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Fairness in Veterans' Education Act of 2025
S. 972 To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays members of the Armed Forces for certain contributions made by such members towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill amends veterans' benefits law to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs repays service members for their contributions toward Post-9/11 Educational Assistance benefits. It requires the repayment to be made within 60 days after an individual exhausts their educational assistance entitlement. The bill creates a mechanism for individuals who do not qualify for a monthly housing stipend to receive their repayment as a lump sum calculated based on their total contributions and length of service. The amendments take effect August 1, 2025.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
- Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN] (R-IN)
2 cosponsors
- Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] (R-TX)
- Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ] (D-AZ)
Actions (5)
- Dec 9, 2025 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 288. · senate
- Dec 9, 2025 Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report. · senate
- Jul 30, 2025 Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. · senate
- Mar 11, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. · senate
- Mar 11, 2025 Introduced in Senate
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Full text
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 11, 2025
Mr. Banks (for himself, Mr. Gallego, and Mr. Cornyn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
December 9, 2025
Reported by Mr. Moran, with an amendment [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic]
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays members of the Armed Forces for certain contributions made by such members towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, 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 “Fairness in Veterans’ Education Act of 2025”.
SEC. 2. REPAYMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.—Section 3327(f)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking “together” and all that follows through “(as applicable),”. (b) Effective Date.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2025.
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Fairness in Veterans’ Education Act of 2025”.
SEC. 2. REPAYMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: TIMING; MECHANISM FOR INDIVIDUALS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A MONTHLY HOUSING STIPEND.
(a) In General.—Subsection (f) of section 3327 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking “together” and all that follows through “before” and inserting “not later than 60 days after”; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
“(4) Additional assistance for an individual not eligible for a monthly housing stipend.—In the case of an individual making an election under subsection (a) who is described by subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that subsection, and who is not eligible for a monthly stipend payable under section 3313(c) of this title, the educational assistance payable to the individual under this chapter shall be paid—
“(A) in a lump sum calculated by multiplying—
“(i) the total amount of contributions described in paragraph (1)(A) with regards to such individual; and
“(ii) the sum of the number of months described in subclauses (I) and (II) of paragraph (1)(B)(i) with regards to such individual; and
“(B) to the individual not later than 60 days after the exhaustion of the individual’s entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter.”.
(b) Technical Corrections and Conforming Amendment.—Such subsection is further amended—
(1) by striking “paragraphs (2) through (7)” and inserting “paragraphs (2) through (6)”; and
(2) in paragraph (1), in the heading, by inserting “for an individual eligible for a monthly housing stipend” after “Additional assistance”.
(c) Effective Date.—The amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2025. Calendar No. 288
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 972
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays members of the Armed Forces for certain contributions made by such members towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, and for other purposes.
December 9, 2025
Reported with an amendment
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