Reps. Cisneros and Bergman Introduce Bipartisan Student Veteran Education Access Bill

Press Release

Today, Representatives Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (D-CA-39), and Jack Bergman (R-MI-01) introduced the bipartisan Restoring Education Access for Student Veterans Act, which would build upon current law to ensure COVID-19-related closures do not negatively impact the ability of student veterans to take advantage of the education benefits they have earned. While most colleges and universities transitioned to online learning, classes requiring in-person participation--from technical vocational programs like welding to medical labs--have been unable to make that change. The cancelled classes or reduced credit hours cut Basic Allowance Housing (BAH) and lowered overall education benefits for many veterans.

"We cannot let our student veterans fall through the cracks. The current requirements under the GI Bill do not reflect the constantly changing environment this pandemic has caused. As a result, student veterans are finding it a lot more difficult to complete their education," said Rep. Cisneros. "Rep. Bergman and I are reaching across the aisle to introduce bipartisan legislation so that our student veterans can access the education and housing benefits they've earned. Our veterans have done so much for our country, and they shouldn't be shut out from their education programs and benefits because of this unprecedented crisis."

"The coronavirus pandemic has put our Veterans' GI Bill benefits at risk, as colleges and universities have been forced to either cancel or modify their classes. I'm proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Cisneros, a fellow Veteran, to ensure our Nation stands by student Veterans in the face of adversity -- just as they stood up for us in defense of our freedoms," said Rep. Bergman.

"When the state of California announced higher education institutions must close due to COVID-19, the school decided my program was too lab intensive and therefore unable to continue virtually. The shutdown of in-person schooling has impacted me financially by causing an overpayment debt of BAH and has hindered my ability to finish my program in the intended time frame. My goal was to take my major courses to allow me to obtain an Airframe and Powerplant License and save the remainder of my GI Bill to take pilot lessons. Now that I have lost 4 months of my GI Bill, my career goals may not be obtainable," said Jason Katayama, U.S. Army Veteran and student at Mount San Antonio College. "I'm grateful for the work of Congressmen Cisneros and Bergman for addressing this serious issue and helping student veterans. I want to finish my degree with the GI Bill benefits I earned and enter the workforce to continue serving my community."

"SVA has tracked this issue for months, and we are thankful for the leadership of Rep. Cisneros and Rep. Bergman for addressing it. This bill will continue protecting our nation's student veterans during this difficult time by preserving their monthly housing allowances and access to their hard-earned education benefits. We strongly support this bill and hope for its swift passage through Congress," said Lauren Augustine, Vice President of Government Affairs for Student Veterans of America.

The Restoring Education Access for Student Veterans Act would build on the protections in H.R. 6322, Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act, to ensure student veterans in programs that have partially closed due to the pandemic can continue to receive their monthly housing allowances at the pre-COVID rates. The bill also makes sure that student veterans who are unable to complete courses due to COVID-19 related cancellations do not lose their entitlements, so they can finish their program when classes resume in the future.

Source