HR-6358-119
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Sponsored by Lois Frankel (D-FL)
What it does
This bill would rewrite Part T of title VIII of the Higher Education Act so the Education Secretary shall award 4-year grants, each capped at $500,000, to colleges or groups of colleges to establish, maintain, improve, or operate Student Veteran Centers. Grants are subject to appropriations, and the bill would authorize "such sums as may be necessary" for fiscal years 2026 through 2033. Applicants must enroll a significant number or share of student veterans or service members compared with similar institutions and present a sustainability plan. The Secretary would give priority to certain applicants, report to Congress within 3 years of the first grant, and build a best-practices website.
Who benefits
Student veterans, active-duty members, and reservists at funded campuses, who could gain a lounge, a single office, benefits counseling, and tutoring. Spouses, partners, and children of student veterans, and local community veterans, who may use some services. Colleges with large veteran enrollments and tight budgets, including rural and smaller schools given the equitable-distribution factor. Veterans hired as center staff or work-study workers, and nonprofit veteran groups that partner with grantees.
Who is hurt
Federal taxpayers, who would fund an open-ended authorization with no stated dollar ceiling. Colleges that do not win grants or do not meet the enrollment test, and that may compete for limited funds. Grantees, who would take on application, sustainability-planning, and reporting duties and may need to cover center costs after the 4-year grant ends. Other education or veteran programs that could compete for the same appropriations.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that almost 1,000,000 veterans attend college each year and face distinct challenges such as age gaps, family duties, and service-related disabilities. They contend dedicated centers are a recognized best practice, endorsed by Student Veterans of America and the Department of Education's 8 Keys to Veterans' Success. They add that the capped, 4-year grants require sustainability plans and outcome reporting, so Congress can see whether the money helps students finish degrees.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that the bill authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" for eight fiscal years, which sets no spending ceiling and leaves costs to later appropriations. They contend that veterans already receive support through the VA and GI Bill benefits, and that campus services are better funded by institutions or states. They add that the grants are temporary while the sustainability promise is only a plan, so colleges could be left with ongoing costs after funding ends.
Constitutional context
Congress funds this program under the Spending Clause (Art. I, §8, cl. 1), and the conditions are modest grant criteria that are likely well within the limits of South Dakota v. Dole (1987). Education remains primarily a state function under the Tenth Amendment, but voluntary grants to colleges raise no coercion problem.
Checks and balances
Congress authorizes the program and controls funding through appropriations, while the Education Secretary gains discretion over awards and must report to Congress on results within 3 years.
Historical precedent
Congress first authorized funding for Student Veteran Centers through the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success in the 110th Congress, and has appropriated funds for the program in later years.