[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 19 (Thursday, February 7, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DURBIN:
  S. 262. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide 
equity for tuition and fees for individuals entitled to educational 
assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs who are pursuing programs of education 
at institutions of higher learning, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. DURBIN. The original GI Bill proved to be a landmark initiative 
for our troops and an outstanding investment in the future of our 
nation. The Post 9/11 GI bill, signed into law in 2008, built on the 
success of the original program by providing helpful and hard-earned 
educational and economic benefits for our newest generation of 
veterans.
  Just as the veterans of WWII were the engine of economic recovery and 
expansion in the postwar period, the most recent generation of veterans 
will continue their service to America by reaching their full 
educational and economic potential through the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
  In January 2011, Congress made further changes to the Post 9/11 GI 
Bill which caps the amount of education benefits for veterans enrolled 
in private colleges at $17,500 and limits the education benefit for 
veterans enrolled in public colleges to the amount charged for in-state 
tuition and fees. That seemed reasonable, but what we have learned is 
that many veterans are not eligible for in-state tuition. And the cost 
difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for public 
universities can be substantial.
  Current law unintentionally burdens a significant number of veterans, 
requiring them to pay thousands of dollars in out of pocket costs for 
non-resident tuition and fee rates. These costs add up over the course 
of a college career--so much so that veterans often drop out of college 
or transfer to another school, with a significant amount of debt and 
without an actual degree. But veterans at private schools have their 
tuition covered up to $18,077.
  I am introducing the Veterans Equity Act of 2013 to remedy the 
inequality between benefits for those at a private institution and 
those at a public school charging out-of-state fees. This bill would 
allow veterans who are considered non-residents of the state school 
they attend to receive up to $18,077 in tuition benefits, the same 
benefit that would be available to that veteran if attending a private 
institution.
  This legislation is supported by American Council on Education, 
Association of State Colleges and Universities, Association of Public 
and Land-Grant Universities, Association of American Universities and 
the American Association of Community Colleges.
  I am deeply concerned that some for-profit institutions may be 
abusing G.I. tuition payments by aggressively targeting veterans for 
academic programs that may not provide value to students, such as 
preparation for future employment. The Veterans Equity Act will help 
more veterans attend public institutions without significant out of 
pocket costs.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 262

       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 ``Veterans Education Equity 
     Act of 2013''.

     SEC. 2. PROTECTING EQUITY FOR TUITION AND FEES FOR 
                   INDIVIDUALS ENTITLED TO ASSISTANCE UNDER THE 
                   POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WHO 
                   ARE PURSUING PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION AT 
                   INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING.

       (a) In General.--Clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of 
     paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of section 3313 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(i) In the case of a program of education pursued at a 
     public institution of higher learning, the lesser of--

       ``(I) the actual net cost for tuition and fees assessed by 
     the institution for the program of education after the 
     application of--

       ``(aa) any waiver of, or reduction in, tuition and fees; 
     and
       ``(bb) any scholarship, or other Federal, State, 
     institutional, or employer-based aid or assistance (other 
     than loans and any funds provided under section 401(b) of the 
     Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a)) that is 
     provided directly to the institution and specifically 
     designated for the sole purpose of defraying tuition and 
     fees; or

       ``(II) the greater of--

       ``(aa) the actual net cost for in-State tuition and fees 
     assessed by the institution for the program of education 
     after the application of--
       ``(AA) any waiver of, or reduction in, tuition and fees; 
     and
       ``(BB) any scholarship, or other Federal, State, 
     institutional, or employer-based aid or assistance (other 
     than loans and any funds provided under section 401(b) of the 
     Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a)) that is 
     provided directly to the institution and specifically 
     designated for the sole purpose of defraying tuition and 
     fees; or
       ``(bb) the amount equal to--
       ``(AA) for the academic year beginning on August 1, 2011, 
     $17,500; or
       ``(BB) for any subsequent academic year, the amount in 
     effect for the previous academic year under this subclause, 
     as increased by the percentage increase equal to the most 
     recent percentage increase determined under section 3015(h) 
     of this title.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to the payment of educational 
     assistance for an academic year beginning on or after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______