[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 24, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. LANDRIEU:
  S. 2993. A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require 
institutions of higher education to preserve the educational status and 
financial resources of military personnel called to active duty; to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, when the President gives the order to 
activate Reservists and National Guardsmen, the lives of those men and 
women are put on hold. Businesses, careers, and families are left 
behind so that America's interests may be served. Students make up a 
substantial part of our National Guard and Reserve forces. When these 
students are activated, it jeopardizes their academic standing, as well 
as their scholarships and grants. This bill would preserve their 
academic standing for the duration of their service as well as a 1-year 
period that follows that service. It would also preserve their 
scholarships and grants, as well as entitle them to a refund of unused 
tuition and fees. Federal laws already safeguards the employment status 
of activated Reservists and Guardsmen. It is time that we extend the 
same guarantee to students.
  This legislation would require colleges, universities, and community 
colleges to grant National Guardsmen and Reservists a leave of military 
absence when they are called to active duty. This leave of absence 
would last while the student is serving on active duty and a 1-year 
period at the conclusion of active service. This bill would preserve 
the academic credits that the student had earned before being 
activated. It would also preserve the scholarships and grants awarded 
to the student before being activated. Under this legislation, students 
would be entitled to receive a refund of tuition and fees or credit the 
tuition and fees to the next period of enrollment after the student 
returns from military leave. If a student elects to receive a refund, 
it would allow them to receive a full refund, minus the percentage of 
time the student spent enrolled in classes.
  The protections that are already afforded our Reservists and 
Guardsmen are appropriate considering the hardships they endure on the 
Nation's behalf. We need to acknowledge the many college students who 
are in the ranks of the Guard and Reserve and extend to them the 
protections they deserve. In this day of uncertainty on the world 
stage, our Reservists must be prepared to be called up at a moments 
notice. Once they get to their duty station, they need to focus all of 
their attention on the mission. This legislation provides our student 
Reservists with the proper safeguards on their academic career which 
will allow them to accomplish their mission.
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