Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Support Student Veterans, Strengthen VA Work Study Program

Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Support Student Veterans, Strengthen VA Work Study Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (D-MD) introduced the bipartisan Veterans Affairs Work Study Improvement Act. Introduced on the eve of Veterans Day - a time to honor the selfless service of veterans and their families in defending our country - this bill modernizes and expands the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) work-study program to better position student veterans for future employment.

The VA Work Study program allows veterans to earn money while enrolled in an institution of higher education, vocational or professional program. Participants gain paid work experience while furthering their education.

However, the program has gone years without a comprehensive update. For example, the VA Work-Study program limits the types of positions a student veteran can hold and does not permit payment at local minimum wage rates. The program is also reliant on slow and outdated paper systems. Moreover, VA Work Study data and metrics are not regularly reported nor publicly available, creating boundaries in assessing the program's success.

The VA Work Study Improvement Act would require the VA to implement several reforms to maximize the positive impact on student veterans by:

• Expanding qualified VA Work Study activities to include jobs at nonprofit and state agencies that either directly, or indirectly, benefit veterans or the U.S. military.
• Allowing VA Work Study participants to be paid whichever is higher between federal employee, state, or local minimum wages.
• Permitting electronic timesheet recording, in addition to the current paper-based system.
• Requiring the annual publication of VA Work Study data.

"On Veterans Day, we not only express our gratitude for the stewardship of our military and their families, but we must match our words with action," said Congresswoman McClain Delaney. "The VA Work Study program cannot be left behind. With commonsense reforms, the program can reach its full potential for the betterment of our veterans, and their educational and professional goals after service. Our veterans stepped up and fought for our country - with the VA Work Study Improvement Act, we're fighting for them."

The Student Veterans of America endorsed the bill.

"Student Veterans of America strongly welcomes the reintroduction of the VA Work Study Improvement Act. Modernizing the VA Work Study program is long overdue, and this bill moves us closer to a reality where participants are better served through stronger alignment with their academic and professional goals. It would also increase pay, modernize the timekeeping process, and require VA to report detailed information about how the program supports participants. SVA thanks Representatives McClain Delaney, and Fitzpatrick for their continued leadership in shaping a future where every veteran can succeed through higher education," said Vice President of Government Affairs Tammy Barlet.

Cosponsors include: Budzinski (D-IL), Carson (D-IN), Clarke (D-NY), Craig (D-MN), Cohen (D-TN), Fields (D-LA), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), S. Garcia (D-TX), Gottheimer (D-NJ), Horsford (D-NV), H. Johnson (D-GA), Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Larsen (D-WA), McClellan (D-VA), McGarvey (D-KY), McIver (D-NJ), Moulton (D-MA), Norton (D-DC), Olszewski (D-MD), Simon (D-CA), Titus (D-NV), Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Whitesides (D-CA), N. Williams (D-GA)

View full text of the legislation.