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119-s-5582119th CongressWALLET

Veteran Education Empowerment Act

Sponsored By: Senator Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

Introduced

Summary

A federal grant program for Student Veteran Centers. This bill would create a formal Grants for Student Veteran Centers program in Title VIII to help colleges establish, maintain, improve, and operate on-campus centers that serve student veterans.

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  • Student veterans: Easier access to dedicated campus services and space for benefits help, counseling, and transition support through funded Student Veteran Centers.
  • Colleges and universities: Eligible to apply for federal grants to create or improve Student Veteran Centers, and to fund operations and facilities.
  • U.S. Department of Education: Would administer the grant program and award funds, subject to available appropriations.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

College grants for veteran centers

If enacted, the Department of Education would be able to award grants to colleges and consortia to establish, improve, or operate Student Veteran Centers. Grants would be available for fiscal year 2027 and the seven succeeding fiscal years, subject to appropriations. Each grant would last up to four years and be capped at a total of $500,000. Applicants would need to enroll a significant number or share of student veterans, active-duty members, or reserve-component members and present a sustainability plan. The Secretary would ensure equitable distribution across institution sizes and locations and give priority to applicants that serve veterans and families, partner with veteran or workforce organizations, hire veteran-inclusive staff, or offer orientation, retention, or mental health services.

Veteran center services and reporting

If enacted, the bill would define a Student Veteran Center as a campus lounge plus a central student veteran services office with trained employees and volunteers, including at least one full-time employee or volunteer trained as a veterans' benefits counselor. Centers would offer help with military-to-student and military-to-civilian transitions, networking, federal and state benefits, credit transfer, academic support, tutoring, mentorship, and disability rights under the ADA and Section 504. Subject to appropriations, the Secretary would create a best-practices website and submit a report to Congress no later than three years after the first grant. The report would describe awards, fund uses, recipient demographics, services offered, student progress toward credentials, best practices, and whether the program should be continued or expanded.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

NV • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 9/29/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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