US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB967

Introduced
2/4/25  
Refer
2/4/25  

Caption

Modern GI Bill ActThis bill authorizes individuals who are entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to apply amounts of such assistance to repay federal student loans for up to 36 months.The bill sets a cap and annual cost-of-living increases for the amount of educational assistance that may be paid to an individual under this bill during FY2026 and the following years.

Impact

The introduction of HB 967 could have substantial implications for veterans struggling with student debt. By allowing up to $15,900 in educational assistance to be used annually for loan repayment, the bill promotes financial relief and aids in the smoother integration of veterans into the educational system and workforce. Additionally, it aims to mitigate the rising levels of student debt among veterans, thus potentially enhancing their quality of life and economic stability.

Summary

House Bill 967, known as the Modern GI Bill Act, aims to enhance the benefits provided to veterans who qualify for Post-9/11 educational assistance. This bill proposes to allow these individuals to use their educational benefits to repay federal student loans. Specifically, the bill amends Title 38 of the United States Code to enable veterans to allocate a portion of their education assistance directly towards their outstanding student loan balance, addressing a significant financial burden faced by many service members transitioning to civilian life.

Contention

While there is hope that HB 967 will provide necessary financial relief, there could be points of contention in its implementation. Critics may raise concerns regarding the limits set on the annual repayment amounts and the non-transferability of such educational assistance benefits. Furthermore, discussions may arise around the adequacy of the set annual maximum in relation to the growing costs of education and student loan debt burdens, calling for a re-evaluation of the funding to ensure it meets the diverse financial needs of veterans.

Congress_id

119-HR-967

Policy_area

Armed Forces and National Security

Introduced_date

2025-02-04

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB4237

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the eligibility requirements for transfer of unused entitlement to Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, and for other purposes.

US SB4231

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase flexibility in the transferability of Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, and for other purposes.

US HB422

No Subsidies for Wealthy Universities ActThis bill limits the indirect costs that are allowable under federal research awards to institutions of higher education (IHEs) with endowments above specified thresholds. (Generally, indirect costs represent expenses that are not specific to a research project but are needed to maintain the infrastructure and administrative support for federally funded research.)Specifically, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) must annually collect information regarding the endowments of each IHE that has entered into a program participation agreement with the Department of Education.With this collected information, NCES must identify and make lists of (1) each IHE with an endowment of more than $5 billion, and (2) each IHE with an endowment of more than $2 billion (but not more than $5 billion). NCES must submit these lists to the Office of Management and Budget, which must then distribute the lists to federal agencies, Congress, and the public.The bill establishes the following limits on the indirect costs allowable under federal research awards:for an IHE with an endowment of more than $5 billion, the IHE is prohibited from using these awards for indirect costs;for an IHE with an endowment of more than $2 billion (but not more than $5 billion), the IHE is limited to an indirect cost rate of 8%; andfor all other IHEs, an indirect cost rate of 15%.The Government Accountability Office must annually report to Congress on indirect cost reimbursement on federal research awards for IHEs.

US SB62

America First ActThis bill limits the eligibility of certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) for various federal benefits and grants, makes permanent the child tax credit increase, and requires individuals to provide evidence of satisfactory immigration status prior to receiving specified benefits.The bill prohibits asylees, parolees, and individuals withheld from removal from receiving certain federal benefits, including Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), and Supplemental Security Income. The bill further restricts on the basis of immigration status benefits under federal health programs such as Medicare, emergency disaster relief, housing assistance, food assistance, early childhood assistance, student aid, and Community Development Block Grants.The bill also makes permanent the increase in the child tax credit set to expire at the end of 2025. In addition, this tax credit and the earned income tax credit are not available to asylees, parolees, individuals granted temporary protected status, individuals withheld from removal, individuals granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status, and non-U.S. nationals with employment-based immigrant visas.Federal aid is reduced for elementary and secondary education by 50% annually to jurisdictions that do not assist federal immigration enforcement actions (deemed sanctuary jurisdictions under the bill).The bill also removes statutory exemptions for Haitian entrants that allows such entrants to receive various aid.Certain benefits are prohibited, including Medicaid and SNAP, until an applicant’s satisfactory immigration status is proved.The bill prohibits tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from using federal funds to support certain non-U.S. nationals.

US HF2306

A bill for an act modifying the responsibilities of school district teachers and other educational staff related to students who have individualized education programs or plans under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act.

US SB308

Graduate Opportunity and Affordable Loans ActThis bill limits federal student loan borrowing for graduate and professional students.Specifically, the bill terminates the ability of a graduate or professional student to receive a Direct PLUS Loan. Institutions of higher education (IHEs) must notify their prospective and enrolled graduate and professional students that Direct PLUS Loans terminate on June 30, 2025.Additionally, the bill establishes the aggregate loan limit for Direct Unsubsidized Loans as $65,000 for a graduate student (in addition to the amount borrowed for undergraduate education) and $130,000 for a professional student (in addition to the amount borrowed for undergraduate education).The bill allows IHEs to set lower loan limits.

US SB2616

A bill to amend the Act of October 19, 1973, to increase the maximum dollar amount of per capita shares for purposes of eligibility for financial assistance or other benefits under Federal or federally assisted programs, and for other purposes.

US HB928

Relating to tuition and fee bills or billing statements provided to students by public institutions of higher education.

US HSB241

A bill for an act relating to the establishment of the work without worry program under the medical assistance program for employed individuals with disabilities, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 905.)

US HB66

Federal Employee Student Debt Transparency ActThis bill requires certain executive branch employees to disclose their federal student loan debt in an annual report.The bill's requirement applies to an employee serving in a Senior Executive Service position or a position of a confidential or policy-determining nature (i.e., a Schedule C position). Covered employees must file a report detailing the principal and interest owed on loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, the Federal Family Education Loan Program, and the Federal Perkins Loan Program. The bill also requires the Office of Government Ethics to submit an annual report to Congress that contains (1) the total amount owed by all covered employees, and (2) the name of any covered employee who failed to report the required information. 

Similar Bills

CA SB277

Criminal procedure: search of persons.

CA AB1464

Housing preferences.

IA HF2731

A bill for an act establishing the percentage of income payment plan program to be administered by the department of health and human services.

HI HB1756

Relating To The Individual Housing Account Program.

HI HB286

Relating To The Individual Housing Account Program.

HI HB286

Relating To The Individual Housing Account Program.

CA AB2161

Medi-Cal: redeterminations and work or community engagement.

CA SB257

PARENT Act.