SVA_Logo
Student Veterans of America®  |  News
SVA_Logo
About Us
Mission & Vision
History
Our Team
Work For SVA
Partners & Supporters
News
Financials
Contact Us
Chapters
Find A Chapter
Establish A Chapter
Chapter Guide
Introduction
Chapter Onboarding
Chapter Officers
Chapter Operations
Chapter Relationships
Chapter Programming
Chapter Communications
Chapter Marketing & Branding
Chapter Development
Chapter Resources
Update Chapter Contact Info
Alumni
Programs & Events
National Conference
Washington Week
Regional Summits
Visibility Exchange
The Leadership Institute
Scholarships
SVA Liaisons
Career Services Liaisons
Disability Services Liaisons
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Liaisons
Policy Liaisons
Honors Awards
Volunteer Service
VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship
Research
Featured Projects & Publications
Life Cycle Atlas
Veteran Opinion Survey
Financial Health Survey
Basic Needs Survey
SVA Census
NVEST
Million Records Project
Government Affairs
Campus Advocacy
Policy Suggestion Portal
Natural Disaster Map
In-State Tuition Map
Resident Tuition Overview
Success Hub
Advising Center
Career Center
Partner Directory
Resource Center
Student Resources
Give
Donate
SVA Store
Partner with SVA
SVA Ambassadors
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)
Participate in Research
MySVA Login
← Return to News

Rep. Levin, Ranking Member Takano Introduce Bipartisan Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act

03/11/2024

WASHINGTON, DC (March 11, 2024) – House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Levin (CA-49) has reintroduced the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2024(HR 7543) to ensure National Guard and Reservists servicemembers receive Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility for every day they spend in uniform.

The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act was also introduced in the 116th and 117th Congresses and passed the House in 2022 with bipartisan support. It ensures that Guard and Reservists receive credit for every day they spend in uniform in a federal duty status under Titles 10 or 32 for GI Bill purposes. This means every day conducting operations, training, attending military schools, conducting weekend drill and annual training requirements, or responding to national disasters would count towards earning the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

“All servicemembers, no matter whether they serve in the active or reserve components, deserve benefits for doing their jobs and risking their lives for our freedoms,” said Rep. Levin. “Our bill would ensure that servicemembers in the National Guard and Reserves, who spring into action during national emergencies at a moment’s notice, get crucial GI Bill benefits and that every day they spend in uniform counts toward those benefits. They deserve parity in their GI Bill benefits and nothing less.”

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Takano said, “I’m proud to partner with Rep. Mike Levin in reintroducing this long-overdue step towards genuine equity between our nation’s servicemembers. Through natural disasters, a global pandemic, and an insurrection, members of the Reserve Component have consistently supported our country through crises. Despite often working alongside Active Duty servicemembers, exercising the same responsibilities and taking on the same risks, Reserve Components benefits policy fails to reflect the shift from a Strategic Reserve to anOperational Reserve. This unfairly puts National Guard and Reserve Component servicemembers at a disadvantage when receiving benefits. By expanding eligibility for the educational assistance included in thePost-9/11 GI Bill, the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2024 guarantees members receive credit and benefits for every day they spend in uniform.”

The education benefits provided by the GI Bill date back to 1944. It serves as a critical tool in helping servicemembers transition back into civilian life and close the opportunity gap created by military service with their civilian peers. Reserve Component servicemembers have seen training and deployment requirements go up significantly in the Post-9/11 era as the National Guard and Reserves have become an Operational Reserve, resulting in many more days away from home and family, while also impacting their civilian careers. It is time their service is fully recognized with the Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility that they deserve.

Congress has previously addressed GI Bill inequities between Active Duty and Reserve Component servicemembers serving on the 12304B duty status, as well as those activated by the federal government to serve on the southern border. It was glaringly obvious that those servicemembers were doing the same job, enduring the same hardships, and taking the same risks as their Active Duty counterparts, yet they were not receiving the same benefits. The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2024 would universally address this inequity for all duty statuses.

