I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5023
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the payment of 
stipends to veterans who pursue doctoral degrees in science or technology. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 7, 2004
Mr. SWEENEY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the 
payment of stipends to veterans who pursue doctoral 
degrees in science or technology.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘G.I. Advanced Edu-
cation in Science and Technology Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) The United States is starting to lose domi-
nance in science and technology.
(2) Increasingly the mothers and fathers of sci-
entific and technological invention are not American, 
and the number of new doctorates in the sciences, 
and the number of doctoral students from other 
countries staying in the United States, are on the 
decline. 
(3) This decline has serious implications for 
jobs, industry, and national security in the United 
States. 
(4) Shortages in the science and technology 
base of the United States will be addressed, in part, 
by creating a scientific and technology doctoral 
study program in math, science, engineering, and 
technology for veterans. 
SEC. 3. STIPENDS FOR PURSUIT OF DOCTORAL DEGREES 
IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 30 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new subchapter:
‘‘SUBCHAPTER V—STIPENDS FOR VETERANS 
PURSUING 
DOCTORAL 
DEGREES 
IN 
SCIENCE OR TECHNOLOGY 
‘‘§ 3041. Stipend for pursuit of certain doctoral de-
grees 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of ap-
propriations for such purpose, the Secretary shall pay a 
monthly stipend to each eligible doctoral candidate under 
this subchapter for each month that the candidate is pur-
suing full-time a doctoral degree in the physical or natural 
sciences, engineering, mathematics, or other scientific or 
technology disciplines. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE DOCTORAL CANDIDATES DEFINED.—
In this subchapter, the term ‘eligible doctoral candidate’ 
means an individual who meets the following require-
ments: 
‘‘(1) The individual meets the requirements 
that apply under section 3011 for entitlement to 
basic educational assistance under subchapter II of 
this title, other than requirement under subsection 
(c) of such section 3011 (relating to reductions in 
basic pay). 
‘‘(2) The individual is pursuing full-time a doc-
toral degree in the physical or natural sciences, engi-
neering, mathematics, or other scientific or tech-
nology disciplines, after having completed a bach-
elor’s degree program in any academic discipline at 
an institution of higher education. 
‘‘(c) RELATION TO BASIC MONTGOMERY GI BILL 
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.—Payment of educational as-
sistance under this subchapter is in addition to payment 
of educational assistance under subchapter II or III of this 
chapter. 
‘‘§ 3042. Duration of payments 
‘‘Payments of stipends under section 3041 of this 
title to an eligible doctoral candidate may be made for a 
period not to exceed a total of 60 months. 
‘‘§ 3043. Amount of stipend 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), the 
Secretary shall pay to an eligible doctoral candidate pur-
suing a course at an institution of higher learning leading 
to a doctoral degree referred to in section 3041(a) of this 
title at the monthly rate of $1,200. 
‘‘(b) ADJUSTMENT FOR INFLATION.—With respect to 
any fiscal year beginning after fiscal year 2005, the Sec-
retary shall provide a percentage increase (rounded to the 
nearest dollar) in the rate payable under subsection (a) 
equal to the percentage by which—
‘‘(1) the Consumer Price Index (all items, 
United States city average) for the 12-month period
ending on the June 30 preceding the beginning of 
the fiscal year for which the increase is made, ex-
ceeds 
‘‘(2) such Consumer Price Index for the 12-
month period preceding the 12-month period de-
scribed in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(c) DISREGARD OF STIPEND AMOUNT IN DETER-
MINATION OF ASSISTANCE FROM INSTITUTION OF HIGH-
ER LEARNING.—Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, an institution of higher learning may not take into 
account payments made to an eligible doctoral candidate 
under section 3041 of this title in determining the amount 
of financial assistance (such as stipends and tuition remit-
tance) the institution would otherwise provide to the eligi-
ble doctoral candidate. 
‘‘§ 3044. Requirements 
‘‘Payments of stipends under section 3041 of this 
title to an eligible doctoral candidate may be made only 
insofar as the eligible doctoral candidate—
‘‘(1) has been accepted into an accredited doc-
toral program at an institution of higher learning; 
‘‘(2) provides annual documentation to the Sec-
retary of full-time matriculation in the doctoral pro-
gram; and 
‘‘(3) maintains good academic standing.
(5) Section 3019 of such title is amended by striking 
‘‘chapter’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘sub-
chapter’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 30 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
items:
‘‘SUBCHAPTER V—STIPENDS FOR VETERANS PURSUING DOCTORAL DEGREES 
IN SCIENCE OR TECHNOLOGY 
‘‘3041. Stipend for pursuit of certain doctoral degrees. 
‘‘3042. Duration of payments. 
‘‘3043. Amount of stipend. 
‘‘3044. Requirements. 
‘‘3045. Time limitation for payment of stipends. 
‘‘3046. Annual authorization of appropriations.’’.
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