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Amends section 3301(1) of title 38 to revise subparagraph (B) for reserve components service and to replace subparagraph (C) clauses to add National Guard full-time duty and National Guard active duty (as defined in title 32).
Directs that section 3321(a) shall apply to educational assistance entitlement acquired as a result of the amendments to section 3301(1) as if those amendments had been enacted immediately after the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–252).
Expands who in the National Guard and reserve components can qualify for Post‑9/11 educational benefits by adding certain full‑time National Guard duty and certain active‑duty service as qualifying service. The change applies to service performed on or after September 11, 2001 and becomes effective one year after enactment; existing GI Bill time‑limit rules apply to these newly recognized entitlements as if the eligibility change had been in effect immediately after the Post‑9/11 program began.
Amends 38 U.S.C. 3301(1)(B) for members of the reserve components to specify qualifying service types: (i) service on active duty (per 10 U.S.C. 101(d)), inactive-duty training (per 10 U.S.C. 101(d)), or annual training duty; and (ii) service on active duty under specified calls or orders under listed sections of title 10 and section 3713 of title 14, but excluding inactive-duty training and annual training duty.
Amends 38 U.S.C. 3301(1)(C) by changing punctuation in clause (i) and replacing clause (ii) with two new clauses that explicitly include: (ii) service in the National Guard when performing full-time National Guard duty (as defined in 32 U.S.C. 101); and (iii) service in the National Guard when performing active duty (as defined in 32 U.S.C. 101).
The amendments made by subsection (a) take effect one year after the date of enactment of this Act.
The amendments made by subsection (a) apply with respect to service performed on or after September 11, 2001.
Section 3321(a) of title 38 shall apply to any entitlement to educational assistance acquired because of these amendments as if the amendments had been enacted immediately after the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–252).
Who is affected and how:
National Guard and reserve component members (current and former): Members who performed the specified kinds of full‑time National Guard duty or certain active duty that previously did not qualify for Post‑9/11 benefits will become eligible for those education benefits. This may increase the number of people who can enroll in VA education programs, transfer entitlement, or receive retroactive payments.
Veterans and dependents: Veterans whose service now counts may regain or obtain Post‑9/11 entitlement that can be used for tuition, housing allowances, and other allowable education benefits; dependents previously relying on transfers of entitlement may see changed eligibility windows.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): VA must update eligibility rules, claims processing, benefit-accounting systems, outreach materials, and appeals processes to accept and adjudicate claims based on the new qualifying service categories and retroactive application.
Department of Defense (DoD) and State National Guard bureaux: Must provide accurate certifications and service verifications for periods now treated as qualifying service. State Guard administrations may need to locate and certify older service records.
Higher education institutions and training providers: Schools that accept GI Bill payments may receive additional students whose entitlement is newly recognized; they may see changes in enrollment timing and payment processing.
Budgetary/financial effects: The section does not appropriate funds but could increase Program outlays if more service counts as qualifying service and more beneficiaries draw Post‑9/11 benefits or seek retroactive payments. The magnitude depends on how many previously excluded service periods are reclassified and how many claimants pursue benefits.
Practical effects and timeline: Because the change is effective one year after enactment but applies to service back to Sept 11, 2001, many eligible individuals may file claims at VA for retroactive recognition. VA and DoD will face a significant near‑term administrative workload to implement the change, process claims, and update guidance and IT systems.
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Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced February 18, 2025 by Mike Levin · Last progress February 18, 2025
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.