H.R. 10551: Public Service Educational Assistance Act

The bill would direct the Secretary of Education to create a new federal program called the Public Service Educational Assistance Program. The program would provide educational assistance to the dependents of certain public service employees who have completed at least 20 years of public service.

Who would qualify

The employee must be a public service employee, meaning a full-time worker in one of these categories:

• A first responder
• An educator or teacher
• A social worker

The bill defines first responders broadly to include law enforcement officers, firefighters, prosecutors or public defenders, 911 operators and fire dispatchers, emergency medical services workers, certain FEMA employees, certain state/local/tribal emergency management workers, and Department of Energy nuclear courier or emergency response team members.

What assistance would be provided

Eligible dependents could receive aid that covers the cost of tuition, fees, and books at an eligible postsecondary institution. The aid could be used at:

• A public college or university, or
• A public education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential

The assistance could be provided for up to 4 academic years.

Other rules

• The benefit could be used at the same time as other federal student aid, including grants and loans.
• The aid would not count as wages or compensation for retirement or other employment-related benefit calculations, unless another law says otherwise.
• The assistance would be exempt from federal income tax.
• The Secretary of Education would write regulations needed to implement the program.

Timing

The bill would take effect one year after enactment.

Relevant Companies

None found