Bill Overview
Title: Parity for Online Student Veterans Act
Description: This bill increases the monthly housing stipend available under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for individuals who pursue programs of education solely through distance learning on more than a half-time basis.
Sponsors: Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Target Audience
Population: Student veterans using Post-9/11 benefits for distance learning
Estimated Size: 200000
- The Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program benefits veterans who served after September 11, 2001.
- A significant portion of educational program recipients opt for distance or online learning due to flexibility or location constraints.
- Online learners typically receive a reduced housing stipend compared to those in traditional on-campus programs.
- This bill aims to equalize benefits irrespective of the mode of study (online vs on-campus), impacting those who opt for more than half-time distance learning.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy is veterans who are engaging in more than half-time online education and currently receive a reduced housing stipend compared to their on-campus counterparts.
- The policy aims to level the playing field by increasing the housing stipend for online learners, matching it to the level of on-campus students' benefits.
- The main benefit is expected in areas with high housing costs or veterans who live far from on-campus facilities.
- The population estimate of 200,000 suggests these beneficiaries are a sizable group but are still a specialized fraction of veterans using educational benefits.
- Within a budget constraint, the policy can potentially improve wellbeing through reduced financial stress related to housing.
- Likely, the policy's effects will vary depending on the veteran's current financial situation, cost of living, and whether they can utilize other benefits or support networks.
Simulated Interviews
Student Veteran (Austin, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy would ease financial pressures on my family.
- The increased housing stipend allows us to consider relocating closer to campus for hybrid opportunities.
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 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Student Veteran (Des Moines, IA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This stipend increase will help deal with housing costs.
- I can focus more on my studies without worrying about part-time work.
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 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Part-time Worker (San Diego, CA)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- San Diego's high cost of living makes this change necessary.
- The increase in stipend is crucial, it relieves some financial burden.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Student Veteran (Charlotte, NC)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This relief in housing costs gives me more time to assist my parents.
- It helps me concentrate on getting my degree without being overstretched financially.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Entrepreneur (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The extra stipend isn't crucial for me, but it does provide some comfort.
- It makes pursuing education later in life more attractive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Teaching Assistant (Seattle, WA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any financial aid helps, especially in Seattle's housing market.
- This policy alleviates a lot of stress regarding rent.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Freelancer (New York, NY)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Living in New York is costly; this policy covers more housing expenses.
- This might allow me to reduce freelance workload and focus on my studies.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
IT Specialist (Dallas, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The stipend increase encourages me to continue in the Guard longer.
- This incentivizes completing my certification faster to improve job prospects.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Student and Volunteer (Portland, OR)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The housing stipend change allows me to live independently if needed.
- It raises my ability to focus on my degree without financial compromise.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Unemployed (Chicago, IL)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy makes a huge impact by freeing up resources for my start-up.
- It helps manage the tight budget I have while I'm not employed.
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 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 2: $1050000000 (Low: $840000000, High: $1260000000)
Year 3: $1100000000 (Low: $880000000, High: $1320000000)
Year 5: $1200000000 (Low: $960000000, High: $1440000000)
Year 10: $1400000000 (Low: $1120000000, High: $1680000000)
Year 100: $1600000000 (Low: $1280000000, High: $1920000000)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring veterans receive equitable educational benefits is socially important and aligns with government commitments to support veterans.
- Budgeting for this increased expense requires careful balancing against other government priorities.
- The program aims to remove disparities between online and on-campus student veterans, potentially impacting demand for online programs.