Ensuring the Best Schools for Veterans Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-4458
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2022-06-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2022-06-23
text: 

Ensuring the Best Schools for Veterans Act of 2022

 
This bill makes adjustments to the process by which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates programs of education for violations of the 85/15 Rule. 
 
The rule generally prohibits the VA from approving the enrollment of a veteran in any course at an educational institution where more than 85% of the students are having all or part of their tuition or other charges paid by the institution or the VA.
 
The bill adds an exception for tuition or charges paid under a payment plan at an educational institution with a history of offering payment plans that are completed within 180 days after the end of the applicable term, quarter, or semester.
 
The bill also requires the VA to establish a process by which an educational institution may request a review of a determination that the institution has more than 85% of enrolled students that have all or part of their tuition or other charges paid by the institution or the VA.
 
The bill adjusts the existing 35% exemption by exempting courses from the 85/15 Rule if the majority of courses at the institution are approved by the state approving agency, and the total number of veterans, reservists, or eligible beneficiaries who are enrolled at the institution equals 35% or less of the total student enrollment at the institution.
 
Additionally, the 85/15 Rule does not apply with respect to the enrollment of a veteran in a program of education with fewer than 10 students who are having all or part of their tuition or other charges paid to or for them by the educational institution or the VA.

action_date: 2022-08-26
text: 

Ensuring the Best Schools for Veterans Act of 2022

 
This act makes adjustments to the process by which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates programs of education for violations of the 85/15 Rule. 
 
The rule generally prohibits the VA from approving the enrollment of a veteran in any course at an educational institution where more than 85% of the students are having all or part of their tuition or other charges paid by the institution or the VA.
 
The act adds an exception for tuition or charges paid under a payment plan at an educational institution with a history of offering payment plans that are completed within 180 days after the end of the applicable term, quarter, or semester.
 
The act also requires the VA to establish a process by which an educational institution may request a review of a determination that the institution has more than 85% of enrolled students that have all or part of their tuition or other charges paid by the institution or the VA.
 
The act adjusts the existing 35% exemption by exempting courses from the 85/15 Rule if the majority of courses at the institution are approved by the state approving agency, and the total number of veterans, reservists, or eligible beneficiaries who are enrolled at the institution equals 35% or less of the total student enrollment at the institution.
 
Additionally, the 85/15 Rule does not apply with respect to the enrollment of a veteran in a program of education with fewer than 10 students who are having all or part of their tuition or other charges paid to or for them by the educational institution or the VA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-08-26
text: Became Public Law No: 117-174.
action_date: 2022-08-26
text: Became Public Law No: 117-174.
action_date: 2022-08-26
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2022-08-26
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2022-08-23
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2022-08-23
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2022-08-12
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2022-08-12
text: On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H7704-7705)
action_date: 2022-08-12
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.
action_date: 2022-08-12
text: Mr. Takano asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
action_date: 2022-08-12
text: Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H7704-7705)
action_date: 2022-08-09
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2022-08-09
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2022-08-08
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2022-08-04
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S4034)
action_date: 2022-08-04
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(text: CR S4034)
action_date: 2022-08-04
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4034)
action_date: 2022-08-04
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4034)
action_date: 2022-07-13
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2022-06-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2022-06-23
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 117-174