Bill Overview
Title: Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program Act
Description: This bill establishes a program to provide financial assistance to members of the District of Columbia National Guard who are pursuing their first undergraduate, masters, doctoral, vocational, or technical degrees.
Sponsors: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: Members of the District of Columbia National Guard pursuing higher education
Estimated Size: 5000
- The bill provides financial assistance specifically for educational purposes.
- It targets members of the District of Columbia National Guard, as they are the ones who can apply for this aid.
- The program is limited to those pursuing their first undergraduate, master's, doctoral, vocational, or technical degrees.
- The potential impact is limited to the geographical area of Washington D.C. and specifically to its National Guard members.
Reasoning
- The program has a specific target group, which is members of the DC National Guard pursuing higher education.
- The program's budget means that not everyone pursuing education will benefit unless they meet the program criteria.
- The target population size, as per the details, is relatively small (around 5000 individuals), allowing us to assume some personal variation in how the policy impacts individuals.
- The simulation should include individuals within this specific group or those who are not the target but may have opinions or misconceptions about applyin.
Simulated Interviews
National Guard Member (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's a great opportunity for us in the National Guard to further our education. This support will relieve some financial burden.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
National Guard Officer (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have been waiting for something like this. Balancing duty and education without financial support is tough.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Part-time Security Guard (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Provides a clear pathway to improve my skills without racking up debt.
- Joining such a program would enhance my future career prospects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
National Guard Member (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It is a well-deserved opportunity for those of us serving in the National Guard.
- Really happy to see support being officially provided.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Barista (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support programs that help people further their education, even though this one doesn't target people like me directly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
National Guard Veteran (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I would have loved to have this support when I was in college, but it's great for younger Guard members now.
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 |
National Guard Member (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing the support is there gives me more confidence to consider returning to school.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
College Student (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is good but doesn't benefit civilian students like myself.
- I wish there were broader initiatives too.
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 |
National Guard Member (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy lifts a huge financial weight and allows me to save further for my child's future.
- I see this having long-lasting benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Financial Advisor (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these are crucial for financial planning and easing student debt.
- They give younger people tools to strategically improve their financial futures.
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 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 2: $10250000 (Low: $8200000, High: $12300000)
Year 3: $10500000 (Low: $8400000, High: $12600000)
Year 5: $11000000 (Low: $8800000, High: $13200000)
Year 10: $12000000 (Low: $9600000, High: $14400000)
Year 100: $20000000 (Low: $16000000, High: $24000000)
Key Considerations
- The size of the D.C. National Guard and the proportion likely to participate.
- Cost variability based on educational levels pursued (undergraduate to doctoral).
- Potential program uptake as educational benefits are crucial incentives for National Guard retention.