Protections for Student Veterans Act

Bill: 117-hr-5603
Sponsor: Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
Introduced: 2021-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Aviation and airports
Educational guidance
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Licensing and registrations
Student aid and college costs
Transportation employees
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-15
text: 

Protections for Student Veterans Act

 
This bill authorizes service members who are utilizing Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance benefits to withdraw or take a leave of absence after they receive orders for active service, inactive-duty training, or state active duty.
 
Institutions of higher education are prohibited from taking adverse actions against such service members for withdrawing or taking a leave of absence, including
 
 
assigning a failing grade,
 
reducing the member's grade point average,
 
characterizing any absence as unexcused, or
 
 assessing financial penalties.
 
 
The bill requires institutions of higher education to refund all tuition and fees (including for housing) for the academic term for which the service member withdraws.
 
In situations where the service member takes a leave of absence, the institution of higher education must assign a grade of incomplete for the applicable term and permit the member to complete the academic term after the period of service.
 

action_date: 2021-11-16
text: 

Protections for Student Veterans Act

 
This bill authorizes service members who are utilizing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance benefits to withdraw or take a leave of absence after they receive orders for active service, inactive-duty training, or state active duty and addresses matters related to VA educational assistance for flight training.
 
Institutions of higher education are prohibited from taking adverse actions (e.g., assigning a failing grade) against such service members for withdrawing or taking a leave of absence.
 
The bill requires institutions of higher education to refund all tuition and fees (including for housing) for the academic term for which the service member withdraws.
 
In situations where the service member takes a leave of absence, the institution of higher education must assign a grade of incomplete for the applicable term and permit the member to complete the academic term after the period of service.
 
The bill adjusts requirements related to utilizing VA educational assistance for flight training purposes, including by removing the requirement that an individual must possess a valid private pilot certificate and meet certain medical requirements to utilize such assistance.
 
Individuals enrolled in a program of education at an institution of higher learning in which flight training is required may elect to receive accelerated payments of tuition and fees if they also elect to receive educational counseling. The bill also specifies the calculation and determination of such fees, as well as the calculation of available entitlement in cases of accelerated payments.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6283-6284)
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6283-6284)
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5603.
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6283-6286)
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Discharged.
action_date: 2021-10-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2021-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-15
text: Introduced in House