U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said he is working with lawmakers to fix problems with the post 9/11 G.I. bill. (B. Corbin/WJBC)

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says veterans attending public colleges shouldn't be burdened with out-of-state tuition and fees.

The Democratic senator is working with lawmakers to fix an unintended consequence of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.

The bill provides up to $18,077 for veterans attending private colleges. It limits the benefit for veterans at public colleges to the amount charged for in-state tuition and fees.

In a press release, Durbin's office says many veterans are having trouble establishing residency and qualifying for in-state tuition. More than 20,000 veterans have had to pay the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition out of their pockets. Durbin says those costs can be dramatic.

He says there's an "easy fix.'' His proposed legislation would provide up to $18,077 to help cover out-of-state tuition at public universities.