House advances Buchanan’s VETS Credit Act

The U.S. House of Representatives on May 17 overwhelmingly approved legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) to help student veterans transfer their course credits to another institution if their school closes or a program ends suddenly.

The House voted 412-1 to advance the Veterans Eligible to Transfer School (VETS) Credit Act, H.R. 6604, to the U.S. Senate, which referred it for consideration to the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“I’m pleased to see the U.S. House approve my bill, the VETS Credit Act, to ensure that no veteran loses access to the valuable G.I. Bill credits they have earned and deserve by virtue of their service,” Rep. Buchanan said. “I am hopeful the Senate will take up and pass this important bill in the coming months, bringing it one step closer to becoming law.”

The congressman on Feb. 4 sponsored H.R. 6604, which addresses eligibility for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance for individuals who are transferring credits due to the closure or disapproval of a program of education, according to the congressional record bill summary.

Currently, an individual who transfers fewer than 12 credits from a program of education that is closed or disapproved must be deemed to have not received such credits, and the period for which the entitlement is not charged must be the entire period of the individual’s enrollment in the program, the summary says.

If enacted, H.R. 6604 would task the VA with requiring an individual to certify in writing the transfer of fewer than 12 credits from a program of education that is closed or disapproved. Among several provisions, the VA also would have to accept such a certification as proof that the individual is transferring fewer than 12 credits, the summary says.

The bill has been endorsed by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans Education Success.

“The G.I. Bill’s promise of a college education is one of most important and effective tools we have at our disposal to help recruit and retain the very best and brightest to serve in the U.S. military,” said Rep. Buchanan.