Pappas, Goodlander Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Veterans Turn Military Experience into College Credits

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, joined Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21), and Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), in introducing the Military Learning for Credit Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation that aims to help more veterans translate their military training and experience into college credits. Senator Chris Coons (DE) and Senator Joni Ernst (IA) lead the Senate companion legislation. Specifically, this bill expands the Veterans Education Benefits program, which offsets the cost of prior learning tests that affect placement in degree programs. This change will help cover a wider range of certifications to allow more veterans to prove their skillset and prevent duplicative coursework, saving the government money and veterans and military families time.  

“When veterans want to use their educational benefits after service, their prior professional experiences and military training should be recognized as they move on to their next opportunity,” said Congressman Pappas. “This bipartisan legislation would allow veterans to use their VA educational benefits for nationally-recognized career tests that certify the skills and knowledge they acquired from their service, freeing up benefits for college credits and allowing them to make the most out of the benefits they’ve earned. I’ll continue working to increase opportunities for veterans and ensure their benefits work for them.”

“My dad always said he got his education from the United States Navy. Our veterans go through intensive training during their service to our country, and they should be able to benefit from that experience if they apply to college,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “I am proud to introduce the Military Learning for Credit Act, commonsense legislation to fix an existing gap and deliver for our veterans.” 

“Too many student veterans are forced to pay out of pocket to translate prior learning such as military training and experience into college credit, creating a financial hurdle that delays graduation and slows their transition into the civilian workforce," said Tammy Barlet, Vice President of Government Affairs for Student Veterans of America. “The Military Learning for Credit Act would direct VA to use veterans’ educational assistance to cover those examination and assessment fees, cutting education costs, shortening time to degree and helping veterans bring proven skills to high‑demand jobs faster. SVA applauds Representative Goodlander and Representative Stefanik for their leadership in advancing this important legislation to ensure more student veterans are recognized and credited for their military experience in the classroom towards their employment.” 

Under current law, veterans are able to use a portion of their benefits to cover the costs associated with prior learning assessments, or higher education placement tests. However, not all tests that demonstrate prior learning are covered, such as the National Career Readiness Certificate and portfolio assessments. The Military Learning for Credit Act will correct this inequity and could save the federal government money by shortening the time to degree for student veterans who are able to pass and earn credits. Most importantly, granting college credit for prior military training can be an important lever for increasing veteran graduation rates. The Council for Adult and Experiential  Learning (CAEL) has found that credential completion was 22 percentage points higher for students with credit for prior learning. 

This legislation is endorsed by Veterans Education Success, Student Veterans of America, Today’s Students Coalition, and Southern New Hampshire University. 

The bill text is available here.