Steube Introduces Legislation to Modernize the GI Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced the Modern GI Bill Act, which allows veterans who are entitled to Post-9/11 educational assistance through the GI Bill to use eligible funds to repay federal student loans incurred prior to military service.
“When I joined the Army after the attacks on September 11, 2001, I had significant student loan debt from law school, which took me over 15 years to pay off. During my time in the military, I served with many others who had previously received an education and took out loans to pay for it,” said Congressman Steube following the introduction of the bill.
“For generations, the GI Bill has offered a pathway to education for our nation’s veterans, but as a new generation of men and women answer the call to service, this bill needs to be modernized to meet their educational and financial needs, which often include student loans,” explained Steube. “Servicemembers, like myself, who joined after they obtained their education, cannot take advantage of the GI Bill, so we should give those veterans the same amount of credit toward the student loans they incurred prior to their military service.”
The bill includes limitations to control costs, including prohibiting the transfer of benefits, setting a maximum amount to be spent per veteran per year, and setting a time limit on the entitlement.
“Passing this bill will help ease the financial burden facing many of our nation’s veterans. It will also create an incentive for those considering service who have previously incurred student loan debt,” continued Steube. “As our nation’s forces modernize, we must modernize the GI Bill to ensure we are keeping up our end of the bargain and giving our veterans the tools, they need to succeed.”
Congressman Steube is joined by Representatives TJ Cox (D-Calif.) and Max Rose (D-NY) in the introduction of this bipartisan legislation.
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