Co-Chair of the House of Representatives’ National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus, Representative Trent Kelly said, “As we continue to honor and support our servicemembers, the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act represents a crucial step towards ensuring that VA education benefits align with the evolving nature of military service. This legislation ensures that all those in uniform, regardless of their duty status, have access to the education benefits they deserve. By adapting our policies to the changing landscape of military service, we affirm our commitment to providing comprehensive support for those who serve our country selflessly.”

“When you volunteer to wear our country’s uniform, you deserve the full and unwavering support of a grateful nation. I am proud to support this legislation to deliver our Guard and Reserve servicemembers the VA education benefits they earn every single day,” said Congressman Andy Kim, Co-Chair of the House of Representatives’ National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus. “For the National Guard and Reserve Components serving at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in my district and across the world, we must take this crucial step to close unfair equity gaps our servicemembers face and ensure we’re properly supporting the brave men and women who selflessly protect and defend our nation.”

Rep. Juan Ciscomani said, “Hundreds of thousands of men and women serve in the National Guard and National Guard Reserve; they deserve access to the same post-9/11 GI benefits as their active-duty counterparts. I look forward to working with Rep. Levin and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver for our veterans and servicemembers of all branches in the Armed Forces.”

In the Senate, The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act is sponsored by the Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senator Jerry Moran, and cosponsored by the Chairman, Senator Jon Tester.

“Generations of men and women who served our country relied on the GI Bill to help get an education, and today’s servicemembers have earned the same,” said Sen. Jon Tester, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Right now, too many deserving men and women aren’t eligible for GI Bill benefits, so our bipartisan legislation will ensure Guard and Reserve members who serve their country will get the educational benefits they’ve earned.”

“In recent years, the National Guard and Reserve component have been called on more than ever to serve on behalf of the federal government,” said Sen. Jerry Moran. “This legislation would make certain that guardsmen and reservists who are performing the same services as active duty servicemembers are eligible for the same GI Bill benefits. Every day in uniform is a day in service to this nation.”

The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act is sponsored in the House of Representatives by Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) and cosponsored by:

  • Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
  • Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03)
  • Rep. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06)
  • Rep. Mark Takano (CA-49)
  • Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (MP)
  • Rep. Frank Mrvan (IN-01)
  • Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04)
  • Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17)
  • Rep. Derrick Van Order (WI-03)

The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act has the support of:

– The Veterans of Foreign Wars

– The American Legion

– Student Veterans of America

– National Guard Association of the United States

– The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States

– The Reserve Organization of America.

– The Military Officers Association of America

– The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

– Veteran Education Success

These Veteran Service Organizations provided the following statements:

“Education is one of the greatest investments we can make in our servicemembers and their future,” saidretired Maj Gen. Francis M. McGinn, NGAUS president. “The GI Bill has proven to be one of the most transformational policies for the force passed in the 20th century. It is far past time that this benefit apply equally to the active and reserve components. We thank the House and Senate committees for recognizing this as an issue and for your work to create parity.”

“The National Guard and Reserve play an indispensable role in various operations, including disaster relief efforts, homeland security missions, and overseas deployments. Their flexibility and readiness are crucial in responding to natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, providing essential support to affected communities,” said Tammy Barlet, Vice President of Government Affairs, with Student Veterans of America (SVA). “The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2024 is a crucial piece of legislation that addresses a longstanding disparity in educational benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserve components of the U.S. Military. Ultimately, it honors the commitment of these servicemembers by affording them the opportunity to pursue higher education and achieve their career goals. We thank Ranking Member Levin of the HVAC Economic Opportunity Subcommittee for his tireless work to make every day in uniform count the same for everyone who wears it.”

“When reserve component servicemembers perform the identical job and make the same sacrifices as their active duty counterparts, they should be recognized with the same benefits,” said Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, USAF (Ret), MOAA president and CEO. “The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act expands essential education benefits and acknowledges the reserve component’s essential contributions to our nation.”

