Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021

Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021

This bill expands eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance and addresses other Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits. Specifically, the bill expands the type of duty that is eligible for such educational assistance.

Beginning on August 1, 2025, types of duty eligible for educational assistance benefits include (1) active duty for training performed by a member of the Armed Forces on or after this date, and (2) active duty for training occurring before this date only if the individual is a member on or after this date. Furthermore, beginning on August 1, 2032, duty eligible for these benefits includes active or inactive duty training performed by a member of the Armed Forces before, on, or after August 1, 2032.

Educational assistance eligibility for individuals who performed qualifying types of duty as provided in the bill before August 1, 2025, expires on the latter of (1) August 1, 2040, or (2) the end of the 15-year period after their discharge or release from the Armed Forces. For individuals who performed such duty on or after August 1, 2025, educational assistance eligibility does not expire. Furthermore, the bill provides for the expiration of eligibility applicable to individuals subject to two different periods of eligible duty.

The bill also makes adjustments to certain loan fees under the VA home loan program, including the fee for an interest rate reduction refinancing loan.

Additionally, the VA must provide information to new veterans that includes a description of the medical care, services, and other benefits they are entitled to through the VA.

Bill 117 HR 1836, also known as the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021, aims to provide equal educational benefits to members of the National Guard and Reserve as those received by active duty service members under the GI Bill. The bill seeks to address disparities in benefits between these groups, ensuring that all service members have access to the same educational opportunities.

Specifically, the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021 would allow National Guard and Reserve members who have been activated for federal service to accrue eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the same rate as active duty service members. This means that Guard and Reserve members would receive the same amount of educational benefits for the same amount of service time as their active duty counterparts.

The bill also aims to expand eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program, which helps cover the cost of tuition and fees that exceed the GI Bill's maximum benefit amount. This expansion would allow Guard and Reserve members to access this additional financial assistance for their education. Overall, the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021 seeks to ensure that all service members, regardless of their status, have equal access to educational benefits under the GI Bill. This legislation aims to support the educational goals of National Guard and Reserve members who have served their country and deserve the same opportunities for higher education as active duty service members.