S. 5582: Veteran Education Empowerment Act

This bill would renew and revise a federal grant program for colleges and universities to create and run Student Veteran Centers on campus.

What the grants would fund

The Department of Education would be allowed to give grants to individual schools or groups of schools to help them:

• start new Student Veteran Centers,
• keep existing centers open,
• improve their services, and
• cover operating costs.

Each grant would last up to 4 years and could total up to $500,000.

Who could apply

To qualify, a school or consortium would need to enroll a significant number or percentage of student veterans, active-duty service members, or reservists, compared with similar institutions. Applicants would also need to show a plan for how the center will continue after the grant ends.

How grants would be prioritized

The Education Secretary would give extra consideration to applicants that:

• are in areas with many veterans,
• serve veterans’ families and the local veteran community,
• work with veteran nonprofits, workforce groups, or other colleges,
• plan to hire veterans or veteran student workers,
• offer a separate orientation for student veterans,
• use part of the grant to support retention of student veterans, or
• provide mental health counseling for student veterans and their spouses, partners, or children.

The bill also says grants should be spread fairly across schools of different sizes and locations, including urban and rural areas.

What a Student Veteran Center would be

The bill defines a Student Veteran Center as a dedicated campus space that provides:

• a lounge or meeting area for student veterans and, in some cases, their families and other veterans in the community,
• a central office for veteran services,
• staff trained to help with veterans’ benefits,
• help with the transition from military life to college and to civilian work,
• help understanding school, federal, and state benefits,
• help with academic policies, credit transfer, and course selection,
• help understanding disability rights and protections, and
• academic support such as tutoring and mentoring.

How grant money could be used

Schools receiving grants would use the money to build, maintain, improve, or operate these centers. They could also use some funds for related support services, such as help with admissions and transferring credits, and other services they decide are needed for student veteran success.

Reporting and oversight

The Secretary of Education would have to report to Congress within 3 years after the first grant is awarded. That report would include information such as:

• how many grants were awarded,
• which schools received them,
• how much money each got,
• how the money was used,
• who was served, including demographic information,
• how many students received services,
• whether the services helped students finish degrees or credentials,
• best practices identified through the program, and
• whether the program should be extended or expanded.

Website requirement

Within 3 years after the first grant is awarded, the Department of Education would also have to create a website describing best practices for Student Veteran Centers.

Funding

The bill would authorize whatever money is needed to run the program for fiscal year 2027 and the next 7 years, subject to future appropriations by Congress.

Relevant Companies

None found