“I stand firmly with our National Guard and Reserve members, advocating relentlessly for the passage of the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act. It is high time we recognized and rectified the disparities in benefits our service members face. There is no one around the globe performing more astronomical feats and sacrificing more for our way of life and the United States of America than our members of the National Guard,” said Master Sergeant (Retired) Daniel Reilly, President of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States. “When you look at the output of accomplishments, no onecan argue that. National Guard members are constantly putting themselves and their families in harm’s way by going head-on into global pandemics, domestic operations, natural disaster relief efforts, championing peace during civil unrest, protecting our nation by deploying overseas at extraordinary rates, working around the clock for border protection missions, creating enduring relationships that improve interoperability around the world through the State Partnership Program and combating fentanyl and other illicit drugs through the Counterdrug Program. The well-being and quality of life of those who dedicate themselves to our nation’s security must no longer be sidelined but made a top priority. This act is not just about fairness; it’s a testament to our commitment to ALL who serve. Let’s ensure our Guardsmen and Reservists receive the full benefits they rightfully deserve. It’s a matter of honor, respect, and duty.”

“The GI Bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation in American history. Unfortunately, members of the Reserve and National Guard face disadvantages in accessing its benefits,” said the Reserve Organization of America’s executive director, retired Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips. “The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act recognizes the increased demands placed on reserve servicemembers by ensuring every day in uniform counts towards Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility. ROA was pleased to see this bill pass the House in the 117th Congress and urges the 118th to send it to the president’s desk forsignature.”

“National Guard and Reserve members train alongside active duty service members and consistently make sacrifices without always earning the same VA education benefits. The VFW strongly supports the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2024 to ensure equity of benefits for Reserve component service members. This bill would allow any day in uniform receiving military pay to count toward Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility. For years, the sacrifices of Guard and Reserve service members have been overlooked in achieving GI Bill eligibility. The time is now for parity with all the armed forces in earning VA education benefits.” Kristina Keenan, Deputy Legislative Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars

“On behalf of our 1.6 million dues-paying members, The American Legion shares its full support of the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act. This timely legislation will ensure the contributions of our National Guard and Reserve Servicemembers earn the same education opportunities as their active-duty counterparts currently receive. Ensuring opportunity following service to country is a meaningful way to make strides to resolve our recruiting crisis. ” – John W. Bowen, Sr, Chairman of The American Legion National Veterans Employment & Education Commission

“TAPS fully endorses the Guard/Reserve GI Bill Parity Act. As an organization that was founded on the loss of a member of the Alaska National Guard, TAPS fully understands just how important our Guard and Reserve components are to military readiness. Every day in uniform should count towards GI Bill eligibility to ensure our Guard and Reserve members are eligible for the same benefits as their active duty counterparts.” –Bonnie Carroll, Founder & President, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

“We strongly support counting every day of military service towards earning education benefits, and we call on Congress to address this long overdue issue. It is time to pass the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act without delay.” –William Hubbard, Vice President for Veterans & Military Policy at Veterans Education Success

###

Honoring the Service of Student Veterans During Veterans Month

Student Veteran Robert Pryor’s Journey as a Dominion Energy Intern

Student Veterans of America's 2024 Leadership Institute

Student Veterans of America Receives Greater Texas Foundation Grant

Student Veterans of America Staff Seize the Summer

Student Veterans of America and RTX Announce 2024 RTX Patriot Scholarship Recipients

Student Veterans of America and RTX Announce 2024 RTX SPY-6 Scholarship Recipients

Partners, Press

Student Veterans of America and Google Announce 2024 Scholarship Recipients

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Summer 2024 Newsletter

Veteran and Military Family Groups Condemn Political Violence in Joint Statement

Student Veterans of America Launches Advising Center

Student Veterans of America's Memorial Day Acts of Service

Student Veterans of America and John Edelman Announce 2024 Scholarship Recipients

Student Veterans Win Big Across University Campuses

Jared Lyon Named to the George W. Bush Institute Advisory Council

FourBlock Veteran Career Readiness Program

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Spring 2024 Newsletter

Supreme Court ruling in Rudisill v. McDonough

Library of Congress Hosts a Vets Town Hall

Oregon Tech Visits Washington, D.C.

Chapman University visits Washington, D.C.

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Witner 2024 Newsletter

SVA Presents the Sonny Montgomery Student Veteran Champion and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Distinguished Public Service Awards

Washington Week 2024

Rep. Levin, Ranking Member Takano Introduce Bipartisan Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act

U.S Department of Veterans Affairs is Transitioning to Single Payment Bank Accounts

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Hosts Special Screening of Masters of the Air

SVA and WWP Living Works START course

SVA Announces New Outreach Coordinators

GWVets Visit the Department of State

How does a Government Shutdown Impact VA Education Benefits?

