Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) to help support United States military veterans who are students is headed to the president to be signed into law.
The Veterans Eligible to Transfer School (VETS) Credit Act, H.R. 6604, which Rep. Buchanan sponsored in February, on Dec. 19 received unanimous approval from the U.S. Senate and on Dec. 23 was presented to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill on May 17.
“I’m pleased to see the U.S. Senate approve my bill, the VETS Credit Act, to ensure that no veteran loses access to the valuable G.I. Bill credits they earned and deserve by virtue of their service and look forward to this important measure being signed into law,” Rep. Buchanan said on Dec. 21.
Specifically, H.R. 6604 will guarantee that student veterans can easily transfer their course credits to another institution if a school closes or program ends. It also will require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to work with student veterans to explain the school credit transfer process and to provide them with a certificate of eligibility from the VA providing proof of their restored benefits when they transfer credits, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Buchanan’s staff.
H.R. 6604 also includes a provision from U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) to make it easier for dependents of veterans or active-duty military to retain transferred Post-9/11 G.I. bill benefits, the summary says.
“The G.I. Bill’s promise of a college education is one of the most important and effective tools we have to recruit and retain the very best and brightest to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Rep. Buchanan.
The bill garnered support from Disabled American Veterans, Veterans Education Success, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.