Veterans Resource Centers would be established via competitive federal grants made to public universities across the United States under a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE).
“America’s veterans are a boundless source of national strength and economic potential, especially those who wish to further their education,” Rep. Bacon said. “This bill provides these veterans with resources on campus to ensure they graduate on time, and are on track for future success.”
The Veterans Resource Center Act of 2018, H.R. 6766, introduced on Sept. 10 by U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), would authorize competitive grants through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to public institutions of higher education (IHEs), according to a summary provided by Rep. Bacon’s office.
In turn, the IHEs would be required to use the funds to establish, maintain and provide services at campuses across the country that give priority registration to veteran and military-connected students, the summary says.
“Veteran Resource Centers fulfill our promise to veterans, assist them in using the federal tuition support they have earned, and help them continue to serve America as innovators and leaders in our communities,” said Rep. Bacon, the original cosponsor of H.R. 6766.
The public IHE-based support centers would be modeled on the California State University system’s Veteran Success Centers, which offer veteran and military-connected students an on-campus dedicated space to find resources, veteran benefits, Veteran Service Organizations, and social and study opportunities, according to his office.
Rep. Bacon, who noted that Veterans Resource Centers also have operated successfully in the University of Nebraska system, said it’s “crucial that the men and women who have sacrificed so much for us are not forgotten once they take off their uniforms.”
In fact, University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds said H.R. 6766 “would further elevate” the system’s efforts through resource centers and other strategies to “help veterans and military-affiliated students achieve their educational goals.”
“This bill will help our veterans choose classes that fit their personal needs allowing them to graduate on time, while simultaneously providing them social and educational support,” added Rep. Panetta.
H.R. 6766 has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the House Armed Services Committee.