Reps. Crow, Wilson Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Education Benefits for US Service Families
The Veterans Earned Education Act Expands Eligibility to Transfer Education Benefits Without Continuation of Service
WASHINGTON — Today, Representatives Jason Crow (D-CO-06) and Joe Wilson (R-SC-02), Army veterans, introduced the Veterans Earned Education Act, bipartisan legislation that would expand educational opportunities for the dependents and spouses of servicemembers without imposing additional service obligations.
“Servicemembers earned GI benefits as well as the right to share those benefits with their dependents. Right now medically retired veterans are not able to share GI bill benefits with their dependents and spouses. This bill would fix that,” said Congressman Crow. “I’m glad to introduce this legislation with Rep. Wilson to expand education access for the military families who shoulder the sacrifice.”
“As a 31-year veteran and the father of four sons who have served overseas, I understand the need to provide educational assistance opportunities to veterans and their eligible family members. However, currently, those benefits have limitations, which is why I am grateful to co-lead the bipartisan Veterans Earned Education Act with Rep. Jason Crow. This bill would expand the number of those individuals eligible to transfer Post-9/11 educational assistance to their dependents without an additional service obligation. The added ability to transfer earned benefits supports growth, retention, and financial stability,” said Congressman Wilson.
Key Provisions of the Veterans Earned Education Act:
Service Members with 17 or More Years of Service: The legislation would allow servicemembers with 17 or more years of service to transfer their education benefits to dependents or spouses without serving an additional four years and past retirement eligibility (20 years).
Medically Retired Service Members: Currently, those who have been medically retired are not eligible to transfer education benefits to their dependents or spouses. This bill would permit medically retired servicemembers to transfer benefits to their dependents or spouses, ensuring they have the support they need and access to the benefits they could have had prior to their service-related injury.
This bill builds on Congressman Crow’s longstanding efforts to protect the benefits of servicemembers, veterans, and their families in Colorado and across the country have earned. These include fighting to ensure servicemembers are stationed near their dependent children addressing higher education affordability for US service families, helping pass into law the PACT Act – the largest expansion of veterans health benefits in US history, and defending veterans benefits in the face of proposed cuts to critical federal programs.
Read the full text of the legislationhere.