Several higher education groups have joined together in support of the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. The bipartisan companion of this bill, H.R. 6322, passed the House last week and included provisions such as:
- ability for VA to continue to pay VA work study allowances to veterans, even if their campuses are shut down and/or veterans are unable to reach their place of employment;
- expansion of provisions in current law to ensure that veterans can receive an additional monthly housing allowance payment if their institution closes due to COVID-19;
- clarification that veterans can have their education entitlements – normally limited to 36 months – restored if their campus closes or the veteran needs to withdraw due to the COVID-19 emergency; and
- ability for veterans who are currently enrolled and approaching their delimiting date (the date on which their benefits would expire) to apply to VA for an extension.
Several institutions of higher education, including SLCC, are waiting on further guidance once the legislation passes the Senate. Please continue to check with the VA Office and the SLCC website for updates. Additionally, The Office of Financial Aid has created a Veteran’s Affairs Q&A which can be found here along with other important financial aid information.