Air Guard STATUS Act of 2025

#489 | S Congress #119

Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (2/6/2025)

Bill Text Source: Congress.gov

Summary and Impacts
Original Text

Bill Summary

The "Air Guard Standardizing Tuition Assistance To Unify the Services Act of 2025," or the "Air Guard STATUS Act of 2025," is legislation aimed at establishing a permanent tuition assistance program for members of the Air National Guard. Under this act, the Secretary of the Air Force is mandated to create a program that will cover all or part of the tuition and educational expenses for Air National Guard members who meet specific training requirements. This initiative is designed to support the educational advancement of these service members, helping them to further their careers and skills while fulfilling their military obligations.

Possible Impacts

Here are three examples of how the "Air Guard Standardizing Tuition Assistance To Unify the Services Act of 2025" could affect people:

1. **Increased Educational Opportunities for Air National Guard Members**: The establishment of a permanent tuition assistance program would provide financial support for members of the Air National Guard to pursue higher education. This could lead to increased enrollment in colleges and universities, allowing service members to gain valuable skills and credentials that could enhance their career prospects both in the military and in civilian life.

2. **Improved Retention Rates**: By offering tuition assistance, the legislation may improve retention rates among Air National Guard members. Financial support for education can be a significant incentive for service members to remain in the military, as it helps them balance their responsibilities while also advancing their education. This could lead to a more experienced and well-trained force, benefiting the overall effectiveness of the Air National Guard.

3. **Economic Impact on Educational Institutions**: With more Air National Guard members utilizing tuition assistance, colleges and universities may experience an increase in enrollment. This influx of students can have a positive economic impact on local communities, as educational institutions may need to hire more staff, offer additional courses, and invest in infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of students. This could lead to job creation and increased economic activity in areas surrounding these institutions.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 489 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 489

  To require the Secretary of the Air Force to establish a permanent 
 program to provide tuition assistance to members of the Air National 
                                 Guard.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

             February 6 (legislative day, February 5), 2025

   Mr. Hoeven (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Moran, and Mr. Bennet) 
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 
                      Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To require the Secretary of the Air Force to establish a permanent 
 program to provide tuition assistance to members of the Air National 
                                 Guard.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Air Guard Standardizing Tuition 
Assistance To Unify the Services Act of 2025'' or the ``Air Guard 
STATUS Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. PROVISION OF TUITION ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS OF AIR NATIONAL 
              GUARD.

    The Secretary of the Air Force shall establish a permanent program 
to pay, under section 2007 of title 10, United States Code, all or a 
portion of the charges of an educational institution for the tuition or 
expenses of a member of the Air National Guard who is in compliance 
with the training requirements under regulations prescribed under 
section 502(a) of title 32, United States Code.
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