Servicemember Higher Education Protection Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to direct:
Defers payments on student loans under title IV (Student Assistance) of the HEA: (1) during the period a borrower is performing eligible military service and for the 180-day period following the servicemember's demobilization date; and (2) for any period of up to 180 days after the movement date of a borrower's spouse if that spouse is a servicemember who has received military orders for a permanent change of station. Defines "eligible military service."
Qualifies recipients of Federal Perkins Loans for loan forgiveness for eligible military service. (Currently, the service must occur in an area of hostilities that qualifies the servicemember for special pay.)
Treats a borrower who is enrolled in a public service employee repayment plan and who makes a lump sum payment through a student loan repayment program for servicemembers or a similarly structured repayment program as having made a number of qualifying monthly payments under the public service employee repayment plan.
Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to set a 6% limitation on the interest rate that can be charged a servicemember during the servicemember's military service and one year thereafter on the student loans incurred by the servicemember prior to his or her military service, including student loans incurred prior to such service but consolidated or refinanced during that service.
Requires DOD, the Secretary, the VA, and the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to jointly establish and maintain a working group to assess and improve the resources available to education service officers and other federal personnel who provide assistance to servicemembers and their spouses in using or seeking to use the DOD's tuition assistance programs.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2448 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2448
To protect servicemembers in higher education, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 5, 2014
Mrs. Hagan introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To protect servicemembers in higher education, 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 ``Servicemember Higher Education
Protection Act''.
SEC. 2. REFERENCES.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to
be made to a section or other provision of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.).
SEC. 3. BENEFITS FOR BORROWERS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.
Section 131(f) is amended to read as follows:
``(f) Benefits for Members of the Armed Forces.--
``(1) Website.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination
with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, shall create a revised and updated
searchable Internet website that--
``(i) contains information, in simple and
understandable terms, about all Federal and
State student financial assistance, readmission
requirements under section 484C, and other
student services, for which members of the
Armed Forces (including members of the National
Guard and Reserves), veterans, and the
dependents of such members or veterans may be
eligible; and
``(ii) is easily accessible through the
Internet website described in subsection
(e)(3).
``(B) Implementation.--Not later than 365 days
after the date of the enactment of the Servicemember
Higher Education Protection Act, the Secretary shall
make publicly available the revised and updated
Internet website described in subparagraph (A).
``(C) Dissemination.--The Secretary, in
coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall make the
availability of the Internet website described in
subparagraph (A) widely known to members of the Armed
Forces (including members of the National Guard and
Reserves), veterans, the dependents of such members or
veterans, States, institutions of higher education, and
the general public.
``(D) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term
`Federal and State student financial assistance' means
any grant, loan, work assistance, tuition assistance,
scholarship, fellowship, or other form of financial aid
for pursuing a postsecondary education that is--
``(i) administered, sponsored, or supported
by the Department of Education, the Department
of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs,
or a State; and
``(ii) available to members of the Armed
Forces (including members of the National Guard
and Reserves), veterans, or the dependents of
such members or veterans.
``(2) Enrollment form.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation
with the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial
Protection and the heads of any other relevant Federal
agencies, shall create a simplified disclosure and
enrollment form for borrowers who are performing
eligible military service (as defined in section
481(d)).
``(B) Contents.--The disclosure and enrollment form
described in subparagraph (A) shall include--
``(i) information about the benefits and
protections under title IV and under the
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App.
501 et seq.) that are available to such
borrowers because of their status as borrowers
who are performing eligible military service
(as defined in section 481(d)); and
``(ii) an opportunity for the borrower, by
completing the enrollment form, to invoke
certain protections, activate certain benefits,
and enroll in certain programs that may be
available to that borrower, which shall include
the opportunity--
``(I) to invoke applicable
protections that are available under
the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50
U.S.C. App. 501 et seq.), as such
protections relate to Federal student
loans under title IV; and
``(II) to activate or enroll in any
other applicable benefits that are
available to such borrower under this
Act due to the borrower's status as a
borrower who is performing eligible
military service (as defined in section
481(d)), such as eligibility for a
deferment or eligibility for a period
during which interest shall not accrue.
``(C) Implementation.--Not later than 365 days
after the date of the enactment of the Servicemember
Higher Education Protection Act, the Secretary shall
make available to eligible institutions, eligible
lenders, and personnel at the Department of Defense and
other Federal agencies that provide services to
borrowers who are members of the Armed Forces or the
dependents of such members or individuals performing
eligible military service, the disclosure and
enrollment form described in subparagraph (A).
