Citing Increased Support for Student Veterans, Rep. Takano Endorses Bipartisan Proposal for GI Bill Expansion
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), vice chair of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, endorsed a bipartisan proposal to expand the GI Bill, citing key provisions that will increase support for student veterans and provide relief to those affected by unethical practices in the for-profit college industry.
The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, which was unveiled this afternoon, includes three bills previously introduced by Rep. Takano: The GI Bill Fairness Act, the Work-Study for Student Veterans Act, and the Veterans Education Relief and Restoration Act.
“When veterans come home they deserve more than a thank you and a pat on the back, they deserve the opportunity to build a rewarding, purposeful, and prosperous life,” said Rep. Takano. “By expanding support for student veterans and providing relief to those harmed by deceptive practices in the for-profit college industry, this bipartisan compromise properly reflects our respect and gratitude for veterans’ service.”
The legislative package includes three pieces of legislation championed by Rep. Takano:
- The GI Bill Fairness Act ends the unequal treatment of Guardsmen and Reservists by ensuring they can accrue GI Bill benefits when ordered to active duty for their recovery, treatment, and rehabilitation.
- The Work-Study for Student Veterans Act makes permanent the VA’s Student Work-Study Allowance Program, which allows qualifying student veterans to get paid for work that assists fellow veterans, whether it’s on campus, at VA facilities, or at other veteran-centered organizations.
- The Veterans Education Relief and Restoration Act restores GI Bill benefits lost by student veterans if their school abruptly closes due to financial trouble, federal investigations and lawsuits, or other factors. It applies retroactively to former students of Corinthian Colleges and ITT Technical Institute, and includes housing benefits as well as tuition support.
“I’ve been pushing to help veterans cheated out of their GI Bill benefits since my first day in Congress. This is a major step forward and I hope it leads to more legislation that holds for-profit schools accountable for providing all students the education and opportunity they are promised,” Rep. Takano said.
More information on the bill is available here.
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