VA Work-Study Improvement Act
Sponsored By: Representative McClain Delaney
In Committee
Summary
expand and modernize the VA Work-Study program. This bill would broaden where participants can work and tighten wage rules while adding electronic timekeeping and annual public reporting.
Show full summary
- Veterans, students, and service members would be able to perform any activity at a State or local government agency or at a nonprofit that benefits veterans or service members. Payments under the changed rules would apply to work-study allowances made on or after January 1, 2028.
- Host employers, including State and local governments and nonprofits, would have to pay the higher of three wage standards: the federal General Schedule or Federal Wage System basic pay rate, the State minimum wage where work is done, or the local minimum wage. The bill also defines "rate of basic pay" by reference to section 8331 of title 5.
- Program administration would be modernized by allowing electronic timesheets with supervisor approval. The VA would publish annual data on participants, demographics, activity descriptions, wages, hours worked, and participating educational institutions.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Higher minimum pay for VA work-study
If enacted, VA work-study hourly pay would use the highest of three minimums: the Federal GS/FWS floor, your state minimum wage, or your local minimum wage. This would apply to payments made on or after January 1, 2028. Your pay for a period would be that hourly rate times the hours you worked.
More placements and online timesheets for VA work-study
If enacted, more places could host VA work-study, including state or local agencies and nonprofits, when the work helps veterans or service members. The VA would also let you record hours online and have a supervisor approve them electronically. These changes would apply to payments made on or after January 1, 2028. This could make it easier to find a placement and get paid on time.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McClain Delaney
MD • D
Cosponsors
Budzinski
IL • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Clarke (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Cohen
TN • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Fields
LA • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Fitzpatrick
PA • R
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Garcia (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Gottheimer
NJ • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
McIver
NJ • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Moulton
MA • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Olszewski
MD • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Titus
NV • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Watson Coleman
NJ • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Whitesides
CA • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Chu
CA • D
Sponsored 11/12/2025
Williams (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 11/12/2025
Horsford
NV • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Krishnamoorthi
IL • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Larsen (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
McClellan
VA • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
McGarvey
KY • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Thanedar
MI • D
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Keating
MA • D
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Johnson (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Garcia (CA)
CA • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Torres (CA)
CA • D
Sponsored 11/25/2025
Ansari
AZ • D
Sponsored 12/9/2025
Moskowitz
FL • D
Sponsored 1/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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