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119-hr-6377119th CongressWALLET

This act may be cited as the “Gold Star Siblings Educational Benefits Act

Sponsored By: Representative Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

In Committee

Summary

Expands VA education benefits to include siblings of qualifying veterans. It broadens who can receive Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance, the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, and transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, and it sets age and caregiver rules for sibling transferees.

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  • Benefit rules and definitions: The bill adds siblings into eligibility rules for DEA and the Fry Scholarship and defines "sibling" as a brother or sister by blood, adoption, or a recognized guardianship or family relationship so the same meaning applies across programs.
  • Post-9/11 transfer age limits: A sibling transferee may use transferred Post-9/11 benefits until the later of the 15-year delimiting date or the sibling's 26th birthday.
  • Caregiver exceptions: Siblings who served as primary caregivers for seriously injured service members get a special start date and an extended usage window set by the bill, subject to conditions on total duration and transfer revocation.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Fry Scholarship eligibility for siblings

If enacted, the bill would add siblings alongside children and spouses as eligible for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship. For those scholarship rules, 'sibling' would mean a brother or sister by blood, adoption, or recognized guardianship. The bill would also clarify that 'child' in those paragraphs can include a married individual or someone over age 23.

Survivor and dependent education for siblings

If enacted, Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility would be expanded to include siblings where the law now lists spouses and children. The bill would define 'sibling' as a brother or sister by blood, adoption, or recognized guardianship. Eligible siblings would need to meet the amended DEA relationship and program rules to receive benefits.

Post-9/11 benefits for siblings

If enacted, a veteran or service member approved to transfer Post-9/11 educational benefits would be able to name a sibling as a transferee. The bill would define 'sibling' as a brother or sister by blood, adoption, or recognized guardianship. A sibling could use transferred benefits until the later of the 15-year delimiting date or when the sibling turns 26. If a sibling under 26 served as the veteran's primary caregiver, the sibling would be allowed to start benefits later and get a period equal to the time they provided care, except when their caregiver designation is revoked.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 12/9/2025

  • Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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