Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act
Plain Language Summary
# Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act Summary **What It Does** This bill makes it easier for military veterans to access additional scholarship funding for STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and healthcare degrees. Currently, veterans can receive up to nine months of extra educational benefits (worth up to $30,000) through the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship if they meet certain requirements. The bill removes one major restriction: veterans no longer need to have almost exhausted their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to qualify.
It also reduces the number of college credits veterans must have already completed before applying—cutting the requirement by 25%—making the scholarship accessible earlier in their education. **Who It Affects and Current Status** This change primarily affects veterans pursuing STEM or healthcare degrees who use the Post-9/11 GI Bill, a major education benefit for service members. The bill has already passed the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration. The legislation aims to encourage more veterans to pursue fields in high demand while making the application process less restrictive.
CRS Official Summary
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity ActThis bill expands eligibility for and modifies administration of the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship. The scholarship allows individuals who are entitled to Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance and are pursuing eligible degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or health care to receive up to nine additional months of benefits (capped at $30,000).The bill eliminates the requirement that an individual must have less than 180 days of remaining educational assistance entitlement (or no entitlement remaining) to be eligible for the scholarship.Additionally, the bill reduces by 25% the number of credits an individual must have completed in order to be eligible for the scholarship.In situations where there are insufficient funds available in a fiscal year, the bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to give priority to individuals who have used the most months of their educational assistance entitlement and those who are using their entitlement to pursue a program of post-secondary education in specified fields (e.g., engineering).The bill specifies that individuals who receive the scholarship benefit may only use the benefit after they have used all of their educational assistance entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.