Over the weekend, the Congress approved and President Trump signed into law legislation designed to protect GI Bill and other U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-funded students from a reduction in their housing allowance as classes shifted online because of the coronavirus, The Military Times reported.
The bill, S. 3503, would grant the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the authority to continue to provide VA educational assistance to veterans when an approved program of education at a college or university is converted to an online program due to an emergency or health-related situation. This authority would be available immediately and would extend through December 21, 2020.
The legislation responds to a VA determination that it would be required under the GI Bill statute to reduce students' housing allowance by half and possibly defund and programs that had not been previously approved to offer online education, reported Politico. It also addresses the issue of pass/fail grades and gives the VA flexibility to not impact a student's GI Bill benefits during these times.
AACRAO joined more than 60 other higher education groups to urge Congress to move swiftly to approve the legislation. The letter expresses strong support for the bipartisan legislation.
The VA is preparing additional guidance for schools that have changes in training modalities and operation status due to COVID-19. In order to avoid confusion and the need to make multiple changes to enrollments, the VA is asking that all institutions temporarily refrain from making any adjustments to enrollment certifications if training has changed due to COVID-19.
Related Links
The Military Times
https://www.militarytimes.com/education-transition/2020/03/19/gi-bill-benefits-to-continue-despite-college-coronavirus-closings-after-emergency-fix-rushes-through-congress/
Politico
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-education/2020/03/20/gop-proposes-suspending-federal-student-loan-payments-extending-new-powers-for-school-waivers-786254