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Educational Assistance Programs Administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [August 17, 2011]
"The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), previously named the Veterans Administration, has been providing veterans educational assistance benefits since 1944. Although the programs are administered by the VA, the Department of Defense (DOD) pays for certain benefits and provides additional benefits to certain persons with critical skills or lengthy service. The benefits have been intended, at various times, to compensate for compulsory service, encourage voluntary service, avoid unemployment, provide equitable benefits to all who served, and promote military retention. In general, the benefits provide grant aid to eligible individuals enrolled in approved educational and training programs. The newest program, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, has the largest number of individuals receiving benefits. The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides benefits to veterans and servicemembers who serve on active duty after September 10, 2001. The program is designed to provide individuals who served on active duty for 36 months and who are pursuing undergraduate studies at public colleges and universities with the full cost of attendance: tuition and fees, housing, books and supplies, tutorial and relocation assistance, and fees for testing and certification, as needed. The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-377), enacted on January 4, 2011, makes several amendments to eligibility and benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. […] This report provides a description of the eligibility requirements, benefit availability, and benefit payments of the veterans educational assistance benefit programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2011-08-17
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Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010, As Enacted [August 17, 2011]
"The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Title 38 U.S.C., Chapter 33), commonly called the Post-9/11 GI Bill, was enacted as Title V of P.L. 110-252. It became effective August 1, 2009. For a full description of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report R40723, 'Educational Assistance Programs Administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs', by Cassandria Dortch. The Post-9/11 GI Bill was designed to provide financially comprehensive educational benefits to members of the Armed Forces for service on active duty after September 10, 2001, while meeting military recruiting and retention goals. Following enactment, concerns were raised about several aspects of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and calls were made for the program to be amended. These included proposals to expand eligibility and to improve the program's implementation, administration, and benefits. The 111th Congressional veterans committees held at least nine hearings to review progress and examine issues related to implementation, administration, benefit recipients, and the scope of the benefits. […] Senator Daniel K. Akaka introduced the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 (Improvements Act; S. 3447) on May 27, 2010. The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a hearing on the bill on July 21, 2010, and voted, without dissent, to report S. 3447 favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute on August 5, 2010. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the bill, as approved by the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, would increase direct spending for veterans readjustment benefits by about $2.3 billion over the period from FY2011 to FY2020."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2011-08-17
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Career and Technical Education (CTE): A Primer [September 20, 2012]
"Career and technical education (CTE), sometimes referred to as vocational education, provides occupational and non-occupational preparation at the secondary, postsecondary, and adult education levels. As defined in a publication by the U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CTE prepares students for roles outside the paid labor market, teaches general employment skills, and teaches skills required in specific occupations or careers. The definition distinguishes CTE from liberal arts or academic education: the fine arts, English, mathematics, science, foreign languages, and the humanities. A CTE curriculum is often designed to have a post-education practical application and develop broadly applicable skills. Academic educational courses are often designed to develop subject matter knowledge and broadly applicable skills."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2012-09-20
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Employment for Veterans: Trends and Programs [January 10, 2013]
"Veterans' employment outcomes in the civilian sector are an issue of ongoing congressional interest that has received particular attention during the current period of relatively high unemployment. A number of programs currently exist to assist veterans in obtaining or training for civilian employment. There is regular congressional debate about expanding or otherwise amending these programs to better serve veterans. This report discusses veterans' employment trends and programs. The first section presents data on veterans' employment outcomes, identifying recent trends, and discussing issues to consider when interpreting veterans' employment data. The following sections present brief discussions of existing programs that provide employment-related services to veterans. These services are divided into (1) general programs that are broadly available to veterans, (2) programs that target veterans with service-connected disabilities, and (3) competitive grant programs that provide additional employment-related services to veterans but may be limited in scope or availability."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Collins, Benjamin; Bradley, David H.; Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954- . . .
2013-01-10
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Employment for Veterans: Trends and Programs [October 23, 2012]
"Veterans' employment outcomes in the civilian labor market are an issue of ongoing congressional interest. This report offers introductory data on veterans' performance in the civilian labor market as well as a discussion of veteran-targeted federal programs that provide employment-related benefits and services. [...] There are a number of federal programs to assist veterans in developing job skills and securing civilian employment. Broadly speaking, these programs can be divided into (1) general veterans' programs, (2) programs that target veterans with service-connected disabilities, and (3) competitive grant programs that offer supplemental services but may be limited in scope."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Collins, Benjamin; Bradley, David H.; Dortch, Cassandria . . .