``(D) Notice requirements.--
``(i) SCRA interest rate limitation.--The
completion of the disclosure and enrollment
form created pursuant to subparagraph (A) by
the borrower of a loan made, insured, or
guaranteed under part B or part D of title IV
who is otherwise subject to the interest rate
limitation in subsection (a) of section 207 of
the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C.
App. 527(a)) and submittal of such form to the
Secretary shall be considered, for purposes of
such section, provision to the creditor of
written notice as described in subsection
(b)(1) of such section.
``(ii) FFEL lenders.--The Secretary shall
provide each such disclosure and enrollment
form completed and submitted by a borrower of a
loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B
of title IV who is otherwise subject to the
interest rate limitation in subsection (a) of
section 207 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief
Act (50 U.S.C. App. 527(a)) to any applicable
eligible lender under part B of title IV so as
to satisfy the provision to the lender of
written notice as described in subsection
(b)(1) of such section.''.
SEC. 4. POC IN THE FSA OMBUDSMAN FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND
VETERANS.
Section 141(f) (20 U.S.C. 1018(f)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) Military and veteran point of contact.--
``(A) In general.--The Chief Operating Officer, in
consultation with the Secretary, shall appoint a
designated military and veteran point of contact within
the office of the Student Loan Ombudsman.
``(B) Functions.--The designated military and
veteran point of contact described in subparagraph (A)
shall--
``(i) monitor the complaints received from
the Ombudsman under paragraph (3)(A) from, and
provide timely assistance to, members of the
Armed Forces (including members of the National
Guard and Reserves), veterans, and their
dependents;
``(ii) coordinate with other agencies,
including the Department of Defense, the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Bureau
of Consumer Financial Protection, to ensure
that members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and
the dependents of members of the Armed Forces
and veterans, who are students, borrowers, or
potential borrowers, are aware of the
availability and functions of the Ombudsman;
and
``(iii) issue to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate,
the Committee on Education and the Workforce of
the House of Representatives, the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives, the Committee on Armed
Services of the Senate, and the Committee on
Armed Services of the House of Representatives
an annual report on the challenges that such
members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and
dependents are facing as students, borrowers,
and potential borrowers.''.
SEC. 5. DISABILITY DETERMINATIONS.
(a) Amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965.--Section
437(a)(2) (20 U.S.C. 1087(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
``(2) Disability determinations.--
``(A) In general.--A borrower who has been assigned
a disability rating of 100 percent (or a combination of
ratings equaling 100 percent or more) by the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs or the Secretary of Defense for a
service-connected disability (as defined in section 101
of title 38, United States Code) and who provides
documentation of such rating to the Secretary of
Education, shall be considered permanently and totally
disabled for the purpose of discharging such borrower's
loans under this subsection, and such borrower shall
not be required to present any additional documentation
for purposes of this subsection.
``(B) Rating of disability.--A disability rating
described in subparagraph (A), or similar determination
of unemployability by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
or the Department of Defense, transmitted in accordance
with subparagraph (C) shall be considered sufficient
documentation for purposes of this subsection.
``(C) Transfer of information.--Not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of the Servicemember
Higher Education Protection Act, the Secretary, in
coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall create a system
through which the applicable disability ratings (or
alternative means of transmitting a determination of
unemployability) shall be automatically transmitted
from the Department of Defense or the Department of
Veterans Affairs, as the case may be, to the Department
of Education and shall satisfy the documentation
requirement described in this paragraph. The Secretary
shall have the authority to enter into any agreements
necessary to implement the requirements of this
paragraph.''.
(b) Reports.--
(1) Plan.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that
includes a plan to carry out the activities described under
section 437(a)(2)(C) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1087(a)(2)), as amended by this section.
(2) Follow-up report.--If the Secretary of Education has
not carried out the activities described under section
437(a)(2)(C) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by
this section, by the date that is 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall submit,
by such date, a report that includes an explanation of why
those activities have not been implemented and a description of
any legislative changes that are necessary to allow for the
implementation of such activities.
SEC. 6. LOAN DEFERMENT FOR BORROWERS PERFORMING MILITARY SERVICE AND
CERTAIN SPOUSES OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.
