Sponsors (35)
The bill expands and raises pay protections for veterans' and students' work‑study placements and improves administrative transparency, but it increases costs and administrative burdens for host agencies that could reduce available positions.
Veterans, service members, and student participants will have expanded work‑study opportunities with paid positions at state and local agencies and nonprofits, increasing access to employment and income during study or training.
Veterans and student participants will be paid at least the highest applicable minimum (federal GS/FWS, state, or local), raising wages in higher‑wage areas and protecting participant compensation.
Veterans, host supervisors, and state/local agencies will see streamlined payroll and fewer payment delays due to required electronic timesheets and supervisor approval processes.
State governments, nonprofits, and host agencies may face higher program costs from the required wage floors, which could reduce the number of paid positions offered if budgets are fixed.
Small nonprofits and local agencies may incur administrative and IT expenses to implement electronic timesheets and reporting, placing burdens on organizations with limited budgets.
State governments and nonprofits unfamiliar with federal GS/FWS pay definitions may face payroll complexity and higher payroll liability risks when applying the stricter wage floor.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Expands VA Work‑Study placements to state/local agencies and nonprofits; sets pay at the highest of federal GS/FWS, state, or local minimums; requires e‑timesheets and annual public reporting.
Introduced November 10, 2025 by April McClain Delaney · Last progress November 10, 2025
Expands the VA Work‑Study program so participants can work for State or local government agencies or nonprofit organizations that benefit veterans or service members. Raises the wage floor for work‑study pay by requiring the VA to use the highest of three pay scales (federal GS/FWS minimums, the State minimum wage where work is performed, or the local minimum wage), requires electronic timekeeping and supervisor approval, and mandates annual public reporting of participant counts, demographics, activities, wages, hours, and participating schools. These changes apply to work‑study allowance payments made on or after January 1, 2028, and aim to broaden placement options, ensure higher and locally appropriate pay, improve recordkeeping, and increase transparency about program participation and pay.