Legislative Tracker: Military & Veterans Aid
On this page, you'll find proposals focused on aid for servicemembers.
H.R.6679 — Scholarship for Service: The Building Better Americans Act
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson [R-OH]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 02/09/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would create a scholarship for first time undergraduate students who served for at least two years in the military, emergency medical service, police force, or as a teacher's assistant or firefighter. Eligible students would receive an amount equal to the cost of attendance at the institution of higher education in which such eligible student enrolls for up to two academic years.
S.3373 — Protecting Our Gold Star Families Education Act
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine [D-VA]
Cosponsors: 2 (2D; 0R)
Introduced: 12/09/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would expand access to Pell Grants to the dependents of those killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2021. In 2019 sequestration forced institutions to reduce the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant by 6.2%, this bill would move the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant to the Pell Grant Program, which is exempted from effects of sequestration, allowing eligible students to be eligible for the maximum Pell Grant for each award year.
H.R.4053 — Defense Community Teacher Support Act
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson [R-TX]
Cosponsors: 3 (2D; 1R)
Introduced: 06/22/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would allow teachers serving in military communities to be eligible for federal student loan forgiveness after five years of service. Additionally, this bill would provide for military spouses of active duty servicemembers to retain loan forgiveness eligibility as they transition through a permanent change of station.
H.R.3586 — Veteran Education Empowerment Act
Sponsor: Rep. Frankel [D-FL]
Cosponsors: 36
Introduced: 05/28/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would establish grant programs in order to create, maintain, and operate Student Veteran Centers at colleges and universities across the nation. These centers would be designed to give a boost to student veterans as they transition from military to civilian life. Higher education institutions would need to apply for the grant through the Department of Education and meet certain criteria.
H.R.3641 — Military Spouse Student Loan Deferment Act
Sponsor: Rep. Stefanik [R-NY]
Cosponsors: 10
Introduced: 05/28/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would allow spouses of members of the military to be eligible to receive student loan deferment because of loss of employment as a result of relocation to accommodate a permanent change in duty station for their military spouse.
H.R.3486 — Recognizing Military Service in PSLF Act
Sponsor: Rep. Courtney [D-CT]
Cosponsors: 1
Introduced: 05/25/2021)
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would allow periods of military deferments and forbearances to count as qualifying months towards the 120 “payments” needed to obtain Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
H.R.2968 — Military and Veteran Caregiver Student Loan Relief Act of 2021
Sponsor: Rep. Connolly [D-VA]
Cosponsors: 6
Introduced: 05/04/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would add an individual's service as a veteran family caregiver as a public service job for purposes of the public service loan forgiveness program.
S.1480 — Recognizing Military Service in PSLF Act
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan [D-NH]
Cosponsors: 6
Introduced: 04/29/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would allow periods of military deferments and forbearances to count as qualifying months towards the 120 “payments” needed to obtain Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
H.R.1536 — Improving College Affordability for our Guard and Reserve Act
Sponsor: Rep. Reschenthaler [R-PA]
Cosponsors: 6
Introduced: 03/03/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would include all members of the Armed Forces, including veteran and National Guard or Reserve service members, in the definition of an independent student for FAFSA and federal financial aid purposes.
Legislative Tracker Overview | Archive: Military & Veterans Aid
Publication Date: 3/24/2022