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H.R. 6358: Veteran Education Empowerment Act

The Veteran Education Empowerment Act seeks to reauthorize and improve a grant program aimed at supporting institutions of higher education in establishing, maintaining, and enhancing Student Veteran Centers. Here is a breakdown of the bill’s main components:

Purpose of the Bill

The bill is designed to address the unique challenges faced by veterans transitioning from military service to academic and civilian life. It aims to provide educational support and resources to nearly one million veterans who attend colleges and universities annually.

Key Findings

Veterans often experience distinct challenges, such as age differences and service-related disabilities, which can make academic adaptation difficult.
Loneliness and isolation are common among student veterans, and connecting them with peers who have successfully transitioned can help mitigate these feelings.
Student Veteran Centers are recognized as effective resources for veterans in academic settings.
Budget restrictions often limit colleges from creating dedicated spaces to support veterans.

Establishment of Grant Program

The bill proposes grants to higher education institutions or collaborations between institutions. These grants will facilitate the creation and support of Student Veteran Centers, which offer dedicated resources and environments for veterans and military members.

Eligibility for Grants

Institutions can apply for grants if they meet specific criteria:

They must enroll a significant number or percentage of veterans or active-duty military members.
They must provide a sustainability plan to ensure the center continues to operate after the grant period.

Grant Selection Criteria

When awarding grants, priority will be given to institutions or consortia that meet certain conditions, including:

Residing in regions with large veteran populations.
Offering equitable support to veterans across various types of institutions.
Providing community programs for veterans and their families.
Collaborating with veteran service organizations or local workforce development groups.
Employing veteran staff and offering modified orientations for veteran students.
Establishing student veteran retention programs and mental health counseling resources.

Use of Grant Funds

Institutions awarded grants can use the funds to:

Establish and operate Student Veteran Centers.
Provide additional support services, including assistance with academic admissions and credit transfers.

Grant Duration and Amounts

Each grant will be awarded for a maximum of four years, with total funding not exceeding $500,000. Funding will be disbursed at the Secretary’s discretion over the grant period.

Reporting Requirements

The Secretary of Education is required to report to Congress within three years of the first grant award, detailing:

The number of grants awarded.
How institutions used the funding and the demographics of the student veterans served.
The effectiveness of the grants in aiding veterans’ completion of their educational goals.

Best Practices Website

Within three years of the first grant award, the Secretary will also launch a website for Student Veteran Centers, sharing best practices for serving student veterans in higher education.