Press Release
January 17, 2008
Susan Davis's Veterans Education Bill Gets Committee Hearing
Bill would require colleges and universities to refund tuition of activated servicemembers
WASHINGTON – The House Committee on Veterans Affairs heard testimony on an education bill for veterans, including a provision adopted from a bill sponsored by Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-CA). The Veterans Education Tuition Support Act (H.R. 2910), introduced by Davis in July, would require colleges and universities to refund the tuition of a servicemember who is activated while in school and guarantee them readmission when they return.
“The men and women in our military already make so many sacrifices defending this nation,” said Rep Davis, chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee. “Their college educations should not be yet another sacrifice. This legislation compliments the laws already passed protecting employment to also cover educational status. I appreciate the Committee giving my bill the opportunity to be discussed.”
Davis’s bill was debated as part of a committee review of Montgomery GI Bill Legislation. Patrick Campbell of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America testified before the committee and provided examples of colleges and universities failing to accommodate student reservists.
Most colleges and universities refund tuition and fees to students when the activation occurs during the academic calendar. However, instances have occurred when a servicemember has not been reimbursed.
The Veterans Education Tuition Support Act amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to require colleges and universities to refund servicemembers’ tuition and fees for any unearned credit for the semester or quarter when they are activated.
The legislation also requires colleges and universities to accommodate students when they return and give them identical academic and educational standing.
It applies a 6-percent interest rate cap to student loans of servicemembers, and the bill allows 13 months to begin paying off student loans after a servicemember returns home.
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion endorsed H.R. 2910 during the hearing.
A Senate version was introduced by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH).