A bipartisan bill introduced on Sept. 27 by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) would make it easier for United States military service members and veterans to have their military service honored for credit when working toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
“The men and women in our military selflessly serve their nation, which entitles them to these benefits,” Sen. Moran said. “Streamlining the process to access loan forgiveness will help our military members receive their earned benefits and help them achieve financial freedom.”
Efforts have stalled between the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to give borrowers automatic credit toward PLSF, a program that forgives student debt for qualified public servants, including teachers, firefighters, and military service members, according to information provided by Sen. Moran’s staff.
The Ensuring Military Access to Higher Education Benefits Act of 2023, S. 2949, which Sen. Moran cosponsored on Sept. 27 alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), would put the initiative back on track by requiring DOD and the Education Department to share existing information so borrowers receive automatic credit toward PLSF for their qualifying service, the information says.
Specifically, S. 2949 would require the Education Department to complete a data-matching agreement with DOD to enable automatic credit toward PSLF for military service members.
“We should be making it easier for service members and veterans to get their loans forgiven after serving this country,” said Sen. Cortez Masto. “My bipartisan legislation will remove barriers that are keeping too many military members and veterans from accessing benefits they’ve earned.”
The legislation is endorsed by Student Veterans of America and Veterans Education Success.