Bill Overview
Title: Veterans Eligible to Transfer School (VETS) Credit Act
Description: This act addresses eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance for individuals who are transferring credits due to the closure or disapproval of a program of education. Currently, an individual who transfers fewer than 12 credits from a program of education that is closed or disapproved must be deemed to have not received such credits, and the period for which the entitlement is not charged must be the entire period of the individual's enrollment in the program. Under the act, the VA must require an individual to certify in writing the transfer of fewer than 12 credits from a program of education that is closed or disapproved. The VA must accept such a certification as proof that the individual is transferring fewer than 12 credits. The VA must provide a certificate of eligibility (to demonstrate proof of full educational assistance entitlement) to individuals who make the certification and acknowledge that if 12 or more credits are transferred (1) they may not be deemed to be someone who did not receive such credits, and (2) the VA must rescind the certificate of eligibility in such cases. The VA must notify individuals who are eligible to make such a certification and receive a certificate of eligibility. The act also removes the requirement that an individual transferring a Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement must specify the period for which the transfer must be effective for each dependent who is designated to receive the transfer.
Sponsors: Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals who are veterans enrolled in educational programs using VA assistance globally that may close or get disapproved
Estimated Size: 50000
- The bill focuses on educational benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- It applies specifically to veterans enrolled in educational programs subject to closure or disapproval.
- Given its focus, the target population includes primarily U.S. veterans utilizing VA educational benefits.
- There are approximately 19 million veterans in the U.S., and many use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for education.
- Not every veteran will be enrolled in an affected program (closed/disapproved), but a significant number may encounter program closures annually.
- Assuming a portion of those using educational benefits may face program closure, this legislation may affect tens of thousands of veterans.
Reasoning
- This policy mainly affects U.S. veterans who are using their VA educational benefits and might face program closures, applying particularly to those transferring fewer than 12 credits.
- The policy intends to help veterans retain their educational benefits without penalty due to circumstances like program closure or disapproval.
- Given the constraints and the relatively narrow target population (veterans using VA benefits affected by closures), the interviews will reflect diverse backgrounds but share common characteristics pertinent to the policy.
- The population is primarily U.S. based, and we need to consider geographic distribution, type of educational programs most susceptible to closure, and veterans' demographics (varying from recent graduates to mid-career transitioners) in evaluating the policy's impact.
Simulated Interviews
Student (San Antonio, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new policy seems beneficial as it addresses the obstacles veterans face due to program closures.
- It's good that the VA recognizes the transfer of fewer credits, making sure credits won’t go to waste.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Healthcare administration student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I was worried about losing my benefits due to program closure. This policy reassures me that my education can continue without loss.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Engineering student (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy wouldn't affect me directly, but it's a necessary protection for others who aren't as secure in their program's future.
- Good move by the VA to look out for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Culinary arts student (New York, NY)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Thankful for this policy—it ensures I can continue my education without losing benefits.
- Program closures happen, and it's comforting to know the system supports transitions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Paralegal studies (Miami, FL)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I haven't experienced a closure yet, but this policy gives peace of mind knowing my benefits are safeguarded.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Business owner and adjunct professor (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As an advisor, I see students worry often about their credits being lost. This policy helps ease their concerns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Design student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've faced bureaucratic challenges before, and it's relieving to see the VA removing roadblocks to education.
- This policy directly helps me reset and move forward.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Management student (Denver, CO)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We've heard unsettling news about some programs, so knowing this policy exists is a comfort even if I don't need it yet.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Public health major (Charlotte, NC)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Even though I haven't been directly impacted yet, seeing my friends benefit from this policy shows the VA's commitment to veterans' education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Human resources student (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 41 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's reassuring that this policy shields my educational trajectory from unforeseen institutional setbacks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $51000000 (Low: $35700000, High: $71400000)
Year 3: $52020000 (Low: $36780000, High: $73480000)
Year 5: $53161000 (Low: $37287600, High: $74425400)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Educational entitlement extension could result in immediate and post-service educational participation increases.
- The policy is highly reliant on efficient administrational execution by the VA to manage certification and eligibility notifications.
- Long-term economic benefits through improved veteran education and workforce integration should be weighed against short-term infrastructural costs.