US Federal 2023-2024 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB1635

Introduced
3/17/23  
Refer
3/17/23  

Caption

To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of survivors' and dependents' educational assistance provided to an eligible individual pursuing a program of education at an institution in the Republic of the Philippines.

Impact

The legislation will directly affect the educational benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). By adjusting the provisions related to educational assistance, HB1635 aims to facilitate a greater level of financial support for veterans' dependents who choose to study in the Philippines. This change is expected to help bridge existing gaps in funding, allowing more dependents to pursue higher education in that country, which may have previously been financially prohibitive.

Summary

House Bill 1635 seeks to amend Title 38 of the United States Code by increasing the amount of educational assistance available to survivors and dependents of veterans who are pursuing educational programs in the Republic of the Philippines. This proposed amendment reflects a recognition of the importance of educational opportunities for those affected by military service, particularly in relation to the specific context of educational programs offered in the Philippines.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding the bill may arise from budgetary considerations and the scrutiny of priorities within the veterans' benefits system. Questions could be raised regarding the sufficient allocation of resources and whether increasing funding for education in a foreign country takes away from benefits that could be allotted to veterans pursuing education domestically. Consequently, discussions may revolve around the balance between supporting dependents studying abroad and ensuring adequate support for veterans studying within the U.S.

Companion Bills

US HB1669

Related VET–TEC Authorization Act of 2023

Previously Filed As

US HB5436

To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit an educational institution from withholding a transcript from an individual who pursued a course or program of education at such institution using Post-9/11 educational assistance.

US SB4231

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase flexibility in the transferability of Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, and for other purposes.

US HB221

Professional Pell Education Learning Act or the PROPEL Act This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by allowing students to use these grants for enrollment in educational programs that consist of vocational or technical training, flight training, apprenticeship, or other on-job training. In addition, the bill expands institutional eligibility under the Federal Pell Grant program, including by allowing these vocational and training programs to be unaccredited.

US HB967

Modern GI Bill ActThis bill authorizes individuals who are entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to apply amounts of such assistance to repay federal student loans for up to 36 months.The bill sets a cap and annual cost-of-living increases for the amount of educational assistance that may be paid to an individual under this bill during FY2026 and the following years.

US HB790

To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize an individual who is awarded the Purple Heart for service in the Armed Forces to transfer unused Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to a family member, and for other purposes.

US SB4237

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the eligibility requirements for transfer of unused entitlement to Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, and for other purposes.

US HB202

States' Education Reclamation Act of 2023 This bill abolishes the Department of Education (ED) and repeals any program for which it has administrative responsibility. The Department of the Treasury shall provide grants to states, for FY2023-FY2031, for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education purposes permitted by state law. The level of funding is set at the amount provided to states for federal elementary and secondary education programs and the amount provided for federal postsecondary education programs, respectively, for FY2023, minus the funding provided for education programs that the bill transfers to other federal agencies. States must contract for an annual audit of their expenditures or transfers of grant funds. Program administrative responsibility and delegation of authority are transferred as follows: ED's job training programs to the Department of Labor, each special education grant program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ED's Indian education programs to the Department of the Interior, each Impact Aid program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to the Department of Defense, the Federal Pell Grant program and each federal student loan program to Treasury, and programs under the jurisdiction of the Institute of Education Sciences or the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program to HHS.

US HB7472

To amend title 38, United States Code, to repeal a certain limitation on the receipt of assistance under both the Department of Veterans Affairs Veteran Readiness and Employment program and Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance programs.

US HR156

Honoring the 25th anniversary of the partnership between Guam and the Republic of the Philippines under the State Partnership Program.

US HB66

Native American Education Opportunity Act This bill addresses education savings account programs and charter schools for tribal students. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education and the Department of the Interior, at the request of federally recognized Indian tribes, to provide funds to tribes for tribal-based education savings account programs. Tribes must use these funds to award grants to education savings accounts for students who (1) attended or will be eligible to attend a school operated by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE); or (2) will not be attending a school operated by the BIE, receiving an education savings account from another tribe, or attending public elementary or secondary school while participating in the program. Funds may be used for items and activities such as costs of attendance at private schools, private tutoring and online learning programs, textbooks, educational software, or examination fees. The Government Accountability Office must review the implementation of these education savings account programs, including any factors impacting increased participation in such programs. Additionally, the bill authorizes the BIE to approve and fund charter schools at any school that it operates or funds.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.