From: Veterans Education Success
Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:01 PM ET
To: Senate HELP Committee
Subject: Say “No” to Cutting Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits & Wasting $1.6 Billion

Good afternoon.

At a time when Congress is working to reduce spending, we would like to draw your attention to two provisions in the House Education and Workforce’s reconciliation bill that will hurt service members, veterans, and military families:  Repealing the “90/10 Rule” will hurt veterans while also costing the government an eye-popping $1.6 billion, and changing the definition of “full time” will likely inadvertently slash Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for hundreds of thousands of student veterans.

90/10 Rule Protects Veterans

Repealing the “90/10 Rule” ignores the unified voices of America’s veterans, military, and survivors organizations that have urged Congress to support the “90/10 Rule” and rolls back years of GOP leadership and bipartisan work to protect veterans and prevent federal funds from propping up failing colleges that can’t attract non-federal support.

At a time when Congress is scouring the budget for savings, this special-interest provision adds $1.6 billion in wasteful and unnecessary spending.

We urge you to NOT include a repeal of the common-sense “90/10 Rule” in the Senate’s version of the reconciliation bill.

Below are news articles showing the growing pushback from military and veterans groups regarding 90/10:

  • VETS GROUPS RAIL AGAINST MEGABILL PROPOSAL (Politico)
  • For-Profit Colleges Would Be Freed to Scam Veterans Again Under GOP Bill, Advocates Say (Military.com)
  • Betraying veterans on education: Congress is opening the gates for predators to profit (Stars and Stripes OpEd)

New “Full-Time” Definition Could Gut GI Bill Housing Benefit for Vets

Additionally, the proposed changes in the House reconciliation bill could unintentionally reduce Post-9/11 GI Bill housing benefits by up to $1,300/month for hundreds of thousands of student veterans. Veterans count on these housing benefits; cutting them would be devastating.

Raising the “full-time” course load definition from 12 to 15 credits affects student veterans, whose GI Bill housing allowance is tied to their enrollment status. Student veterans are typically older, with jobs and families, so they often take fewer credits.

In order to determine the amount of a veteran’s GI Bill housing allowance, VA generally defers to a college’s definition of full-time enrollment, but the House bill would likely force many colleges to reset their full-time/part-time thresholds to match the new federal definition.

Consequently, veterans taking fewer than 15 credits will likely see their GI Bill housing allowance reduced. This chart shows how the proposed changes would harm student veterans at various enrollment levels.

Course Load (Units) Monthly Housing Allowance Avg (Current) Monthly Housing Allowance Avg (Proposed) Cuts to Veterans (Monthly) Cuts to Veterans (Yearly)
15 $2,237 $2,237 $0 $0
14 $2,237 $2,088 -$149 -$1,342
13 $2,237 $1,939 -$298 -$2,684
12 $2,237 $1,790 -$447 -$4,027
11 $2,051 $1,640 -$410 -$3,691
10 $1,864 $1,491 -$373 -$3,356
9 $1,678 $1,342 -$336 -$3,020
8 $1,491 $1,193 -$298 -$2,684
7 $1,305 $0 -$1,305 -$11,744

 

We urge you to ensure that the Senate reconciliation bill does not include provisions that would unintentionally harm student veterans.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss our concerns about the House version and explore ways to protect those who’ve served. Please let us know a convenient time for a brief conversation.

Thank you for your time and consideration.