By Austen Erblat, Sun Sentinel

Congresswoman Lois Frankel introduced a bipartisan bill March 11 that, if passed, will create support centers in colleges and universities across the country for veterans transitioning from military to civilian life.

The bill, H.R. 1652, also called the Veterans Education Empowerment Act, was introduced by Frankel, a Democratic congresswoman representing Florida’s 21st congressional district — which includes Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Greenacres, Wellington and other neighboring communities — and Gus Bilirakis, a Republican congressman representing Florida’s 12th congressional district that includes all of Pasco and northern parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

“I have personally visited many schools that offer Veteran Student Centers, and spoken with the veterans who utilize them,” Bilirakis said in a news release. “The veterans confirm that the enhanced services and specialized resources provided through the centers are invaluable as they seek to successfully reintegrate into civilian society.”

If passed, the bill will provide “assistance with special admissions and transfer of credit from previous postsecondary education or experience and any other support services the institution or consortium determines to be necessary to ensure the success of veteran students in achieving education and career goals.”

Each grant would be $500,000 or less to any given institution and be for a four-year period.

Over 1 million veterans attend institutions of higher education each year, according to the bill, which seeks to help veterans overcome challenges of transitioning that can include age differences, family obligations, significant time away from academic life and service-related disabilities.

“I’m proud to once again work with my colleague and good friend, Rep. Lois Frankel, on this legislation to encourage the establishment of more Veteran Student Centers around the country,” Bilirakis said.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the number of veterans enrolling in college is on the rise. From 2009 to 2013, the number doubled from about 500,000 to over 1 million.

“The brave men and women who sacrifice so much for our freedom deserve opportunities to succeed when they re-enter civilian life,” Frankel said in the news release. “Veteran Student Centers will give student veterans the support they need on their path to a new career.”