Barr aims to put STEM scholarship within reach of student veterans

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) on April 10 sponsored a bipartisan bill to expand access to a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) scholarship program for student veterans.

“It is incumbent upon us to provide our veterans with the tools they need to be successful in their transition to civilian life after serving in the Armed Forces,” said Rep. Barr, who serves on the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

H.R. 2196 would reduce the credit hour requirement for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM scholarship program, according to the congressional record. The undergraduate program is part of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, also known as the Forever GI Bill, and is administered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“By removing arbitrary credit hour requirements for student veterans enrolled in STEM programs and giving them more flexibility to use their Forever GI Bill benefits, veterans will be able to better take advantage of the education benefits they are owed,” Rep. Barr said.

H.R. 2196 is cosponsored by U.S. Reps. Phil Roe (R-TN), ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Mike Levin (D-CA).

“It is critical that veterans have the support they need to pursue a STEM degree,” said Rep. Levin. “I will continue to work with my colleagues across the aisle on measures to ensure that veterans can launch careers in high-demand industries.”

Rep. Roe noted that “by eliminating the credit hour requirement for a STEM degree program to qualify for this scholarship, we are ensuring that the scholarship functions as intended and that all student veterans interested in a STEM degree are able to qualify for the additional funding.”