Bill Summary
This legislation aims to amend Title 38 of the United States Code by prohibiting educational institutions from withholding transcripts from individuals who have attended courses or programs using Post-9/11 educational assistance. Specifically, it states that if a student owes a debt to the institution, that cannot be the sole reason for withholding their transcript. This measure ensures that students who have used Post-9/11 benefits can access their academic records, promoting their ability to transfer, apply for jobs, or continue their education without barriers related to outstanding debts.
Possible Impacts
The legislation outlined in the bill has significant implications for individuals who have pursued education using Post-9/11 educational assistance. Here are three examples of how it could affect people:
1. **Access to Employment Opportunities**: Individuals who have completed their education using Post-9/11 educational assistance will have greater access to job opportunities. By ensuring that educational institutions cannot withhold transcripts due to outstanding debts, graduates can provide proof of their credentials to potential employers, thus enhancing their employability.
2. **Facilitation of Further Education**: The prohibition on withholding transcripts allows individuals who may want to continue their education at another institution to do so without barriers. If a former student owes money to their previous school, they will still be able to obtain their transcript and apply to other programs, enabling them to advance their education and career prospects.
3. **Reduction of Financial Pressure**: This legislation alleviates some of the financial pressure on individuals who may be struggling to pay off debts to educational institutions. Knowing that they can still access their transcripts despite owing money may encourage them to seek employment or additional financial aid, rather than feeling trapped by their debt and unable to progress professionally or academically.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5436 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5436
To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit an educational
institution from withholding a transcript from an individual who
pursued a course or program of education at such institution using
Post-9/11 educational assistance.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 17, 2025
Mr. Mannion (for himself and Mr. Moylan) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit an educational
institution from withholding a transcript from an individual who
pursued a course or program of education at such institution using
Post-9/11 educational assistance.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PROHIBITION OF WITHHOLDING A TRANSCRIPT FROM AN INDIVIDUAL
WHO PURSUED A COURSE OR PROGRAM OF EDUCATION AT AN
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION USING POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE.
Subchapter III of chapter 33 of such title is amended by adding at
the end the following new section (and amending the table of sections
at the beginning of such chapter accordingly):
``Sec. 3328. Prohibition of withholding transcripts
``An educational institution may not withhold the transcript of an
individual who attended a course or program of education at such
educational institution using educational assistance under this chapter
solely because such individual owes a debt to such educational
institution.''.
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