WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) applauded passage of new legislation that would provide the biggest expansion of college aid for military veterans in the past decade.  The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2017 (also known as the Forever G.I. Bill), which was cosponsored by Reed, was unanimously approved by the Senate this week and is on its way to the President’s desk.   

The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act will expand veterans education benefits and make much-needed updates for reservists, Purple Heart recipients, veterans who face school closures while enrolled, and surviving family members, and will increase resources and authority for educational assistance to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs, computer programming and career technical training.

“The Forever G.I. Bill is a win for our veterans and our economy.  It will help more veterans transition from active duty to the workforce and widen the window of opportunity for veterans to use their hard-earned benefits,” said Senator Reed, a former Army Ranger and the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee who helped pass the 21st Century G.I. Bill in 2008.  “The original G.I. Bill was designed to help veterans get an education and support their families, and it’s critical that we continue to keep that commitment to future generations.  This bipartisan bill will help veterans find good jobs and help our nation close the skills gap.”

The Forever G.I. Bill builds on the 21st Century G.I. Bill of 2008 and eliminates the arbitrary 15-year period within which a veteran is required to use their G.I. Bill benefits, instead allowing them to use their benefits at any time in their professional career.  The bill would restore G.I. Bill benefits to veterans impacted by school closures since 2015 and allocate more funds for college degree programs in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

The education benefits provided by the bill’s passage would take effect for enlistees who begin using their G.I. Bill benefits next year.  For students attending private universities, the additional benefits to members of the Guard and Reserve could mean $2,300 a year more in tuition than they are receiving now, as well as a bigger housing allowance. 

SUMMARY: The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act:

  • Allows veterans who are studying science, technology, engineering or math additional benefits if their field of study requires additional credits.
  • Permits members of the National Guard and Reserve who are training, deployed, or undergoing certain medical treatment related to their service to accrue benefits like active duty service members.
  • Allows veterans to use education benefits to pay for education through area career and technical schools and postsecondary vocational institutions.
  • Extends the Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program, which will now also provide education benefits to survivors of those who died in the line of duty.
  • Transfers benefits to a dependent if a service member dies before being able to use them.
  • Restores benefits to student veterans who received credits or training from certain educational institutions that subsequently close.
  • Reinstates the Reserve Educational Assistance Program for Reservists.
  • Prorates licensing and certification benefits, rather than charging veterans a month's worth of benefits.
  • Extends full education benefits to recipients of the Purple Heart.
  • Provides more on-campus educational and vocational counseling services for veterans.

Now that the bill has been approved by both the House and the Senate, it will be sent to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.