Search
|
McKinley Fights for Veterans Education
04/14/16Washington, D.C. —Today, Congressman McKinley, P.E. (WV-01) testified before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity to promote his G.I. Bill STEM Extension Act (H.R. 748). This legislation will provide student veterans an extra nine months of benefits and resources if they pursue a degree in science, technology, education, or math (STEM).
In his remarks, McKinley stated, “The rationale behind this bill is twofold; we know there is a shortage of STEM graduates in this country and we’ve also heard from our veterans how difficult it is for them to make the transition from a military environment into an academic setting…As a result we put this bill together to address both issues.”
McKinley added, “We believe this legislation creates a pathway to graduate an additional 5,000 professionals into a STEM program to help grow America.”
Full remarks of the Congressman’s testimony can be seen here.
Background on H.R. 748, The G.I. Bill STEM Extension Act
This bill gives students who use the Post-9/11 GI Bill the ability to access an additional nine months of benefits if they pursue a degree in one of the STEM fields. This legislation:
· Allows student veterans to take on additional coursework in a STEM field without taking on additional debt.
· Will help address the shortage of STEM graduates in America.
· Allows veterans flexibility to pursue degree programs that require more than 4 years of study.