Montgomery GI Bill for the 21st Century Act - Reduces, for purposes of certain student financial aid computations, the expected family contribution for individuals receiving educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) by an amount equal to the statutory reduction in basic pay or voluntary separation incentives for such individuals.
Authorizes enrollment in the MGIB basic educational assistance program by certain individuals who participated in or were eligible to participate in the post-Vietnam era veteran's educational assistance program.
Provides for commencement of the ten-year delimiting period for the receipt of certain training program benefits by veterans, survivors, and dependents upon commencement of such training.
Makes MGIB educational benefits available for payment of fees associated with national admissions exams and national exams for credit at institutions of higher education.
Increases the maximum loan guarantee amount for veterans seeking assistance under the Veterans Administration home loan guaranty program by indexing that amount to the Freddie Mac conforming loan limit, adjusted annually.
[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2534 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2534
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and enhance benefits
under the Montgomery GI Bill, to improve housing benefits for veterans,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 16, 2004
Mr. Graham of Florida introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and enhance benefits
under the Montgomery GI Bill, to improve housing benefits for veterans,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Montgomery GI Bill for the 21st
Century Act''.
SEC. 2. EXCLUSION OF BASIC PAY CONTRIBUTIONS FOR PARTICIPATION IN BASIC
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE IN CERTAIN COMPUTATIONS ON STUDENT
FINANCIAL AID.
(a) Exclusion.--Subchapter II of chapter 30 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 3020A. Exclusion of basic pay contributions in certain
computations on student financial aid
``(a) In General.--The expected family contribution computed under
section 475, 476, or 477 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1087oo, 1087pp, 1087qq) for a covered student shall be decreased by
$1,200 for the applicable year.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `academic year' has the meaning given the
term in section 481(a)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1088(a)(2)).
``(2) The term `applicable year' means the first academic
year for which a student uses entitlement to basic educational
assistance under this chapter.
``(3) The term `covered student' means any individual
entitled to basic educational assistance under this chapter
whose basic pay or voluntary separation incentives was or were
subject to reduction under section 3011(b), 3012(c), 3018(c),
3018A(b), or 3018B(b) of this title.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
3020 the following new item:
``3020A. Exclusion of basic pay contributions in certain computations
on student financial aid.''.
SEC. 3. OPPORTUNITY FOR ENROLLMENT IN BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WHO PARTICIPATED OR WERE
ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN POST-VIETNAM ERA VETERANS
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) Opportunity for Enrollment.--Section 3018C(e) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or (3)'' after
``paragraph (2)'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as
paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively;
(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new
paragraph (3):
``(3) A qualified individual referred to in paragraph (1) is also
an individual who meets each of the following requirements:
``(A) The individual is a participant in the educational
benefits program under chapter 32 of this title as of the date
of the enactment of the Montgomery GI Bill for the 21st Century
Act, or was eligible to participate in such program, but had
not participated in that program or any other educational
benefits program under this title, as of that date.
``(B) The individual meets the requirements of subsection
(a)(3).
``(C) The individual, when discharged or released from
active duty, is discharged or released therefrom with an
honorable discharge.'';
(4) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated, by striking
``paragraph (3)(A)(ii)'' and inserting ``paragraph
(4)(A)(ii)''; and
(5) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by inserting ``,
or individuals eligible to participate in that program who have
not participated in that program or any other educational
benefits program under this title,'' after ``chapter 32 of this
title''.
(b) Conforming and Clerical Amendments.--(1) The heading of such
section is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 3018C. Opportunity to enroll: certain VEAP participants; certain
individuals eligible for participation in VEAP''.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 30 of such
title is amended by striking the item relating to section 3018C and
inserting the following new item:
``3018C. Opportunity to enroll: certain VEAP participants; certain
individuals eligible for participation in
VEAP.''.
SEC. 4. COMMENCEMENT OF 10-YEAR DELIMITING PERIOD FOR VETERANS,
SURVIVORS, AND DEPENDENTS WHO ENROLL IN TRAINING PROGRAM.
(a) Veterans.--Section 3031 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``through (g), and
subject to subsection (h)'' and inserting ``through (h), and
subject to subsection (i)'';
(2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (g) the following new
subsection (h):
``(h) In the case of an individual eligible for educational
assistance under this chapter who, during the 10-year period described
in subsection (a) of this section, enrolls in a program of training
under this chapter, the period during which the individual may use the
individual's entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter
expires on the last day of the 10-year period beginning on the first
day of the individual's pursuit of such program of training.''.
(b) Eligible Children.--Subsection (a) of section 3512 of such
title is amended--
(1) in paragraph (6)(B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(8) if the person enrolls in a program of special
restorative training under subchapter V of this chapter, such
period shall begin on the first day of the person's pursuit of
such program of special restorative training.''.
