Legislation aiding servicemembers’ higher education introduced by Costello

The bipartisan Servicemember Higher Education Protection Act to streamline and improve the federal financial aid process for servicemembers and their families was introduced on Tuesday by U.S. Reps. Ryan Costello (R-PA) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).

“For our men and women in uniform, academic success should not mean a lifetime of repaying student loans,” Costello said. “Therefore, I have joined Congresswoman Sinema in introducing legislation to streamline and improve the federal financial aid processes for our veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Specifically, this legislation will make families aware of the full range of benefits and programs, provide loan relief for military spouses, discharge loans for veterans assigned 100 percent service-connected disabilities, and reduce the interest for active duty borrowers. All are common-sense measures that we can take to ensure our nation’s bravest individuals are not strapped with student loan debt as they serve our nation.”

The legislation would fully discharge student loans for veterans assigned a 100 percent service-related disability rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the act defers student loan payments for military spouses for six months if their families are relocated and prevents student loan interest from accruing when active duty borrowers are deployed in a combat zone.

“Congress passed laws like the GI Bill and the Servicemember Civil Relief Act to ensure that military families have access to the American Dream,” Sinema said. “College costs are rising and it is often difficult for servicemembers to take full advantage of the benefits they’ve earned. This legislation is a commonsense solution that makes student loans more predictable and affordable for military families.”

The legislation is also supported by leaders within the veterans community.

“On behalf of the over two million members of The American Legion, I would like to express support for the Servicemember Higher Education Protection Act,” National Commander of The American Legion Dale Barnett said. “This bill would work to ensure military families have better information about resources and invoking their protections on student loans, help to improve the student loan system and improve support for servicemembers and veterans on campus.”