I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2878 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a Native VetSuccess 
at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 28, 2021 
Mr. GALLEGO (for himself, Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota, Mr. O’HALLERAN, 
and Mr. COLE) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out 
a Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities 
Pilot Program. 
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 ‘‘Native VetSuccess at 
Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program Act’’. 
SEC. 2. NATIVE VETSUCCESS AT TRIBAL COLLEGES AND 
UNIVERSITIES PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
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Veterans Affairs shall carry out a five-year pilot program, 
to be known as the ‘‘Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges 
and Universities Pilot Program’’. Under such pilot pro-
gram the Secretary shall— 
(1) identify three regional Native VetSuccess 
service areas consisting of at least two participating 
Tribal colleges or universities; 
(2) assign to each regional Native VetSuccess 
service area a VetSuccess on Campus counselor and 
a full-time Vet Center outreach coordinator, both of 
whom shall be based on one or more of the partici-
pating Tribal colleges or universities in the service 
area; and 
(3) provide for eligible students at such partici-
pating colleges and universities with all services for 
which such students would be eligible under the 
VetSuccess on Campus program of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
(b) ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.—For purposes of the pilot 
program, an eligible student is a student who is a veteran, 
member of the Armed Forces, or dependent of a veteran 
or member of the Armed Forces who is eligible for any 
service or benefit under the VetSuccess on Campus pro-
gram of the Department. 
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(c) CONSULTATION REQUIREMENT.—In developing 
the pilot program under this section, the Secretary, acting 
through the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs and in coordination 
with the Office of Tribal Government Relations of the De-
partment, shall consult with Indian tribes, Tribal organi-
zations, and veterans service organizations regarding each 
of the following: 
(1) The design of the pilot program. 
(2) The selection of the three regional Native 
VetSuccess service areas and participating Tribal 
colleges and universities, taking into consideration— 
(A) the number of eligible students en-
rolled in the college or university and in the re-
gional service area; 
(B) the capacity of the colleges and univer-
sities in the regional service area to accommo-
date a full-time VetSuccess on Campus coun-
selor and a full-time Vet Center outreach coor-
dinator; 
(C) the lack of information available at the 
colleges and universities in the regional service 
area about and lack of access to benefits and 
services under the laws administered by the 
Secretary; and 
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(D) any other factor that the Secretary or 
the Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and vet-
erans service organizations identify as relevant. 
(3) The most effective way to provide culturally 
competent outreach and services to eligible students 
at Tribal colleges and universities. 
(d) OUTREACH TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.— 
The Secretary shall provide notice of the pilot program 
to all Tribal colleges and universities and encourage all 
Tribal colleges and universities to coordinate with each 
other to create regional service areas to participate in the 
pilot program. 
(e) BRIEFINGS AND REPORTS.— 
(1) IMPLEMENTATION
BRIEFING.—Not later 
than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall provide for the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Natural 
Resources of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee 
on Indian Affairs of the Senate a briefing on— 
(A) the design, structure, and objectives of 
the pilot program; and 
(B) the three regional Native Vet Success 
service areas and the Tribal colleges and uni-
versities selected for participation in the pilot 
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program and the reason for the selection of 
such service areas and such colleges and univer-
sities. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than four years after 
the date on which the Secretary establishes the pilot 
program, the Secretary shall submit to such Com-
mittees a report on the pilot program. Such report 
shall include each of the following: 
(A) The number of eligible students pro-
vided services through the pilot program. 
(B) The types of services that eligible stu-
dents received through the pilot program. 
(C) The graduation rate of eligible stu-
dents who received services through the pilot 
program. 
(D) The rate of employment within one 
year of graduation for eligible students who re-
ceived services through the pilot program. 
(E) Feedback from each Tribal college or 
university that participated in the pilot pro-
gram, including on the regional nature of the 
program. 
(F) Analysis of the feasibility of expanding 
a regionally based Native VetSuccess at Tribal 
Colleges and Universities Program, including an 
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explanation of the challenges of such a model 
due to issues with distance, communication, and 
coordination, and to the level of unmet services. 
(G) A detailed legislative proposal regard-
ing a long-term extension of the pilot program, 
including a budget, if the Secretary determines 
that such an extension is appropriate. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘Tribal college or university’’ has 
the meaning given such term under section 316 of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1059c). 
(2) The term ‘‘tribal organization’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian 
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 450b). 
(3) The term ‘‘culturally competent’’ means 
considerate of the unique values, customs, traditions, 
cultures, and languages of Native American vet-
erans. 
Æ 
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