2012-10-23
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ESEA Reauthorization Proposals in the 112th Congress: Comparison of Major Features [November 6, 2012]
"The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was last amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB; P.L. 107-110). During the 112th Congress, both the House and Senate have considered legislation to reauthorize the ESEA. On October 20, 2011, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee considered and ordered reported the Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act of 2011 (S. 3578 [Senate Bill]; S.Rept. [Senate Report] 112-221) by a bipartisan vote of 15-7. The House Education and Workforce Committee considered and ordered reported two bills that together would provide for a comprehensive reauthorization of the ESEA: (1) the Student Success Act (H.R. 3989, H.Rept.[House Report] 112-458), and (2) the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act (H.R. 3990; H.Rept. 112-459 Part 1). Both bills were ordered reported on February 28, 2012, on strictly partisan votes (23-16 in each case). It is unclear whether S. 3578 or H.R. 3989 and H.R. 3990 will be considered on the Senate or House floors, respectively."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Skinner, Rebecca; Kuenzi, Jeffrey J., 1965-; Dortch, Cassandria
2012-11-06
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Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006: Implementation Issues [December 14, 2012]
"The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (Perkins IV; P.L. 109-270) supports the development of academic and career and technical skills among secondary education students and postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in career and technical education (CTE) programs, sometimes referred to as vocational education programs. Perkins IV was authorized through FY2012, which ended on September 30, 2012. The authorization is extended through FY2013 under the General Education Provisions Act. This report provides a summary of potential reauthorization issues that Congress may consider in the 113th Congress. Potential reauthorization issues and recommendations have been put forward by the Department of Education, the Obama Administration's blueprint for reauthorization of Perkins IV, stakeholder and advocacy groups, and program evaluations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2012-12-14
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GI Bills Enacted Prior to 2008 and Related Veterans' Educational Assistance Programs: A Primer [October 22, 2012]
"The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), previously named the Veterans Administration, has been providing veterans educational assistance (GI Bill) benefits since 1944. The benefits have been intended, at various times, to compensate for compulsory service, encourage voluntary service, avoid unemployment, provide equitable benefits to all who served, and promote military retention. In general, the benefits provide grant aid to eligible individuals enrolled in approved educational and training programs. Since three of the GI Bills have overlapping eligibility requirements and the United States is expected to wind down involvement in active conflicts, Congress may consider phasing out one or more of the overlapping programs. This report describes the GI Bills enacted prior to 2008. Although participation in the programs has ended or is declining, the programs' evolution and provisions inform current policy. The Post- 9/11 GI Bill (Title 38 U.S.C., Chapter 33), enacted in 2008, is described along with potential program issues in CRS Report R42755, The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Post-9/11 GI Bill): Primer and Issues, by Cassandria Dortch. This report provides a description of the eligibility requirements, eligible programs of education, benefit availability, and benefits. The report also provides some summary statistics, comparisons between the programs […], and brief discussions of related programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2012-10-22
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Education-Related Regulatory Flexibilities, Waivers, and Federal Assistance in Response to Disasters and National Emergencies [January 2, 2013]
"The 21st century has seen the operation of elementary, secondary, and postsecondary educational institutions and the education of the students they enroll disrupted by natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods, and by national emergencies, such as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. This report is intended to inform Congress of existing statutory and regulatory provisions that may aid in responding to future disasters and national emergencies that may affect the provision of or access to education and highlight the actions of previous Congresses to provide additional recovery assistance. The majority of federal aid for disaster management is made available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act; P.L. [Public Law] 93-288). Under the Stafford Act, public school districts, charter schools, private nonprofit educational institutions, public institutions of higher education (IHEs), and federally recognized Indian tribal governments are eligible to receive assistance for activities such as debris removal, infrastructure and equipment repair and replacement, hazard mitigation, and temporary facilities. The Stafford Act also authorizes federal agency heads to waive administrative, but not statutory, requirements to expedite assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria; Skinner, Rebecca; Smole, David P.