Introducing Student Veterans of America’s National Academic Advising Center

Student Veterans of America Announces 2023 Honors Awards Recipients

MLK Day of Service 2024

Events

Watch the 2024 State of Student Veterans of America

SVA Announces 2023 Honors Awards Finalists

Navigating Veterans Benefits: Your Guide to the Veterans Claims Clinic at NatCon 2024

NatCon 2024: Service Project, safeTalk Training, Morning Workouts, & more!

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Fall 2023 Newsletter

Join the Mission: Empower Student Veterans on GivingTuesday

Student Veterans of America Celebrates Veterans Month

SVA Chapter Activities During Veterans Month

Student Veterans of America is Recipient of $1 million Donation from The Walt Disney Company

Student Veterans of America 2023 Leadership Institute Professional Development Event

Student Veterans of America Annual Census Survey 2023

What does a Government Shutdown Mean for VA Education Benefits?

What to Know as Federal Student Loan Repayments Resume this Fall

Student Veterans of America and Boeing Host 2023 Regional Summit Conference

Blog

Want to Use VA Education Benefits Overseas? Plan First. Then Enroll.

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Summer 2023 Newsletter

Partners, Press

Student Veterans of America and Comcast NBCUniversal Announce 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Partners, Press

Student Veterans of America and John Edelman Announce 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Partners, Press

Student Veterans of America and Raytheon Technologies Announce 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Partners, Press

Student Veterans of America and Google Announce 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Advocacy

SVA Applauds Introduction of Legislation to Expand Readmission Protections for students in the National Guard and Reserve

Events

Student Veterans of America Commemorates Memorial Day with Acts of Service

Advocacy

Student Veterans of America Celebrates Introduction of VA Work-Study Legislation

Press

Student Veterans of America Update on Post 9/11 GI Bill MHA Delayed Payment for March 2023

Advocacy

Student Veterans of America testifies before the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans'

Partners

Student Veterans of America Provides FourBlock Veteran Career Readiness Program Marketing Toolkit

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Spring 2023 Newsletter

Advocacy

Student Veterans of America Testifies Before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

Advocacy

Tester, Boozman Bipartisan Bill Requires VA to Take a More Comprehensive Look at Veteran Suicide

Partners

Student Veterans of America Announces Formal Partnership with FourBlock 

Advocacy

Student Veterans of America Celebrates Major End-of-Year Policy Victories

Partners

Student Veterans of America 2023 NatCon Sponsor and Partner Recognition

Watch the 2023 State of Student Veterans of America

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Winter 2022 Newsletter

Advocacy

VA Delays New Enrollment Manager System to Reduce Impact on Student Veterans

Newsletter

Student Veterans of America Fall 2022 Newsletter

Advocacy

Federal Government Announces New Actions on Student Loan Debt

Advocacy

Student Veterans of America PACT Act Status Update

Advocacy

Student Veterans of America Presents Testimony on Pending Legislation Before the HVAC EO

Press

Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Student Veterans of America Announce 2022 Patriot Scholarship Recipients

Advocacy

ED to Accept DD-214s in Certifying Military Service for Public Student Loan Forgiveness

Press

Student Veterans of America Receives $8 Million Grant from MacKenzie Scott

Press

Student Veterans of America Names Three Board Members, Including Current Student and Recent Graduate

Events

Watch the 2022 State of Student Veterans of America

Events

Student Veterans of America 2022 NatCon Honors Award Recipients

Events

Student Veterans of America Awards Inaugural Senator Bob Dole Continued Service Award to Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation

Events

Media Advisory: Student Veterans of America (SVA) 2022 National Conference

Advocacy

COVID-19 Protections Extended and Rounding Out Restored

Events

Student Veterans of America Honors: Meet our Finalists

Advocacy

COVID-19 Benefit Protections and Rounding Out: Updates for Student Veterans

Press

Student Veterans of America NatCon 2022: Registration is Open!

