Senate File 2358 - Introduced
SENATE FILE
BY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS
AFFAIRS
(SUCCESSOR TO SF 2253)
Passed Senate, Date Passed House, Date
Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays
Approved
A BILL FOR
1 An Act establishing an educational assistance stipend for
2 eligible veterans and providing an appropriation.
3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
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PAG LIN
1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 35A.16 VETERANS EDUCATION
1 2 ASSISTANCE PROGRAM == APPROPRIATION.
1 3 1. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this section, unless the
1 4 context otherwise requires:
1 5 a. "Eligible postsecondary institution" means an
1 6 institution of higher learning under the control of the state
1 7 board of regents, a community college established under
1 8 chapter 260C, or an accredited private institution as defined
1 9 in section 261.9, subsection 1, which agrees to participate in
1 10 the program established in this section.
1 11 b. "Eligible veteran" means a veteran who meets the
1 12 following conditions:
1 13 (1) Is a student making satisfactory academic progress at
1 14 an eligible postsecondary institution.
1 15 (2) Is a resident of this state at the time of application
1 16 for payment under this section and was a resident of this
1 17 state at the time of the person's enlistment or any
1 18 reenlistment into the United States armed forces, as evidenced
1 19 by documentation to the satisfaction of the department.
1 20 (3) Except for benefits under this section, has no
1 21 remaining military or veteran=related educational assistance
1 22 benefits for which the person may have been entitled.
1 23 (4) Applies to the department in a format determined by
1 24 the department and submits with the application proof of
1 25 military service, and, where applicable, proof of residency
1 26 and a statement from the United States veterans administration
1 27 that the veteran has exhausted entitlement to federal
1 28 educational benefits.
1 29 2. PROGRAM. A veterans education assistance program is
1 30 established within and shall be administered by the department
1 31 to provide a single education assistance payment of seven
1 32 hundred fifty dollars for each eligible veteran.
1 33 3. PAYMENT. Payment shall not be made for a veteran who
1 34 has attained a baccalaureate or higher degree. Upon
1 35 submission of satisfactory proof of eligibility and receipt of
2 1 certification by the president or governing board of the
2 2 educational institution that the veteran is an undergraduate
2 3 student, payment authorized under this section on behalf of an
2 4 eligible veteran shall be made directly to the eligible
2 5 postsecondary institution the veteran is attending.
2 6 4. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. The department shall adopt by
2 7 rule policies and procedures for determining eligibility and
2 8 payment under this section.
2 9 5. APPROPRIATION. There is appropriated annually from the
2 10 general fund of the state to the department of veterans
2 11 affairs an amount sufficient to make veterans education
2 12 assistance payments as provided in this section.
2 13 EXPLANATION
2 14 This bill requires the department of veterans affairs to
2 15 make veterans education assistance payments of $750 to
2 16 eligible postsecondary institutions on behalf of veterans who
2 17 have exhausted entitlement to federal educational benefits.
2 18 The bill makes a standing unlimited appropriation to make the
2 19 veterans education assistance payments.
2 20 Payments shall not be made for a person who has a
2 21 baccalaureate or higher degree. Veterans may attend a
2 22 community college, regents university, or an accredited
2 23 private institution if the institution agrees to participate
2 24 in the program. Payment is made on behalf of the eligible
2 25 veteran to the eligible postsecondary institution the veteran
2 26 is attending upon submission of satisfactory proof of
2 27 eligibility and receipt of certification by the institution
2 28 that the veteran is an undergraduate student.
2 29 An eligible veteran is defined as a veteran who is a
2 30 student making satisfactory academic progress at an eligible
2 31 postsecondary institution; is and was a resident of this state
2 32 at the time of the person's enlistment or any reenlistment
2 33 into the United States armed forces; has no remaining military
2 34 or veteran=related educational assistance benefits for which
2 35 the person may have been entitled; and applies to the
3 1 department and submits with the application proof of military
3 2 service, proof of residency, and a statement from the United
3 3 States veterans administration that the veteran has exhausted
3 4 entitlement to federal educational benefits.
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