Bill Overview
Title: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update the payment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow for electronic fund transfer of educational assistance, administered by the Secretary, to a foreign institution of higher education.
Description: This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to update its payment system to allow for electronic fund transfer of VA educational assistance to a foreign institution of higher education that provides an approved course of education to eligible recipients and does not have an employer identification number or an account with a domestic bank.
Sponsors: Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11]
Target Audience
Population: Veterans using VA educational assistance at foreign institutions without domestic banking
Estimated Size: 20000
- The primary group impacted are veterans who are using educational assistance benefits provided by the VA to study abroad.
- There are approximately 19 million veterans in the United States as of the latest estimates.
- Not all veterans are eligible for educational assistance, only those who qualify under specific programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
- Of those eligible for educational assistance, only a subset will choose to study at foreign institutions.
- The number of veterans currently studying abroad is likely smaller, particularly at institutions without employer identification numbers or domestic bank accounts.
Reasoning
- The policy affects a specific subgroup: veterans using VA benefits to study at foreign institutions that lack certain banking facilities.
- The target population, given the policy's specifications, is a very small fraction of the total veterans population.
- The budget constraints imply that the number of beneficiaries will be relatively limited compared to the total number eligible for educational benefits.
- We need to consider how electronic fund transfer systems can impact the wellbeing of veterans, especially those who face barriers in accessing funds due to banking issues.
- Self-reported wellbeing is evaluated based on the ease of accessing educational funds and the potential stressors related to financial logistics abroad.
- The policy will primarily impact those currently experiencing difficulties with banking for educational assistance. For others, the wellbeing impact may be negligible.
Simulated Interviews
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The current system makes it frustrating to receive my education funds efficiently.
- Frequent delays in fund transfers affect my ability to focus on studies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Veterans Affairs Outreach Coordinator (Austin, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It would definitely ease the administrative burden on veterans studying abroad.
- Expect this to increase satisfaction amongst veterans utilizing these benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Freelance Writer (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy sounds like it would simplify access to my education funds.
- This is a logistical headache I’m concerned about addressing before enrolling.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired Veteran (Seattle, WA)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change is overdue and will make life easier for many international students from the VA.
- I experienced significant frustrations with fund availability when I was a student.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
IT Specialist (Miami, FL)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This wouldn't have affected me, but it's good for those who need it.
- Having systems that work for everyone reflects efficiency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
MBA Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Concerns about financial logistics are a major part of my decision-making process.
- Simplifying fund transfer as described would remove significant stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Veterans Benefit Advisor (Boston, MA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Such improvements to the VA's system would lead to overall better service provision.
- Veterans are often deterred by financial hurdles when considering international education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Operations Manager (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see this policy impacting me directly.
- It seems beneficial for those who need to address financial hurdles abroad.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Law Student (Denver, CO)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The current process is opaque and frustrating.
- This policy would possibly streamline a taxing bureaucratic process.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Research Scientist (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I faced numerous issues with timely funding in the past, this would have made a big difference.
- It's crucial for career and education continuity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $3000000)
Year 3: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $3000000)
Year 5: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $3000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The technological and logistical challenges of setting up fund transfers to foreign institutions without U.S. banking links.
- Ensuring compliance with international banking standards and regulations.
- Potential benefits to veterans seeking unique educational opportunities abroad.
- Potential administrative challenges for VA staff dealing with international entities.