2013-01-02
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Employment for Veterans: Trends and Programs [February 20, 2014]
"Veterans' employment outcomes in the civilian labor market are an issue of ongoing congressional interest. This report offers introductory data on veterans' performance in the civilian labor market as well as a discussion of veteran-targeted federal programs that provide employment-related benefits and services. According to federal data, the unemployment rate for veterans who served after September 2001 is higher than the unemployment rate for non-veterans. Conversely, the unemployment rate for veterans from prior service periods (a much larger population than post-9/11 veterans) is lower than the non-veteran unemployment rate. The varied demographic factors of each of these populations likely contribute to these variations, though their degree of influence is unclear. There are a number of federal programs to assist veterans in developing job skills and securing civilian employment. Broadly speaking, these programs can be divided into (1) general veterans' programs, (2) programs that target veterans with service-connected disabilities, and (3) competitive grant programs that offer supplemental services but may not be available to veterans in all areas. General veterans' programs begin with transition programs that are provided to exiting members of the Armed Forces. These transition programs cover a variety of topics including information on identifying occupations that align with military skills and specializations, conducting job searches, applying for employment, and navigating veterans' benefits. One of the most common veterans' benefits is educational funding through the GI Bill. The GI Bill programs typically provide funding for tuition, fees, housing, books, and other educational costs while the veteran is enrolled."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Collins, Benjamin; Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Dortch, Cassandria . . .
2014-02-20
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Career and Technical Education (CTE): A Primer [February 10, 2014]
"Career and technical education (CTE), sometimes referred to as vocational education, provides occupational and non-occupational preparation at the secondary, postsecondary, and adult education levels. As defined in a publication by the U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CTE prepares students for roles outside the paid labor market, teaches general employment skills, and teaches skills required in specific occupations or careers. The definition distinguishes CTE from liberal arts or academic education: the fine arts, English, mathematics, science, foreign languages, and the humanities. A CTE curriculum is often designed to have a post-education practical application and develop broadly applicable skills. Academic educational courses are often designed to develop subject matter knowledge and broadly applicable skills."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2014-02-10
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Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (H.R. 3230; P.L. 113-146) [August 27, 2015]
"On August 7, 2014, President Obama signed the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (H.R. 3230; H.Rept. 113-564; P.L. 113-146). The Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014 (H.R. 5404; P.L. 113-175), the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (H.R. 83; P.L. 113-235), the Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act (H.R. 2496; P.L. 114-19), and the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 (H.R. 3236; P.L. 114-41) made amendments to some provisions in P.L. 113-146. The act, as amended, makes a number of changes to programs and policies of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that aim to increase access to care outside the VA health care system."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Panangala, Sidath Viranga; Carey, Maeve P.; Dortch, Cassandria . . .
2015-08-27
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GI Bills Enacted Prior to 2008 and Related Veterans' Educational Assistance Programs: A Primer [January 29, 2016]
From the Summary: "The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), previously named the Veterans Administration, has been providing veterans educational assistance (GI Bill®) benefits since 1944. The benefits have been intended, at various times, to compensate for compulsory service, encourage voluntary service, avoid unemployment, provide equitable benefits to all who served, and promote military retention. In general, the benefits provide grant aid to eligible individuals enrolled in approved educational and training programs. Since three of the GI Bills have overlapping eligibility requirements and the United States is expected to wind down involvement in active conflicts, Congress may consider phasing out one or more of the overlapping programs. This report describes the GI Bills enacted prior to 2008. Although participation in the programs has ended or is declining, the programs' evolution and provisions inform current policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2016-01-29
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TRIO Programs: A Primer [January 11, 2016]
"This report serves as an introduction to the TRIO programs. The TRIO programs are the primary federal programs providing support services to disadvantaged students to promote achievement in postsecondary education. The TRIO programs were so named by the 1968 Higher Education Act (HEA) amendments, which consolidated a trio of programs under one title. This report provides a description of the TRIO programs, authorized in Title IV-A-2-1 of the HEA, as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA; P.L. 110-315) in 2008. Key program amendments of the HEOA as implemented through final Department of Education (ED) regulations published in 2010 are discussed. The report is intended to support congressional understanding of the programs, summarize recent evaluations and performance reports, and review the Department of Education's progress in implementing HEOA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2016-01-11
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GI Bill Legislation Considered in the 114th Congress [September 21, 2016]
