summary
Introduced
05/15/2015
05/15/2015
In Committee
09/17/2015
09/17/2015
Crossed Over
02/10/2016
02/10/2016
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017
01/03/2017
Introduced Session
114th Congress
Bill Summary
Career-Ready Student Veterans Act (Sec. 2) This bill adds the following new criteria for state approval, with respect to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance, of applications of educational institutions providing veterans with non-accredited courses: a program designed to prepare an individual for state licensure or certification must meet any state instructional curriculum licensure or certification requirements; or a program designed to prepare an individual for employment pursuant to standards developed by a state board or agency in an occupation requiring approval or licensure must be approved or licensed by that state board or agency. The VA may waive either of these two requirements if: the educational institution is accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Department of Education; the program did not meet the requirements at any time during the two-year period preceding the waiver date; the waiver furthers the purposes of the educational assistance programs or would further the education interests of individuals eligible for assistance under such programs; and the educational institution does not provide any incentive payment based on securing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, except for recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who are ineligible for federal student assistance. The VA shall submit to Congress notice of, and justification for, a waiver within 30 days of issuance. The VA shall disapprove a course of education unless the educational institution providing it discloses publicly any conditions or additional requirements, including training, experience, or exams, required to obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the course is designed to provide preparation. If after enrollment in a course subject to disapproval an individual pursues one or more courses of education at the same educational institution while remaining continuously enrolled, such course or courses shall not be subject to disapproval by reason of this Act.
AI Summary
This bill, the Career-Ready Student Veterans Act, aims to improve how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) approves educational programs for veterans using their educational assistance benefits, particularly for non-accredited courses. It introduces new requirements for programs designed to prepare students for state licensure, certification, or specific employment requiring state approval; these programs must now meet the relevant state's instructional curriculum or be approved by the state board or agency overseeing that occupation. However, the VA can waive these new requirements if the educational institution is accredited by a Department of Education-recognized agency, the program didn't meet the state requirements for two years prior to the waiver, the waiver benefits veterans' education, and the institution doesn't offer incentives for enrollment or financial aid decisions (with an exception for recruiting foreign students ineligible for federal aid). The VA must also notify Congress about any waivers granted and their justifications within 30 days. Furthermore, educational institutions must publicly disclose any additional conditions, like training or exams, needed to achieve the license or certification the course prepares students for, or the VA will disapprove the course. Importantly, if a student is already enrolled in a course that might be disapproved under this new law and continues to be continuously enrolled in other courses at the same institution, those subsequent courses will not be disapproved due to this Act.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (8)
Mark Takano (D)*,
Karen Bass (D),
Julia Brownley (D),
Mike Coffman (R),
Ryan Costello (R),
Ann Kuster (D),
Amata Radewagen (R),
Dina Titus (D),
Last Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (on 02/10/2016)
Official Document
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