Today, Lois Frankel (FL-22), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), and Mark Takano (CA-41) re-introduced the Veterans Education Empowerment Act, legislation that would allow the Department of Education to help create Veteran Student Centers.

“The men and women who risk their lives for our freedom deserve an opportunity to succeed when they reenter civilian life. Veteran Student Centers will help provide student veterans with the support they need to transition to college, on their path to a new career,” said Congresswoman Frankel.

“Enhancing educational opportunities for our Veterans is an integral aspect of their reintegration into civilian life. Grants allowing for the establishment and maintenance of Veteran Student Centers would only aid in that effort. Veterans returning home have earned educational benefits, and Congress should do everything it can to ensure Veterans can receive the resources to pursue the education and skills necessary to successfully start a new chapter after their service has ended. I am proud to support a bill that would do just that,” said Congressman Bilirakis

“Far too many veterans have difficulty transitioning back into our higher education system. When these challenges are compounded with a number of others that veterans typically face, they are more likely to drop out of these institutions and limit their opportunities. With the Veterans Education Empowerment Act, colleges and universities will be eligible for grants that would implement Veteran Student Centers, which would exist for the sole purpose of serving and supporting the veteran students, making their time at these institutions much easier. As veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan continue to return, we should be doing all we can to support their transition and help give them the opportunities they deserve. I believe that this legislation is a good first step and I look forward to its passage,” said Congressman Takano.

The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes and improves a grant program through the Department of Education for colleges and universities to implement Veteran Student Centers. Institutions enrolling a significant number of student veterans would be eligible for these grants, which would be capped at $500,000 per school.

Often student veterans face unique challenges when enrolling in college. Some have been away from school for long periods, are older than their peers, have families to support, or struggle with service-related disabilities. These hurdles often lead talented veterans to drop out of school before graduating and limit potential job opportunities. Veteran Student Centers would help student veterans obtain federal and state benefits, succeed in school, and find a job after graduation.

Last year’s version of the Veterans Education Empowerment Act was endorsed by over a dozen veteran service organizations including the Student Veterans of America, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Mission United, and Veterans’ Trust.

In addition to introducing this bill today, as a strong advocate for improving the lives of our nation's veterans Congresswoman Frankel is hosting tomorrow night a bipartisan panel discussion on the service and sacrifice of disabled veterans followed by a screening of Debt of Honor at the Capitol Visitor Center Theater North.  For more information on the panel discussion and documentary screening, click here.

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