(a) FFEL Loans.--Section 428(b)(1)(M) (20 U.S.C. 1078(b)(1)(M)) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (v);
(2) in clause (iii), by striking ``the borrower--'' and all
that follows through ``described in subclause (I) or (II); or''
and inserting ``the borrower is performing eligible military
service, and for the 180-day period following the
demobilization date for such eligible military service;''; and
(3) by inserting after clause (iii) the following:
``(iv) not in excess of 180 days after the
effective movement date listed on the military
orders of a borrower's spouse if that spouse is
a member of the Armed Forces who has received
military orders for a permanent change of
station; or''.
(b) Direct Loans.--Section 455(f)(2) (20 U.S.C. 1087e(f)(2)) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E);
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``the borrower--'' and
all that follows through ``described in clause (i) or (ii);
or'' and inserting ``the borrower is performing eligible
military service, and for the 180-day period following the
demobilization date for such eligible military service;'' and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) any period not in excess of 180 days after
the effective movement date listed on the military
orders of a borrower's spouse if that spouse is a
member of the Armed Forces who has received military
orders for a permanent change of station; or''.
(c) Federal Perkins Loans.--
(1) Section 464(c)(2)(A) (20 U.S.C. 1087dd(c)(2)(A)) is
amended--
(A) by redesignating clauses (iv) and (v) as
clauses (v) and (vi), respectively;
(B) in clause (iii), by striking ``the borrower--''
and all that follows through ``described in subclause
(I) or (II);'' and inserting ``during which the
borrower is performing eligible military service, and
for the 180-day period following the demobilization
date for such eligible military service;''; and
(C) by inserting after clause (iii) the following:
``(iv) not in excess of 180 days after the
effective movement date listed on the military orders
of a borrower's spouse if that spouse is a member of
the Armed Forces who has received military orders for a
permanent change of station; or''.
(2) Section 465(a)(2)(D) (20 U.S.C. 1087ee(a)(2)(D)) is
amended by striking ``qualifies for special pay under section
310 of title 37, United States Code, as an area of
hostilities'' and inserting ``is eligible military service''.
(d) Definition.--Section 481(d) (20 U.S.C. 1088(d)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as
paragraphs (3) through (6), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Eligible military service.--The term `eligible
military service'--
``(A) in the case of a member of a regular
component of the Armed Forces, means full-time duty in
the Armed Forces, other than active duty for training
(as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States
Code);
``(B) in the case of a member of the reserve
components of the Armed Forces, means service on active
duty under a call or order to active duty under section
688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 12304 of
title 10, United States Code, or section 712 of title
14, United States Code;
``(C) in the case of a member of the Army National
Guard of the United States or Air National Guard of the
United States, means, in addition to service described
in subparagraph (B), full-time service--
``(i) in the National Guard of a State for
the purpose of organizing, administering,
recruiting, instructing, or training the
National Guard; or
``(ii) in the National Guard under section
502(f) of title 32, United States Code, when
authorized by the President or the Secretary of
Defense for the purpose of responding to a
national emergency declared by the President
and supported by Federal funds;
``(D) in the case of a servicemember who is a
commissioned officer of the Public Health Service or
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
active service; and
``(E) does not include any period during which an
individual--
``(i) was assigned full-time by the Armed
Forces to a civilian institution for a course
of education that was substantially the same as
established courses offered to civilians;
``(ii) serves as a cadet or midshipman at
one of the military service academies of the
United States; or
``(iii) serves under the provisions of
section 12103(d) of title 10, United States
Code, pursuant to an enlistment in the Army
National Guard or the Air National Guard, or as
a Reserve for service in the Army Reserve, Navy
Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps
Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve.''.
SEC. 7. PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS.
Section 455(m) (20 U.S.C. 1087e(m)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Lump sum payment.--For purposes of this subsection,
if a borrower has enrolled in a repayment plan described in
paragraph (1)(A) and makes a lump sum payment through a student
loan repayment program under section 2171 of title 10, United
States Code, or a similarly structured eligible repayment
program (as determined by the Secretary), the Secretary will
treat the borrower as having made a number of qualifying
payments equal to the lesser of--
``(A) the number, rounded to the nearest whole
number, equal to the quotient of--
``(i) such lump sum payment; divided by
``(ii) the monthly payment amount that the
borrower would have otherwise made under the
repayment plan described in paragraph (1)(A)
selected by the borrower; or
``(B) 12 payments.''.
