"[A]fter admittedly being overwhelmed by a deluge of new veterans seeking benefits, VA officials now say they have -- for the most part -- at least paid veterans their full benefits for the fall semester," Inside Higher Ed reports. "The agency processed about $1.5 billion in payments to more than 183,000 veterans in the fall, and there are now fewer than 500 eligible veterans who've yet to receive their fall packages, VA officials say. Struggling with outmoded technology, insufficient staff and a training program that left college counselors confused about how and when to apply for benefits, the VA often took months to provide veterans with the housing and tuition funds to which they were entitled. This spring semester will provide a true test for the VA, which -- after months of public scrutiny and the occasional tongue lashing from Congress -- is under intense pressure to get it right this time. For the spring term, the VA has already received 132,000 enrollment certifications from colleges and processed more than 105,000, officials said."