Title: GI Bill Distance Learning Improvement Act
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
GI Bill Distance Learning Improvement Act
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make a one-time $500 payment for the purchase of a computer for an individual who is entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and is pursuing a program of education solely or partially through distance learning on more than a half-time basis. An individual must submit an application to the VA to be eligible for the computer payment.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5945 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 5945

   To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs to make payments to individuals entitled to 
   educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance 
program who pursue a program of education through distance learning to 
         be used to purchase computers, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            November 9, 2021

  Mrs. Torres of California introduced the following bill; which was 
             referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs to make payments to individuals entitled to 
   educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance 
program who pursue a program of education through distance learning to 
         be used to purchase computers, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``GI Bill Distance Learning 
Improvement Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDING; SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    (a) Finding.--Congress finds that during the COVID-19 pandemic, 
remote learning technology such as computers and routers for internet 
were more important than ever for many veteran students.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Department of Veterans Affairs should explore options for ensuring all 
veteran students have access to the technology and connectivity they 
need to be successful in school.

SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL PAYMENT TO DISTANCE LEARNERS UNDER DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 
              FOR PURCHASE OF COMPUTER.

    Section 3313 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(m) Additional Amount for Purchase of Computers for Distance 
Learners.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make a one-time 
        payment to an individual pursuing a program of education solely 
        or partially through distance learning on more than a half-time 
        basis in an amount of $500 to be used for the purchase of a 
        computer for use in pursuing such program of education.
            ``(2) Application.--To be eligible for a payment under this 
        subsection, an individual shall submit to the Secretary an 
        application containing such information and assurances as the 
        Secretary may require.''.
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