SEC. 8. ACCRUAL OF INTEREST FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES SUBJECT TO
HOSTILE FIRE OR IMMINENT DANGER.
Section 455(o) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
this part and in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (4), the
Secretary shall not charge interest on a loan made to a
borrower under this part for which the first disbursement is
made on or after October 1, 2008, during the period in which a
borrower who is performing eligible military service (as
defined in section 481(d)) is serving in an area of hostilities
in which service qualifies for special pay under section 310 of
title 37, United States Code.'';
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) Implementation of accrual of interest provision for
members of the armed forces.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into
any necessary agreements, including agreements with the
Commissioner of Revenue and the Secretary of Defense--
``(i) to ensure that interest does not
accrue for borrowers described in paragraph
(1), in accordance with this subsection; and
``(ii) to obtain or provide any information
necessary to implement clause (i) without
requiring a request from the borrower.
``(B) Reports.--
``(i) Plan.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of the enactment of the Servicemember
Higher Education Protection Act, the Secretary
shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report that includes a plan to
implement the accrual of interest provision
described in subparagraph (A).
``(ii) Follow-up report.--If the Secretary
has not implemented the accrual of interest
provision described in subparagraph (A) by the
date that is 1 year after the date of enactment
of the Servicemember Higher Education
Protection Act, the Secretary shall submit, by
such date, a report that includes an
explanation of why such provision has not been
implemented and a description of any
legislative changes that are necessary to allow
for the implementation of such provision.'';
and
(3) in paragraph (4), by striking ``who qualifies as an
eligible military borrower under this subsection'' and
inserting ``described in paragraph (1)''.
SEC. 9. NATIONAL STUDENT LOAN DATA SYSTEM.
(a) Amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965.--Subsection (h)
of section 485B (20 U.S.C. 1092b(h)) is amended to read as follows:
``(h) Integration of Databases.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall integrate the
National Student Loan Data System with the Federal Pell Grant
applicant and recipient databases as of January 1, 1994, and
any other databases containing information on participation in
programs under this title.
``(2) Department of defense information.--
``(A) In general.--In order to incorporate the
military and veteran status of borrowers into the
National Student Loan Data System, the Secretary shall
integrate the National Student Loan Data System with
information from--
``(i) the Department of Defense, including
the Defense Manpower Data Center; and
``(ii) the Department of Veterans Affairs,
including data about veterans who are eligible
for educational assistance under laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs.
``(B) Memoranda of understanding.--The Secretary
shall enter into any memoranda of understanding or
other agreements that are necessary to carry out this
paragraph.''.
(b) Reports.--
(1) Plan.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that
includes a plan to implement the Department of Defense data
integration provision described under section 485B(h)(2) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by this section.
(2) Follow-up report.--If the Secretary of Education has
not implemented the Department of Defense data integration
provision described under section 485B(h)(2) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965, as amended by this section, by the date
that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Education shall submit, by such date, a report
that includes an explanation of why such provision has not been
implemented and a description of any legislative changes that
are necessary to allow for the implementation of such
provision.
SEC. 10. PROGRAM PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS.
Section 487(a) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(30) In the case of an institution that enrolls during an
academic year more than 100 students who are veterans, the
institution shall certify that the institution has developed
and implemented a plan to ensure the success of veterans at
that institution. To the extent practicable, the institution
shall make the plan, and associated policies, public and
accessible to students who are veterans. Such plan shall
include the following:
``(A) The designation of certain faculty or staff
at the institution who will serve as a point of contact
for veterans--
``(i) within campus offices, including the
admissions office; and
``(ii) during any orientation process for
newly enrolled students.
``(B) The establishment of a working group that
will be responsible for veterans' issues.
``(C) A description of disability services that are
available to meet the needs of disabled students who
are veterans.
``(D) A plan for how the institution will identify
students who are veterans through the application
process, or through other processes, to provide better
assistance in the receipt of educational assistance
under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs or the Secretary of Defense.
``(E) A description of how the institution will
evaluate and maximize the number of credits students
can receive from military training and service.''.
SEC. 11. EXTENDING THE PROTECTIONS FOR STUDENT LOANS FOR ACTIVE DUTY
BORROWERS.
