DelawareHB 160153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATED TO DELAWARE NATIONAL GUARD EDUCATION BENEFITS.

Sponsored By: Daniel B. Short (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Service, grades, and repayment rules

To get aid, you must agree to at least six years of satisfactory Guard service. You must keep a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher; if it drops below 2.0, you lose funding for that term and cannot get more until it is back to 2.0. If you fail the service promise, are terminated for cause, or break the rules, you must repay all aid with interest, pro rata from when you left; the Adjutant General sets the amount. If your membership ends for reasons not for cause, you do not have to repay what you already received. The Guard cannot pay benefits after your membership ends. These rules take effect July 1, 2026.

Time and program limits on Guard aid

You can use benefits for only one program at each level: one certificate, one associate, one bachelor’s, and one master’s. You cannot use benefits more than 15 years after you start your first funded course. If active duty made you stop school, that time is added to your 15 years. These rules begin July 1, 2026.

Delaware Guard pays in-state college costs

The law creates tuition and fee help for active Delaware National Guard members who meet the Adjutant General’s rules. At Delaware state-supported colleges, it pays up to the in-state rate and the school must charge you in-state. At Delaware private colleges, it pays up to the average in-state cost of similar state schools. The Guard pays your school within 60 days after it gets your bill. These benefits start July 1, 2026.

Funding limits; master’s cut first

The program pays tuition and fees only within the money the state budgets. If requests are higher than the funds, master’s payments are reduced before any cuts to certificates, associate, or bachelor’s programs. This rule starts July 1, 2026.

Board sets program rules and forms

The Adjutant General appoints a board to write rules and provide forms to run the program. This starts July 1, 2026.

Apply first, in-state schools only

You must apply for benefits before your class starts, on the schedule set by the Adjutant General. Before the Guard pays, you must use all other scholarships, grants, and any employer education benefits. Benefits only work at Delaware state-supported colleges or private colleges in Delaware. Only classes your school requires for your certificate or degree are covered. Within 45 days after finishing a course, submit proof of your application and, if needed, your latest transcript. These rules begin July 1, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Daniel B. Short
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Eric Buckson
Republican • Senate
William J. Carson
Democratic • House
Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha
Democratic • House
Richard G. Collins
Republican • House
Stephanie L. Hansen
Democratic • Senate
Kerri Evelyn Harris
Democratic • House
Jeff Hilovsky
Republican • House
Gerald W. Hocker
Republican • Senate
Kimberly Williams
Democratic • House
Dave G. Lawson
Republican • Senate
Spiros Mantzavinos
Democratic • Senate
DeShanna U Neal
Democratic • House
Brian Pettyjohn
Republican • Senate
Cyndie Romer
Democratic • House
Sherae'a Moore
Democratic • House
Claire Snyder-Hall
Democratic • House
David P. Sokola
Democratic • Senate
David L. Wilson
Republican • Senate
Lyndon D. Yearick
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 61 • No: 0

Senate vote • 7/1/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 6/17/2025

Passed (2/3 required)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Signed by Governor
7/23/2025Governor
Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
6/30/2025Senate
Reported Out of Committee (Education) in Senate with 6 On Its Merits
6/25/2025Senate
Assigned to Education Committee in Senate
6/17/2025Senate
Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT
6/17/2025House
Reported Out of Committee (Education) in House with 1 Favorable, 8 On Its Merits
5/21/2025House
Introduced and Assigned to Education Committee in House
5/13/2025House

Bill Text

Current
5/13/2025
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