Committee weighs multiple bills to expand and equalize veterans’ education benefits

Members of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee reviewed several proposals that would alter veterans' education benefits, including changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill book stipend, the Gold Star Family Education Parity Act, earlier access to STEM scholarships, an apprenticeship approval reform for interstate trucking programs, and proposals to change monthly housing allowance for online students.

Representative Gabe Vasquez introduced the bipartisan Veterans Education Assistance Adjustment Act to raise the annual book stipend from $1,000 to $1,400, citing inflation since the Post-9/11 GI Bill was enacted in February 2008. Andrew Petrie of the American Legion and Blaise Smith of the University of Arizona both endorsed increasing the book stipend, saying the rise would better cover supplies for students and families.

Representative Chris Pappas highlighted the Veterans Transition to Trucking Act (H.R. 2954), which would let interstate commercial carriers obtain a single VA approval for multistate apprenticeship programs rather than state-by-state approvals. He said that would “cut unnecessary red tape” and simplify apprenticeships for veterans seeking commercial driving jobs.

Representative Tim Kennedy and Ashlyn Haycock Lohman of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) pressed for the Gold Star Family Education Parity Act (H.R. 2720), which would align survivors’ benefits with the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) rather than the older Chapter 35 Survivors’ Indemnity/Educational Assistance structure. TAPS urged sunsetting Chapter 35 and moving eligible recipients to the Fry Scholarship, citing processing efficiencies and long-outdated Chapter 35 payment levels.

The Department of Veterans Affairs signaled support for some proposals but raised technical and implementation concerns. Nick Pamperin told the subcommittee VA “supports HR 35 79, the Veterans Readiness and Employment Integrity Act,” and VA supports increases to the book stipend. VA also “supports but cite[s] significant concerns with HR 33 87” (the ETS Act) and “does not support HR 33 84, the Refinancing Relief for Veterans Act” (home-loan fee change) and “does not support HR 27 20, the Gold Star Family Education Parry Act” in its current form because of differences in eligibility rules and payment structures between Chapter 33 and Chapter 35 that the bill does not resolve.

On online education, the committee heard competing views. The Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act would raise the monthly housing allowance for veterans enrolled exclusively online to the national average. Supporters — including university witnesses who said online programs can be high quality and essential for students juggling family and work — argued that the current policy, which pays online students a lower rate, penalizes veterans who must study remotely. Ashlyn Haycock Lohman and others cautioned that raising online MHA to the national average could unintentionally shift federal dollars to for-profit institutions and penalize students in low-cost-of-living states; she said 73% of schools in some states have MHA below the national average and warned against creating incentives for predatory recruitment.

Several members asked VA for data about the share of GI Bill funding used for online programs and how VA calculates housing payments; Thomas Alfonso said VA relies on school certification to determine whether a student is enrolled solely online or in resident instruction. VA agreed to provide requested enrollment and payment-share numbers for the record.

Lawmakers and witnesses signaled bipartisan interest in advancing some measures, and VA told the committee it would work with members to resolve technical issues before finalizing legislation.