Section 493D (20 U.S.C. 1098f) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``and protections
for active duty borrowers'' before the period at the end;
(2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
``(b) Use of Information.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall utilize information
the Secretary receives regarding the active duty status of
borrowers from the Secretary of Defense for any purpose under
this title to ensure that the interest rate charged on any loan
made under part D of title IV for borrowers who are subject to
section 207(a)(1) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50
U.S.C. App. 527(a)(1)) does not exceed the maximum interest
rate set forth in such section.
``(2) SCRA interest rate limitation notice requirements.--
The submittal by the Secretary of Defense to the Secretary of
Education of information that informs the Secretary of
Education that an individual with a student loan under part D
of title IV has been or is being called to military service (as
defined in section 101 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
(50 U.S.C. 511)) shall be considered, for purposes of
subjecting such student loan to the provisions of section 207
of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 527),
provision by the borrower to the creditor of written notice and
a copy of military orders as described in subsection (b)(1) of
such section.
``(3) Procedures.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of the Servicemember Higher Education Protection
Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Department of
Defense, shall establish a procedure to implement this
subsection.''.
SEC. 12. MODIFICATION OF LIMITATION ON RATE OF INTEREST ON STUDENT
LOANS DURING AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER PERIOD OF MILITARY
SERVICE.
(a) Extension of Period of Applicability of Limitation on Rate of
Interest on Student Loans Incurred Before Service.--Section 207(a)(1)
of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 527(a)(1)) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``or a student loan''
after ``nature of a mortgage''; and
(2) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ``on debt
incurred before service'' after ``Limitation to 6 percent''.
(b) Debt Entered Into During Military Service To Consolidate or
Refinance Student Loans Incurred Before Military Service.--Subsection
(a) of section 207 of such Act (50 U.S.C. App. 527) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
(3) and (4), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
paragraph (2):
``(2) Limitation to 6 percent on debt incurred during
service to consolidate or refinance student loans incurred
before service.--An obligation or liability bearing interest at
a rate in excess of 6 percent per year that is incurred by a
servicemember, or the servicemember and the servicemember's
spouse jointly, during military service to consolidate or
refinance one or more student loans incurred by the
servicemember before such military service shall not bear an
interest at a rate in excess of 6 percent during the period of
military service and one year thereafter.'';
(3) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by paragraph (1) of
this subsection, by inserting ``or (2)'' after ``paragraph
(1)''; and
(4) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by striking
``paragraph (2)'' and inserting ``paragraph (3)''.
(c) Implementation of Limitation.--Subsection (b) of such section
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the interest rate
limitation in subsection (a)'' and inserting ``an interest rate
limitation in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a)''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``as of
date of order to active duty''; and
(B) by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``in the case of an obligation or liability
covered by subsection (a)(1), or as of the date the
servicemember (or servicemember and spouse jointly)
incurs the obligation or liability concerned under
subsection (a)(2)''.
(d) Student Loan Defined.--Subsection (d) of such section is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Student loan.--The term `student loan' means the
following:
``(A) A Federal student loan made, insured, or
guaranteed under title IV of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).
``(B) A private student loan as that term is
defined in section 140(a) of the Truth in Lending Act
(15 U.S.C. 1650(a)).''.
SEC. 13. WORKING GROUP ON IMPROVEMENT OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS
OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THEIR SPOUSES IN USING TUITION
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
(a) Working Group Required.--The Secretary of Defense, the
Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the
Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection shall jointly,
and in consultation with the heads of such other departments and
agencies of the Federal Government as such officials consider
appropriate, establish and maintain a working group to assess and
improve the resources available to education service officers and other
personnel of the Federal Government who provide assistance to members
of the Armed Forces and their spouses in using or seeking to use the
tuition assistance programs of the Department of Defense.
(b) Resources.--In improving resources as described in subsection
(a), the working group shall provide for the inclusion of the following
in such resources:
(1) Information on the benefits and protections for members
of the Armed Forces and their dependents provided in this Act
and the amendments made by this Act.
(2) Consumer information, resources, and tools created and
maintained by the working group pursuant to this section.
(3) Information on the availability of consumer protection
measures, including the complaint system established pursuant
to Executive Order 13607 (77 Fed. Reg. 25861; relating to
establishing principles of excellence for educational
institutions serving servicemembers, veterans, spouses, and
other family members).
(4) Such other information or resources as the working
group considers appropriate.
SEC. 14. EXCEPTION FOR SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT.
Section 428(d) (20 U.S.C. 1078(d)) is amended by striking ``section
207 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 527)'' and
inserting ``the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 501 et
seq.)''.
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Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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