Student Veterans' College Affordability Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5651
Sponsor: Rep. Mitchell, Harry E. [D-AZ-5]
Introduced: 2008-03-14 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Apprenticeship
Armed forces reserves
College costs
Correspondence schools and courses
Education
Employment tests
Flight training
Higher education
Labor and Employment
Law
Licenses
Scholarships
Student loan funds
Transportation and Public Works
Veterans' education

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-14
text: 
Student Veterans' College Affordability Act of 2008 - Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to entitle to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill certain individuals who serve on active duty in the Armed Forces (including the reserves) on or after September 11, 2001. Establishes the duration of such assistance (in most cases 36 months) and assistance amounts. Requires programs of education pursued with such assistance to be approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Allows for the pursuit of an approved program of education while on active duty. Allows, under such assistance, for the pursuit of: (1) programs on less than a half-time basis; (2) apprenticeship or other on-job training; (3) correspondence courses; (4) flight training; (5) tutorial assistance; and (6) licensure and certification tests.
 
Authorizes the provision of supplemental veterans' educational assistance for additional service above the qualifying amount for basic educational assistance.
 
Directs the Secretary to carry out a program under which colleges and universities can voluntarily contribute a portion of the educational assistance costs for veterans attending such college or university, which contributions shall be matched by the Secretary.
 
Terminates the educational assistance authorized under this Act 15 years after the qualifying individual's last discharge or release from active duty. Bars the duplication of educational assistance benefits. Directs the Secretary to inform individuals of their entitlement to assistance provided under this Act.
 
Allows individuals currently under the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program to elect to participate in the post-9/11 educational assistance program with respect to any unused entitlement.
 
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit educational assistance provided under specified benefit programs for veterans and members of the Selected Reserve from being considered in analyses of their need for assistance under title IV (Student Assistance) of the Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2008-03-14
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-03-14
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-03-14
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-03-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-14
text: Introduced in House