Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veteran Education Empowerment Act.

Sec. 2. Findings

Congress finds the following:

Sec. 3. Grant program to establish, maintain, and improve Student Veteran Centers

Part T of title VIII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161t) is amended to read as follows:

T Grants for Student Veteran Centers

873. Grants for Student Veteran Centers

(a) Grants authorized

Subject to the availability of appropriations under subsection (h), the Secretary shall award grants to institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions of higher education to assist in the establishment, maintenance, improvement, and operation of Student Veteran Centers.

(b) Eligibility

(1) Application

An institution or consortium seeking a grant under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(2) Criteria

(A) In General

The Secretary may award a grant under subsection (a) to an institution or a consortium if the institution or consortium meets each of the following criteria:

(i)

The institution or consortium enrolls in undergraduate or graduate courses—

(I)

a significant number of student veterans, members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty, or members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces; or

(II)

a significant percentage of student veterans, members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty, or members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces.

(ii)

The institution or consortium presents a sustainability plan to demonstrate that the Student Veteran Center will be maintained and will continue to operate after the grant period has ended.

(B) Measuring significant numbers or percentages

The numbers and percentages described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be measured by comparing, for the most recent academic year for which data are available, the number or percentage of student veterans, members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty, and members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate courses at the institution or consortium, with the average number or percentage of student veterans, members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty, and members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who were enrolled in undergraduate or graduate courses at comparable institutions or consortia of institutions.

(3) Selection criteria

(A) Priority

In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority consideration to institutions or consortia that meet one or more of the following criteria:

(i)

The institution or consortium is located in a region or community that has a significant population of veterans.

(ii)

The institution or consortium carries out programs or activities that assist veterans in the local community, and the spouses or partners and children of student veterans.

(iii)

The institution or consortium partners in its veteran-specific programming with nonprofit veteran service organizations, local workforce development organizations, or other institutions of higher education.

(iv)

The institution or consortium commits to hiring a staff at the Student Veteran Center that includes veterans (including student veteran volunteers and student veterans participating in a Federal work-study program under part C of title IV, a work-study program administered by the Secretary of Veteran Affairs, or a State work-study program).

(v)

The institution or consortium commits to providing an orientation for student veterans that—

(I)

is separate from the new student orientation provided by the institution or consortium; and

(II)

provides student veterans with information on the benefits and resources available to such students at or through the institution or consortium.

(vi)

The institution or consortium commits to using a portion of the grant received under this section to develop or maintain a student veteran retention program carried out by the Student Veteran Center.

(vii)

The institution or consortium commits to providing mental health counseling to its student veterans (and the spouses or partners and children of such students).

(B) Equitable distribution

In awarding grants under subsection (a) the Secretary shall ensure an equitable distribution of such grants to institutions or consortia of various sizes, geographic locations, and in urban and rural areas.

(c) Use of funds

(1) In general

An institution or consortium that is awarded a grant under subsection (a) shall use such grant to establish, maintain, improve, or operate a Student Veteran Center.

(2) Other allowable uses

An institution or consortium receiving a grant under subsection (a) may use a portion of such grant to carry out supportive instruction services for student veterans, including—

(A)

assistance with special admissions and transfer of credit from previous postsecondary education or experience; and

(B)

any other support services the institution or consortium determines to be necessary to ensure the success of student veterans in achieving education and career goals.

(d) Amounts awarded

(1) Duration

Each grant awarded under subsection (a) shall be for a 4-year period.

(2) Total amount of grant and schedule

Each grant awarded under subsection (a) may not exceed a total of $500,000. The Secretary shall disburse to an institution or consortium the amount awarded under the grant in such amounts and at such times during the grant period as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(e) Report

From the amounts appropriated to carry out this section, and not later than 3 years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the grant program established under subsection (a), including—

(1)

the number of grants awarded;

(2)

the institutions of higher education and consortia that have received grants;

(3)

with respect to each such institution of higher education and consortium—

(A)

the amounts awarded;

(B)

how such institution or consortium used such amounts;

(C)

a description of the demographics of student veterans (and spouses or partners and children of such students) to whom services were offered as a result of the award, including students who are women and belong to minority groups;

(D)

the number of student veterans (and spouses or partners and children of such students) to whom services were offered as a result of the award, and a description of the services that were offered and provided; and

(E)

data enumerating whether the use of the amounts awarded helped student veterans at the institution or consortium toward completion of a degree, certificate, or credential;

(4)

best practices for student veteran success, identified by reviewing data provided by institutions and consortia that received a grant under this section; and

(5)

a determination by the Secretary with respect to whether the grant program under this section should be extended or expanded.

(f) Department of Education best practices website

Subject to the availability of appropriations under subsection (h) and not later than 3 years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop and implement a website for Student Veteran Centers at institutions of higher education, which details best practices for serving student veterans at institutions of higher education.

(g) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Institution of higher education

The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101.

(2) Student Veteran Center

The term Student Veteran Center means a dedicated space on a campus of an institution of higher education that provides students who are veterans, members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty, or members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces with the following:

(A)

A lounge or meeting space for such student veterans (and the spouses or partners and children of such students), and veterans in the community.

(B)

A centralized office for student veteran services that—

(i)

is a single point of contact to coordinate comprehensive support services for student veterans;

(ii)

is staffed by trained employees and volunteers, which includes veterans and at least one full-time employee or volunteer who is trained as a veterans’ benefits counselor;

(iii)

provides student veterans with assistance relating to—

(I)

transitioning from the military to student life;

(II)

transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce;

(III)

networking with other student veterans and veterans in the community;

(IV)

understanding and obtaining benefits provided by the institution of higher education, Federal Government, and State for which such students may be eligible;

(V)

understanding how to succeed in the institution of higher education, including by understanding academic policies, the course selection process, and institutional policies and practices related to the transfer of academic credits; and

(VI)

understanding disability-related rights and protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794); and

(iv)

provides comprehensive academic and tutoring services for student veterans, including peer-to-peer tutoring and academic mentorship.

(h) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2027 and each of the 7 succeeding fiscal years.