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Legislative bills

Veterans Service Equity Act Introduced to Expand Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

U.S. Representatives Mike Levin and Katie Porter have introduced the Veteran Service Equity Act to expand the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program to individuals who work at Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs). Currently, most VSO workers do not qualify for public loan forgiveness because the PSLF program is generally limited to 501c3 organizations, disqualifying VSOs like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) that file under other tax codes. The act aims to close this loophole and ensure that all employees at VA-recognized VSOs qualify for the PSLF program.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Veteran Service Equity Act aims to expand the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to include employees of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs).
  • Currently, most VSO workers are disqualified from public loan forgiveness due to the PSLF program's limitation to 501c3 organizations.
  • The act would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include a full-time job with a veterans service organization as a public service job eligible for public service loan forgiveness.
  • Organizations like the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and American Legion have expressed support for the bill, recognizing the critical role VSOs play in supporting veterans.
  • The bill's introduction is a result of Representative Mike Levin's efforts as Chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, where he has fought to ensure that no veteran is left behind.
  • Levin has introduced and passed 18 bipartisan bills into law to support veterans, and this legislation is a continuation of his commitment to their well-being.

Statistics:

  • 18 bipartisan bills introduced and passed into law by Representative Mike Levin to support veterans.
  • Number of organizations supporting the bill: DAV, VFW, American Legion, The Enlisted Association (TREA).

Sources:

  • "Veteran Service Equity Act" introduced by Representatives Mike Levin and Katie Porter.
  • Quote from Representative Mike Levin: "Veterans Service Organizations play a critical role in supporting our brave veterans who have served our country. Their employees, who dedicate their careers to supporting our veterans, are true patriots and they ought to be treated like other public servants when it comes to public loan forgiveness."
  • Quote from Representative Katie Porter: "Making it easier for VSO workers to have their federal student loans forgiven honors their public service and supports our military community."
  • DAV National Commander Andrew Marshall's statement: "DAV supports the Veteran Service Equity Act, which will amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include a full-time job with a veterans service organization as a public service job eligible for public service loan forgiveness."
  • Emily DeVito, Associate Director, VFW National Legislative Service: "This bill will ensure individuals who work towards public service at Veterans Service Organizations, who help service members and veterans understand and receive the benefits they have earned and need, are eligible for public service loan forgiveness (PSLF)."
  • Paul E. Dillard, The American Legion National Commander: "The American Legion is proud to support the Veteran Service Equity Act to ensure VSO workers qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, and applaud Representative Levin and Representative Porter for their leadership on behalf of the men and women who dedicate their lives to supporting our veterans."
  • Justin Jump, President of The Enlisted Association (TREA): "The Veteran Service Equity Act closes this loophole and will provide VSO employees with, what we feel, should be an earned benefit of serving our nation's veterans."

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