Rep. Chu Introduces Veterans Education Counseling Act

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the GI Bill educational benefits counseling process. The Veterans Education Counseling Act, which is co-sponsored by Representatives Mark Takano (D-CA), Paul Cook (R-CA) and Jeff Denham (R-CA), makes GI Bill benefits more transparent by directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to clearly differentiate between Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Chapter 36 Educational Counseling.

"The benefits that veterans receive for their service can never repay the sacrifices they make. I introduced the Veterans Education Counseling Act to ensure that veterans are informed about and have access to the educational benefits they have earned. Explaining the educational counseling program before veterans apply for benefits and moving the application process online will help veterans make the right choice for their lives and their future," said Congresswoman Chu.

Right now, the Educational Counseling program is underutilized, and many veterans applying for benefits are not aware that they are eligible for educational counseling. The Veterans Education Counseling Act will ensure that every veteran is aware of these benefits, and updates the counseling process, allowing for online enrollment in educational counseling through the eBenefits portal.

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