H.R. 3753: Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act

The Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act aims to make changes to the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program, which is designed to support veterans pursuing education after military service. The main focus of this bill is to increase the monthly housing stipend for veterans who enroll in educational programs delivered through distance learning, provided they are studying more than half-time.

Key Provisions

• Increase in Housing Stipend: The legislation proposes to modify the computation for the monthly housing allowance that veterans receive under the program. Specifically, it plans to remove a requirement that currently limits the stipend to only 50% of the rate that would otherwise apply.
• Applicability: The new housing stipend rate would take effect for any academic quarter, semester, or term that starts on or after August 1, 2025.

Goals of the Bill

The overall goal of this bill is to enhance financial support for veterans who are studying online, making it easier for them to access higher education and benefit from the programs offered through distance learning. By increasing the housing stipend, the bill aims to reduce the financial burden on veterans who are pursuing their education through virtual formats.

Implementation Timeline

If enacted, the changes introduced by this bill would apply to educational programs beginning from August 1, 2025, or later. This timeline gives educational institutions and veterans some lead time to adjust to the new housing stipend rates.

Impact on Veterans

By increasing the housing stipend for those studying online, the bill seeks to attract more veterans to enroll in distance learning programs. This could potentially lead to greater educational outcomes for veterans and approach the growing trend of online education.

Relevant Companies

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