H.R. 10260: Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act of 2026

This bill would change how certain veterans’ education benefits work for people who choose apprenticeships or other on-the-job training instead of a traditional college program.

What it changes

• Raises housing-style payments for some apprenticeship trainees under veterans education programs so they are tied to the military housing allowance for an E-5 with dependents in the relevant area, rather than a lower monthly formula now used in those cases.
• Makes related payment rules more favorable for apprenticeship and on-the-job training participants under three different veterans education programs:
  • Post-9/11 education assistance
  • All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program
  • Educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve
• Removes certain minimum attendance requirements for apprenticeship or on-the-job training participants in the construction industry (as defined by jobs classified in Sector 23 of the North American Industry Classification System). In practical terms, this means those trainees would not be subject to some monthly attendance-related limits that otherwise affect benefit payments.

Who would be affected

• Veterans and reservists using GI Bill-type benefits for apprenticeships or on-the-job training
• Employers that offer apprenticeship programs, especially in construction
• Agencies that administer veterans education benefits

Overall effect

The bill is designed to make apprenticeship and on-the-job training a more financially viable option for eligible service members and veterans by increasing or simplifying benefit payments in those programs. It does not create a new benefit program; it changes the rules inside existing veterans education programs.

Relevant Companies

None found