Modern GI Bill Act

House Bill

H.R. 967

119th Congress

Modern GI Bill Act

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 4, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Cynthia M. Lummis

Senator

Republican

WY

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Summary

The Modern GI Bill Act allows veterans entitled to Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits to use those benefits to repay federal student loans for up to 36 months. It sets annual caps on assistance amounts with cost-of-living increases starting in FY2026. This provides veterans flexibility to address existing student debt rather than only future education.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Modern GI Bill Act allows veterans entitled to Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits to use those benefits to repay federal student loans for up to 36 months. It sets annual caps on assistance amounts with cost-of-living increases starting in FY2026. This provides veterans flexibility to address existing student debt rather than only future education.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Modern GI Bill ActThis bill authorizes individuals who are entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to apply amounts of such assistance to repay federal student loans for up to 36 months.The bill sets a cap and annual cost-of-living increases for the amount of educational assistance that may be paid to an individual under this bill during FY2026 and the following years.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Allows GI Bill benefits for federal student loan repayment
Up to 36 months of loan repayment assistance
Expands flexibility of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits
Annual caps with cost-of-living adjustments
Addresses veterans who already have student debt
Begins FY2026

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Many veterans took on student loans before or during military service and now have GI Bill benefits they cannot use for past education. This bill recognizes that reducing existing debt may be more valuable than funding additional education for some veterans. It provides meaningful financial relief while honoring the earned education benefit. Veterans would still need to choose between loan repayment and traditional educational use of their benefits.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Subjects

Government lending and loan guarantees

Higher education

Student aid and college costs

Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

967, 119th Congress (2025). "Modern GI Bill Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-967