HR-5278 : Still Just a Bill


GI Bill Planning Act of 2019

This bill extends or removes specified deadlines for certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits.

Specifically, the bill updates the Montgomery GI Bill program by extending the period of time under which an election must be made for entitlement to educational assistance under the program. The bill phases the program out on September 30, 2029.

The bill also removes a deadline that prevents certain veterans from receiving in-state tuition, regardless of their state of residence, using VA education benefits at public institutions of higher education. Currently, a veteran who is discharged or released after at least 90 days of active service must be within three years of their discharge from active duty to receive in-state tuition (regardless of their state of residence).

The VA must post on a public VA website a database explaining any requirements established by a public institution of higher learning for an individual to be charged in-state tuition.

The VA must disapprove a course of education at a public institution of higher education that does not provide the VA with an explanation of the requirements (or a timely update of such requirements) for an individual to be charged in-state tuition.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2019-12-19CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.House committee actions
2019-12-03IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2019-12-03IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2019-12-03IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Armed Forces and National Security
Related Subjects
  • Government information and archives
  • Higher education
  • Military personnel and dependents
  • Student aid and college costs
  • Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Related Geographic Entities
Related Organizations

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