H.R. 5603 · 117th Congress · House

Protections for Student Veterans Act

In Congress· Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced
Oct 15, 21
Passed House
Nov 16, 21
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

Protections for Student Veterans Act

This bill authorizes service members who are utilizing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance benefits to withdraw or take a leave of absence after they receive orders for active service, inactive-duty training, or state active duty and addresses matters related to VA educational assistance for flight training.

Institutions of higher education are prohibited from taking adverse actions (e.g., assigning a failing grade) against such service members for withdrawing or taking a leave of absence.

The bill requires institutions of higher education to refund all tuition and fees (including for housing) for the academic term for which the service member withdraws.

In situations where the service member takes a leave of absence, the institution of higher education must assign a grade of incomplete for the applicable term and permit the member to complete the academic term after the period of service.

The bill adjusts requirements related to utilizing VA educational assistance for flight training purposes, including by removing the requirement that an individual must possess a valid private pilot certificate and meet certain medical requirements to utilize such assistance.

Individuals enrolled in a program of education at an institution of higher learning in which flight training is required may elect to receive accelerated payments of tuition and fees if they also elect to receive educational counseling. The bill also specifies the calculation and determination of such fees, as well as the calculation of available entitlement in cases of accelerated payments.

Previous Versions

00Oct 15, 2021

Protections for Student Veterans Act

This bill authorizes service members who are utilizing Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance benefits to withdraw or take a leave of absence after they receive orders for active service, inactive-duty training, or state active duty.

Institutions of higher education are prohibited from taking adverse actions against such service members for withdrawing or taking a leave of absence, including

  • assigning a failing grade,
  • reducing the member's grade point average,
  • characterizing any absence as unexcused, or
  • assessing financial penalties.

The bill requires institutions of higher education to refund all tuition and fees (including for housing) for the academic term for which the service member withdraws.

In situations where the service member takes a leave of absence, the institution of higher education must assign a grade of incomplete for the applicable term and permit the member to complete the academic term after the period of service.

Action Timeline

14
  1. NOV 17, 2021IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

  2. NOV 16, 2021Floor

    Mr

    Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  3. NOV 16, 2021Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules

    (consideration: CR H6283-6286)

    6283Yea
    6286Nay
    0NV
  4. NOV 16, 2021Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5603.

  5. NOV 16, 2021Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6283-6284)

    6283Yea
    6284Nay
    0NV
  6. NOV 16, 2021Floor

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6283-6284)

    6283Yea
    6284Nay
    0NV
  7. NOV 16, 2021Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. NOV 04, 2021Committee

    Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Discharged.

  9. NOV 04, 2021Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  10. NOV 04, 2021Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  11. OCT 25, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

  12. OCT 15, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  13. OCT 15, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  14. OCT 15, 2021IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Committees

5

Veterans' Affairs Committee

ssva00

Referred: Nov 17, 2021

Active

Veterans' Affairs Committee

hsvr00

Referred: Nov 4, 2021

Active

Economic Opportunity Subcommittee

hsvr10

Referred: Nov 4, 2021

Active

Economic Opportunity Subcommittee

hsvr10

Referred: Oct 25, 2021

Active

Veterans' Affairs Committee

hsvr00

Referred: Oct 15, 2021

Active