"The GI Bills® provide financial assistance to individuals, whose eligibility is based on experience in the uniformed services, while they are enrolled in approved programs of education, including training programs. In FY2017, the GI Bills are estimated to provide over $14 billion in benefits to over 1 million veterans and servicemembers and their dependents. The largest program, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, is estimated to account for approximately 93% of the benefits and 80% of the participants. This report provides a description of and background for selected provisions in bills that did and would amend the GI Bills and have been reported by a committee of the 114th Congress as of July 2016. [...] The Career-Ready Student Veterans Act (H.R. 2360) [House Resolution] was agreed to in the House on February 9, 2016. The bill is intended to ensure that GI Bill approved programs of education meet the standards required for state licensure, certification, or employment. Some GI Bill participants have indicated that they felt as though they wasted their benefits on programs of education that did not allow them to become employed in the occupation in which they were educated. This bill attempts to address this concern. The 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery and Other Improvements Act (S. 1203) was agreed to in the Senate on November 10, 2015. Among other provisions, the bill would require educational institutions to report the academic progress of Post-9/11 GI Bill participants. The provision is intended to make data available on the outcomes and return on investment of the Post-9/11 GI Bill."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2016-09-21
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GI Bill Legislation Considered in the 114th Congress [October 7, 2016]
"The GI Bills® provide financial assistance to individuals, whose eligibility is based on experience in the uniformed services, while they are enrolled in approved programs of education, including training programs. In FY2017, the GI Bills are estimated to provide over $14 billion in benefits to over 1 million veterans and servicemembers and their dependents. The largest program, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, is estimated to account for approximately 93% of the benefits and 80% of the participants. This report provides a description of and background for selected provisions in bills that did and would amend the GI Bills and have been reported by a committee of the 114th Congress as of July 2016."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2016-10-07
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Post-9/11 GI Bill: A Primer [August 1, 2018]
"The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers several educational assistance programs (GI Bills®) that provide funds to or on behalf of veterans and servicemembers and their family members to facilitate their enrollment in and pursuit of approved programs of education. Participation and spending for the Post-9/11 GI Bill has represented approximately 80% or more of total GI Bill participation and spending in each year since FY2013. In FY2018, the program is estimated to benefit almost 800,000 individuals and expend over $12 billion. For a description of the other GI Bills, see CRS Report R42785, GI Bills Enacted Prior to 2008 and Related Veterans' Educational Assistance Programs: A Primer. The Post-9/11 Veterans' Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Post-9/11 GI Bill)--enacted as Title V of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110-252) on June 30, 2008--is the newest GI Bill and went into effect on August 1, 2009. There were four main drivers for the Post-9/11 GI Bill: (1) providing parity of benefits for reservists and members of the regular Armed Forces, (2) ensuring comprehensive educational benefits, (3) meeting military recruiting goals, and (4) improving military retention through transferability of benefits."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2018-08-01
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Prisoners' Eligibility for Pell Grants: Issues for Congress [May 20, 2019]
From the Summary: "Under Department of Education (ED) regulations, any student who is 'serving a criminal sentence in a federal or state penitentiary, prison, jail, reformatory, work farm, or other similar correctional institution' is not eligible to receive a Pell Grant. However, in 2015 ED used its authority under the Higher Education Act (HEA) to create the Second Chance Pell Experiment to determine if access to Pell Grants would increase the enrollment of incarcerated individuals in high-quality postsecondary correctional education programs. Under the experiment, participating institutions of higher education, in partnership with federal and/or state correctional institutions, award Pell Grants to students who are otherwise Pell-eligible except for being incarcerated in a federal or state institution. The experiment is expected to conclude in 2020."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria; James, Nathan
2019-05-20
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Federal Response to COVID-19: Department of Veterans Affairs [May 1, 2020]
From the Summary: "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a range of benefits to eligible veterans and their dependents. The department carries out its programs nationwide through three administrations and the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA). [1]The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is responsible for health care services and medical and prosthetic research programs. [2] The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is responsible for, among other things, providing disability compensation, pensions, and education assistance. [3] The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is responsible for maintaining national veterans cemeteries; providing grants to states for establishing, expanding, or improving state veterans cemeteries; and providing headstones and markers for the graves of eligible persons, among other things. With a vast integrated health care delivery system spread across the United States, the VHA is statutorily required to serve as a contingency backup to the Department of Defense (DOD) medical system during a national security emergency and to provide support to the National Disaster Medical System and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as necessary, in support of national emergencies. These functions are known as VA's 'Fourth Mission.' Since the onset of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Congress has passed a number of relief measures affecting the VA and its Fourth Mission."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Panangala, Sidath Viranga; Sussman, Jared S.; Dortch, Cassandria . . .
