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: 4 TLSB 6199SV 82 5 kh/nh/5 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. 3 5 LSB 6199SV 82 3 6 kh/nh/5