same state.