2020-05-01
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CARES Act Higher Education Provisions [Updated June 9, 2020]
From the Document: "President Donald J. Trump declared a U.S. national emergency on March 13, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) was enacted on March 27, 2020, to address income, health, and economic security in response to the national emergency. This In Focus provides brief descriptions of several higher education provisions included in the law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria; Fountain, Joselynn H.; Hegji, Alexandra . . .
2020-06-09
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Post-9/11 GI Bill: A Primer [Updated December 10, 2020]
From the Document: "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers several educational assistance programs, most notably the GI Bills, that provide funds to or on behalf of veterans and servicemembers and their family members to facilitate their enrollment in and pursuit of approved programs of education. The Post-9/11 GI Bill has represented more than 70% of total GI Bill participation and more than 80% of spending in each year since FY2013. In FY2021, the program is estimated to benefit over 700,000 individuals and expend almost $12 billion. [...] This report provides a detailed description of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The first section describes participant eligibility criteria. The second section indicates a participant's entitlement to benefits and the period during which the benefits must be used. The third section describes the eligible programs of education. The subsequent section explains the eligible benefit payments. The final sections illustrate key links to other programs administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and current data on obligations and participation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2020-12-10
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GI Bills Enacted Prior to 2008 and Related Veterans' Educational Assistance Programs: A Primer [October 6, 2017]
"The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), previously named the Veterans Administration, has been providing veterans educational assistance (GI Bill®) benefits since 1944. The benefits have been intended, at various times, to compensate for compulsory service, encourage voluntary service, avoid unemployment, provide equitable benefits to all who served, and promote military retention. In general, the benefits provide grant aid to eligible individuals enrolled in approved educational and training programs. Since three of the GI Bills have overlapping eligibility requirements and the United States is expected to wind down involvement in active conflicts, Congress may consider phasing out one or more of the overlapping programs. This report describes the GI Bills enacted prior to 2008. Although participation in some programs has ended or is declining, the programs' evolution and provisions inform current policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2017-10-06
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The Post-9/11 Veterans' Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Post-9/11 GI Bill): A Primer [September 13, 2017]
"The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), previously named the Veterans Administration, has been providing veterans educational assistance (GI Bill®) benefits since 1944. The benefits have been intended, at various times, to compensate for compulsory service, encourage voluntary service, prevent unemployment, provide equitable benefits to all who served, and promote military retention. In general, the benefits provide grant aid to eligible individuals enrolled in approved educational and training programs. The newest GI Bill was enacted on June 30, 2008, as the Post-9/11 Veterans' Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Post-9/11 GI Bill), Title V of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110-252). Although the VA still provides benefits under several older GI Bills, participation and spending for the Post-9/11 GI Bill has represented approximately 80% or more of total GI Bill participation and spending in each year since FY2013. In FY2018, the program is estimated to benefit almost 800,000 individuals and expend over $12 billion."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2017-09-13
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CARES Act Higher Education Provisions [Updated July 8, 2020]
From the Document: "President Donald J. Trump declared a U.S. national emergency on March 13, 2020, in response to the COVID19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) was enacted on March 27, 2020, to address income, health, and economic security in response to the national emergency. This In Focus provides brief descriptions of several higher education provisions included in the law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria; Fountain, Joselynn H.; Hegji, Alexandra . . .
2020-07-08
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Department of Veterans Affairs' Potential Role in Addressing the COVID-19 Outbreak [March 20, 2020]
From the Summary: "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a range of benefits to eligible veterans and their dependents. [...] Based on limited information from VA, this report provides an overview of VA's response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that is affecting communities throughout the United States. It also discusses recent congressional action as it pertains to the veterans' benefits and services, as well as the supplemental appropriations for the department."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Panangala, Sidath Viranga; Sussman, Jared S.; Dortch, Cassandria . . .
