(The Center Square) – Service in the Pennsylvania National Guard could soon come with additional incentives for military families.
Representatives Arvind Venkat, D-Pittsburgh, and Craig Williams, R-Chadds Ford, have introduced a bill that extends the state’s GI bill to cover college tuition for an additional family member when service members re-enlist.
“Pennsylvania National Guard members exemplify the best of our Commonwealth, and they and their loved ones deserve the kind of support available through the MFEP,” said Venkat. “I’m proud to partner with Representative Williams on this bill that helps young people receive a higher education and recognizes the service of those who protect all Pennsylvanians.”
The Military Family Education Plan currently covers a service member or dependent for up to 10 semesters, or five years of schooling at school’s within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. That benefit can also be split between multiple family members designated by the Guard member.
House Bill 865 would allow each six-year term to support an additional dependent, assisting Guard members in providing education for themselves if they choose and more family members, including a spouse or children. This is a clarification of existing legislation which does not state whether the benefit is renewable.
“Those of us who have served, especially on deployment, know with our whole heart that military service is a full family commitment. Anything we can do to recognize, acknowledge and value that family sacrifice must be pursued,” said Williams. “I want our military families to know how much we cherish them.”
The original 2019 bill offering tuition was modeled after the GI Bill offered to service members within the U.S. military to assist them with education and career development during the adjustment into civilian life. Dependents can only receive Post-9/11 GI benefits after a military member has completed 10 years of service.
Williams served in the Marine Corps for 28 years. Venkat is a physician specializing in emergency medicine.
