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HR 5603 117th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Academic performance and assessments Aviation and airports Educational guidance Employment and training programs Higher education Licensing and registrations Student aid and college costs Transportation employees Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Protections for Student Veterans Act

Introduced: October 15, 2021 Introduced by: Underwood, Lauren Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 13 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 17, 2021
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Nov 16, 2021
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 16, 2021
Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Nov 16, 2021
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6283-6284)
Nov 16, 2021
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5603.
Nov 16, 2021
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6283-6286)
Nov 16, 2021
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6283-6284)
Nov 4, 2021
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Discharged.
Nov 4, 2021
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Nov 4, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 25, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Oct 15, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Oct 15, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Protections for Student Veterans Act

This bill authorizes service members who are utilizing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance benefits to withdraw or take a leave of absence after they receive orders for active service, inactive-duty training, or state active duty and addresses matters related to VA educational assistance for flight training.

Institutions of higher education are prohibited from taking adverse actions (e.g., assigning a failing grade) against such service members for withdrawing or taking a leave of absence.

The bill requires institutions of higher education to refund all tuition and fees (including for housing) for the academic term for which the service member withdraws.

In situations where the service member takes a leave of absence, the institution of higher education must assign a grade of incomplete for the applicable term and permit the member to complete the academic term after the period of service.

The bill adjusts requirements related to utilizing VA educational assistance for flight training purposes, including by removing the requirement that an individual must possess a valid private pilot certificate and meet certain medical requirements to utilize such assistance.

Individuals enrolled in a program of education at an institution of higher learning in which flight training is required may elect to receive accelerated payments of tuition and fees if they also elect to receive educational counseling. The bill also specifies the calculation and determination of such fees, as well as the calculation of available entitlement in cases of accelerated payments.

What's happening now November 17, 2021

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 4874 Related bill Fly Vets Act
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5603: Protections for Student Veterans Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5603/
MLA
"H.R. 5603: Protections for Student Veterans Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5603/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5603, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5603/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5603: Protections for Student Veterans Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5603/)
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