Susan Davis Introduces Legislation Providing Tuition Relief For Servicemembers

Press Release

SUSAN DAVIS INTRODUCES LEGISLATION PROVIDING TUITION RELIEF FOR SERVICEMEMBERS

Servicemembers who are activated while attending college will not have to worry about losing their tuition under a bill introduced by Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-CA). The Veterans Education Tuition Support Act (H.R. 2910) would require colleges and universities to refund tuition of a servicemember is activated while in school.

"The men and women in our military already make so many sacrifices defending this nation," said Rep. Susan Davis, chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee. "Their college educations should not be yet another sacrifice. I believe it is important to put these protections into law. Any servicemember who volunteers for military service deserves certain rights. This legislation compliments the laws already passed protecting employment to also cover educational status."

Most colleges and universities refund tuition and fees to students when the activation occurs during the academic calendar. However, instances have occurred when a servicemember has not been reimbursed.

Thousands of military reservists have been activated to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan directly from their college campuses. Unfortunately, students who serve in the military face unique hardships when called upon to defend the United States.

Instances exist when a servicemember has received failing grades after leaving for service in the middle of the quarter or semester - even after notifying school administration. In one case, a university dismissed a student while he was serving in Iraq.

The Veterans Education Tuition Support Act amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to require colleges and universities to refund servicemembers' tuition and fees for any unearned credit for the semester or quarter when they are activated.

The legislation also requires colleges and universities to accommodate students when they return and give them identical academic and educational standing.

It applies a 6-percent interest rate cap to student loans of servicemembers, and the bill allows 13 months to begin paying off student loans after a servicemember returns home.
A Senate version was introduced by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). H.R. 2910 has been referred the Veterans Committee. The legislation was written from the recommendations made by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America based on the experiences of the servicemembers who belong to the group.

Source