Tester, Rounds Bill to Streamline Education Benefits for Veterans Heads to President’s Desk

Bipartisan legislation cuts down on excessive bureaucracy to give student veterans timelier benefits through the VA Work-Study Program

U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Mike Rounds’ (R-S.D.) bipartisan G.I. Bill Work Study Improvement Act of 2019 is heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The Senators’ bill will provide timelier education benefits to student veterans participating in the VA Work-Study Allowance Program by cutting down excessive bureaucracy at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Senators Tester and Rounds’ G.I. Bill Work Study Improvement Act of 2019 streamlines the processing and administration of VA benefits through the VA Work-Study Allowance Program—allowing student veterans to earn money at a second job while enrolled in classes.

“Our bipartisan bill is one step away from making it easier for student veterans to access the benefits they need to invest in their education and their futures,” said Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “The fact is that student veterans often work multiple jobs to make ends meet and often can’t afford to wait weeks on end for VA to issue them the benefits they’re due. That’s why I’m urging the President to sign this bill quickly into law to cut down on bureaucratic red tape, and provide veterans better access to the benefits they need while working toward an education.”

“For years, the VA’s work-study program has been a great benefit to veterans seeking to help other veterans through on-the-job training,” said Rounds. “But under the current system, many students are waiting weeks to get paid for their work, and some aren’t receiving paychecks at all due to administrative delays in processing at the VA. Our legislation streamlines the program to make certain student workers are getting paid on-time and in-full. Work-study programs are a great way to earn some extra cash while working toward a degree. Our bill makes improvements to the VA’s work-study program to better serve the needs of our service members transitioning into civilian life.”

A copy of the Senators’ bill can be found HERE.