(c) Eligible Surviving Spouses.--Subsection (b) of such section is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this
subsection, any eligible person (as defined in section 3501(a)(1)(B) or
(D)(ii) of this title) who, during the 10-year period described in
paragraph (1) of this subsection, enrolls in a program of special
restorative training under subchapter V of this chapter may be afforded
educational assistance under this chapter during the 10-year period
beginning on the first day of the individual's pursuit of such program
of special restorative training.''.
SEC. 5. AVAILABILITY OF EDUCATION BENEFITS FOR PAYMENT FOR NATIONAL
ADMISSIONS EXAMS AND NATIONAL EXAMS FOR CREDIT AT
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
(a) Covered Exams.--Sections 3452(b) and 3501(a)(5) of title 38,
United States Code, are each amended by adding at the end the following
new sentence: ``Such term also includes national tests for admission to
institutions of higher learning or graduate schools (such as the SAT,
LSAT, GRE, and GMAT exams) and national tests providing an opportunity
for course credit at institutions of higher learning (such as the AP
exam).''.
(b) Amount of Payment.--
(1) Chapter 30.--Section 3032 of such title is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(g)(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational
assistance payable under this chapter for a national test for admission
or national test providing an opportunity for course credit at
institutions of higher learning described in section 3452(b) of this
title is the amount of the fee charged for the test.
``(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case of
any individual for a test described in paragraph (1) is equal to the
number (including any fraction) determined by dividing the total amount
of educational assistance paid such individual for such test by the
full-time monthly institutional rate of educational assistance, except
for paragraph (1), such individual would otherwise be paid under
subsection (a)(1), (b)(1), (d), or (e)(1) of section 3015 of this
title, as the case may be.
``(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under
this subsection for a test described in paragraph (1) exceed the amount
of the individual's available entitlement under this chapter.''.
(2) Chapter 32.--Section 3232 of such title is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d)(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational
assistance payable under this chapter for a national test for admission
or national test providing an opportunity for course credit at
institutions of higher learning described in section 3452(b) of this
title is the amount of the fee charged for the test.
``(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case of
any individual for a test described in paragraph (1) is equal to the
number (including any fraction) determined by dividing the total amount
of educational assistance paid such individual for such test by the
full-time monthly institutional rate of educational assistance, except
for paragraph (1), such individual would otherwise be paid under this
chapter.
``(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under
this subsection for a test described in paragraph (1) exceed the amount
of the individual's available entitlement under this chapter.''.
(3) Chapter 34.--Section 3482 of such title is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(i)(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational
assistance payable under this chapter for a national test for admission
or national test providing an opportunity for course credit at
institutions of higher learning described in section 3452(b) of this
title is the amount of the fee charged for the test.
``(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case of
any individual for a test described in paragraph (1) is equal to the
number (including any fraction) determined by dividing the total amount
of educational assistance paid such individual for such test by the
full-time monthly institutional rate of educational assistance, except
for paragraph (1), such individual would otherwise be paid under this
chapter.
``(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under
this subsection for a test described in paragraph (1) exceed the amount
of the individual's available entitlement under this chapter.''.
(4) Chapter 35.--Section 3532 of such title is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(g)(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational
assistance payable under this chapter for a national test for admission
or national test providing an opportunity for course credit at
institutions of higher learning described in section 3501(a)(5) of this
title is the amount of the fee charged for the test.
``(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case of
any individual for a test described in paragraph (1) is equal to the
number (including any fraction) determined by dividing the total amount
of educational assistance paid such individual for such test by the
full-time monthly institutional rate of educational assistance, except
for paragraph (1), such individual would otherwise be paid under this
chapter.
``(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under
this subsection for a test described in paragraph (1) exceed the amount
of the individual's available entitlement under this chapter.''.
SEC. 6. INCREASE IN MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF HOME LOAN GUARANTY FOR
CONSTRUCTION AND PURCHASE OF HOMES AND ANNUAL INDEXING OF
AMOUNT.
(a) Maximum Loan Guaranty Based on 100 Percent of Freddie Mac
Conforming Loan Rate.--Section 3703(a)(1) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``$60,000'' each place it appears in
subparagraphs (A)(i)(IV) and (B) and inserting ``the maximum guaranty
amount (as defined in subparagraph (C))''.
(b) Definition.--Such section is further amended by adding at the
end the following new subparagraph:
``(C) In this paragraph, the term `maximum guaranty amount' means
the dollar amount that is equal to 25 percent of the Freddie Mac
conforming loan limit limitation determined under section 305(a)(2) of
the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12 U.S.C. 1454(a)(2))
for a single-family residence, as adjusted for the year involved.''.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6902-6903)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6904-6905)
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
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