2020-03-20
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CARES Act Education Stabilization Fund: Background and Analysis [Updated August 6, 2020]
From the Introduction: "On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] outbreak a national emergency, beginning March 1, 2020.1 On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) was signed into law. Included in the act was the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF), which was created 'to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, domestically or internationally.' [...] This report begins with an overview of the appropriations available for the ESF and the required reservations of funds. It then discusses each of the emergency education relief funds. For the emergency education relief funds for which ED [U.S. Department of Education] has published grant amounts (i.e., GEER [Governor's Emergency Education Relief] Fund, ESSER [Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief] Fund, and HEERF [Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund]), ED's allocations have been included in this report. This is followed by an overview of the other provisions included in the ESF: assistance to non-public schools, continued payments to employees, definitions, and maintenance of effort (MOE) provisions. The last section of the report discusses reporting requirements included in the CARES Act that apply to amounts awarded through the emergency education relief funds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Skinner, Rebecca; Dortch, Cassandria; Fountain, Joselynn H. . . .
2020-08-06
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CARES Act Higher Education Provisions [April 7, 2020]
From the Document: "President Donald J. Trump declared a U.S. national emergency on March 13, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) was enacted on March 27, 2020, to address income, health, and economic security in response to the national emergency. This In Focus provides brief descriptions of several higher education provisions included in the law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria; Fountain, Joselynn H.; Hegji, Alexandra . . .
2020-04-07
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CARES Act Education Stabilization Fund: Background and Analysis [June 3, 2020]
From the Summary: "On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) was signed into law. Included in the act was the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF). The ESF is comprised of three emergency relief funds: (1) a Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, (2) an Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, and (3) a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). The ESF, administered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), has an appropriations level of $30.750 billion for FY2020. These funds are to remain available through September 30, 2021. From the total appropriation for the ESF, the Secretary of Education is required to reserve up to 0.5% for the outlying areas, 0.5% for the Bureau of Indian Education, and 1% to provide competitive grants to the states with the 'highest coronavirus burden' to support activities under the ESF. The Secretary is required to provide the remainder of the funds to the three emergency education relief funds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Skinner, Rebecca; Dortch, Cassandria; Fountain, Joselynn H. . . .
2020-06-03
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Heroes Act: Education-Related Provisions [August 26, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The House passed the Heroes Act (H.R. 6800) on May 15, 2020. The act is intended to continue supporting the nation's response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic throughout the federal government, including its response via several education-related programs. This report provides brief summaries of key provisions in the Heroes Act that would affect elementary, secondary, and higher education students and student loan borrowers. The report begins by describing supplemental funding the act would make available to educational providers and in support of broadband educational infrastructure. This is followed by sections describing amendments that would be made to CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act education-related provisions, and sections describing Heroes Act provisions that would provide relief to private and federal student loan borrowers. The report concludes with descriptions of bill provisions that would authorize new waivers and flexibilities pertaining to existing legislative requirements in the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended; the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins), as amended; and the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), as amended."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria; Skinner, Rebecca; Shohfi, Kyle D. . . .
2020-08-26
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Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Post-9/11 GI Bill): Primer and Issues [August 7, 2014]
"The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®)--enacted as Title V of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110-252) on June 30, 2008--is the newest GI Bill and went into effect on August 1, 2009. There were four main drivers for the Post-9/11 GI Bill: (1) providing parity of benefits for reservists and members of the regular Armed Forces, (2) ensuring comprehensive educational benefits, (3) meeting military recruiting goals, and (4) improving military retention through transferability of benefits. By FY2010, the program had the largest numbers of participants and the highest total obligations compared to the other GI Bills. The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides benefits to veterans and servicemembers who serve on active duty after September 10, 2001. Participants may be eligible for payments to cover tuition and fees, housing, books and supplies, tutorial and relocation assistance, and testing and certification fees. Individuals who serve on active duty for 36 months after September 10, 2001, may receive a tuition and fees benefit of up to the amount of in-state tuition and fees charged when enrolled in public institutions of higher learning (IHLs), or up to $19,198.31 when enrolled in private IHLs in academic year 2013-2014. Benefit payments vary depending on the participant's active duty status, length of qualifying active duty, rate of pursuit, and program of education. There are two mechanisms by which dependents of individuals with military service may be eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits may be available to the dependents of servicemembers who serve for at least 10 years. Also, the Post-9/11 GI Bill Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship Program may be available to the spouse and children of servicemembers who die while serving on active duty in the line of duty."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dortch, Cassandria
2014-08-07