Advocacy

What the New PSLF Changes Mean for Service Members and Veterans 

Press

Student Veterans of America Joins MTV Entertainment’s Mental Health Youth Action Forum

Press

Rutgers CMSI and Student Veterans of America Partner to Support Student Veterans at MSIs

Partners

Student Veterans of America Alumni Participates in Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship

Press

Student Veterans of America Joins Welcome.US

Partners

Comcast NBCUniversal and Student Veterans of America Announce 2021 Scholarship Recipients

Press

Student Veterans of America Applications Open for 2022 VFW, SVA Legislative Fellowship

Blog

Current Events in Afghanistan: What can Chapter Leaders do to Help?  

Blog

Student Veterans of America Message to Our Community in Response to Current Events in Afghanistan

Advocacy

VHA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Listening Sessions for Veterans

Advocacy

Appropriations Brief: Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Education  

Advocacy

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Press

Student Veterans of America Announces 2021 Google Scholarship Recipients

Blog

Meet the Student Veterans of America Programs & Services Team

Advocacy

Court: Veterans with Multiple Periods of Service Entitled to Additional GI Bill Benefits

Events

Stay Engaged this Summer with Student Veterans of America Chapter Events

Advocacy

Refresh of Higher Education Regulations Announced

Press

Student Veterans of America Names Two New Board Members

Advocacy

What Revitalizing America’s Infrastructure Could Mean for Student Veterans 

Press

Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Student Veterans of America Announce 2021 SPY-6 Scholarship Recipients

Advocacy

House Approves Several Student Veterans of America Policy Priorities

Partners

Veteran Wellness Alliance Offers Trusted Care Through Check-In

Press

Student Veterans of America Joins First National Mental Health Action Day

Events

Student Veterans of America Joins Vietnam War Commemorative Partners

Advocacy

Top Ten Takeaways: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

Events

Watch the 2021 State of Student Veterans of America

Events

2021 Student Veterans of America Honors Award Recipients

Events

The 2021 Student Veterans of America Honors Gala: Meet our Finalists

Blog, COVID-19

COVID-19 FAQs

Advocacy

What the CARES Act Means for Student Veterans, Service Members, and their Families

Events

Join Student Veterans of America for the National Day of Service

Advocacy, COVID-19

Final Bills of the 116th Congress

Advocacy, COVID-19

Major Veteran Legislation Clears Congress

Press

Student Veterans of America Statement on VA Office of Inspector General Report

Events

Student Veterans of America NatCon Returns: February 19-20

Events

GVSU Announces Veteran Promise

Events

Student Veterans of America Debuts Public Service Announcement

Events

SVA President Jared Lyon Delivers Veterans Day Remarks

Events

How to Stream Veterans Day Events

Advocacy

#VOTE Like a Veteran

Events

Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Student Veterans of America Announce 2020 Patriot Scholarship Recipients

Events

Jared Lyon Named 2020 NYC Veterans Day Grand Marshal

Advocacy

Volunteer to Power The Polls

Advocacy, COVID-19

Pandemic Assistance for Student Veterans Act Introduced

Events

Veterans Day on Your Campus: Virtual Event Ideas

Events

Student Veterans of America Leadership Institute Applications Open

Advocacy

Moving Beyond Patchwork Systems: The Future of Education Services IT

Events

Student Veterans of America Regional Summit Starts on September 26th

Advocacy

Legislative Updates: Fall 2020

Research

Survey Finds 96% of Student Veterans Will Vote

Partners

Apply for the Raytheon Patriot Scholarship

Partners

Resources for Student Veterans During COVID-19

Events

Watch Home with the Brave: A Graduation Salute

SVA

655 15th Street NW, Suite 320
Washington, D.C. 20005
Telephone: (202) 223-4710

About Us Contact Donate
Programs & Events Research Government Affairs
Chapters Success Hub News
Financials Privacy Policy Terms of Use
© 2024 Student Veterans of America® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Publicity Statement: SVA hosts and attends many events and gatherings throughout the year. As part of SVA’s ongoing communication about these activities, photos and/or videos from those events may be posted on SVA’s website and/or social media pages. It is possible that an individual may appear in these photos and/or videos. Please contact SVA if you would like to have your picture or video removed. Upon receipt of this notification, SVA will remove the image as soon as viable.