Bill Overview
Title: Sgt. Wolf Kyle Weninger Veterans Education Fairness Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance for individuals, including officers, who are discharged or released from active duty with a sole survivorship discharge following at least 30 continuous days on qualifying active duty after September 10, 2001.
Sponsors: Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]
Target Audience
Population: Veterans with sole survivorship discharge post-9/11
Estimated Size: 2000
- The bill provides Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance to a specific group of veterans.
- This affects veterans discharged with a sole survivorship discharge status.
- It includes those who served at least 30 continuous days on qualifying active duty after September 10, 2001.
- There are about 2 million eligible veterans for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and within this group, only a smaller segment would have a sole survivorship discharge.
- Sole survivorship discharges are rare, making this a small subset of the veteran population for this time period.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy is estimated to be around 2,000 individuals, as it caters to a very specific group of veterans who were discharged under sole survivorship conditions after 9/11.
- The budget allows for approximately $30,000 per estimated individual in the first year, meaning the policy can significantly contribute to their education costs.
- While the budget over 10 years is much larger, it will need to account for the ongoing education-related needs over time.
- Consideration must be given to the fact that many veterans have life circumstances beyond education affecting their wellbeing, but education funding typically results in medium to positive indirect benefits.
- Including other perspectives such as educational administrators and veterans without sole survivorship discharge can provide a comprehensive understanding of the policy impact.
Simulated Interviews
unemployed (California)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Securing educational funding would allow me to finally pursue a degree in engineering, which I've always wanted.
- I feel more hopeful about my future knowing I could obtain assistance for education.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
administrative assistant (Texas)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could give me a chance to earn a degree, improving my job prospects and providing better for my children.
- I want to set a good example for my kids by going to college.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
freelance writer (New York)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having access to further education without the debt burden could help me hone my skills in writing.
- It's important to have such support systems for veterans, particularly those with unique service circumstances.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
construction worker (Florida)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The opportunity this bill provides could help me pursue vocational training and better manage my PTSD through education and ultimately better jobs.
- This could be a pathway out of my financial struggles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
nurse (Washington)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This assistance could help me complete my BSN and continue advancing my career in healthcare.
- It would alleviate the financial pressure of balancing work, school, and family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
entrepreneur (Illinois)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I might not use an educational benefit, it's crucial for my fellow veterans, and maybe I could see its use in improving certain business skills.
- It might create networking opportunities with other veterans pursuing education.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
retired (Maine)
Age: 66 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- At my age, I may not personally take advantage of education benefits, but it's reassuring that future generations will have this support.
- This policy ensures that veterans like myself are not forgotten.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
student (Alabama)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This solidifies my current educational plans and reduces the pressure of taking student loans.
- I am grateful for additional educational opportunities made possible with this support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
teacher (Oregon)
Age: 54 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I recommend utilizing these benefits to my students and colleagues who are veterans, as education is a lifelong journey.
- Although I'm settled in my career, this policy opens doors for others.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
high school graduate (Virginia)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 30.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing there's such support for education is comforting as I determine my future path.
- It's encouraging to know that veterans' families also get consideration for education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $60000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $65000000)
Year 2: $60000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $65000000)
Year 3: $60000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $65000000)
Year 5: $60000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $65000000)
Year 10: $60000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $65000000)
Year 100: $60000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $65000000)
Key Considerations
- The relatively small number of eligible veterans for this bill creates a low overall fiscal impact.
- Potential building of human capital among veterans could have long-term economic benefits.
- The bill might set precedence for further expansions of eligibility, altering the fiscal landscape.