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Student‑veterans, VSO leaders press Congress for Guard/Reserve GI Bill parity and education benefit updates
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Summary
Student Veterans of America and other witnesses asked Congress to pass the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act and to update education benefits (MHA, book stipends, work‑study) to reflect current costs and online learning realities.
Student Veterans of America and allied witnesses urged the House and Senate committees to modernize GI Bill rules and student supports, and to pass legislation that restores parity for National Guard and Reserve service and updates benefit mechanics for online learners and book stipends.
Jared Lyon, CEO of Student Veterans of America, said the GI Bill should be "the front door to the VA" for recently separated service members and urged Congress to require a national monthly housing allowance for online learners so veterans pursuing online degrees are not penalized. He also asked Congress to raise the annual book stipend, which has not been updated since 2009, and to modernize VA work‑study so placements are career‑relevant.
Ms. Keenan, national legislative director for VFW (and a National Guard veteran), explained Guard and Reserve members frequently deploy for domestic and overseas missions but do not always earn full Post‑9/11 GI Bill credit. "We just want parity that every day in uniform where a service member is receiving pay counts toward their eligibility for post‑9/11 education benefits," she told the committee.
Lawmakers expressed bipartisan support for the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act and for targeted changes to make benefits more usable for student veterans balancing work and family responsibilities. Several members also raised concerns about VA payment delays tied to staffing shortages: witnesses reported a small number of veterans had missed or delayed payments in February and that school certifying officials had flagged staffing challenges in the enrollment manager as a cause.
Witnesses recommended Congress update MHA policy, increase book stipends, authorize modernized work‑study placements aligned with labor market needs, and pass parity for Guard and Reserve service so benefits reflect current service patterns.
