Pennsylvania HB 2323: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in military educational programs, further providing for definitions, for eligibility, for certification of eligibility, for grants, for amount of grants, for limitations and for recoupment of grant payments.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3098
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2323
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY PROKOPIAK, WEBSTER, INGLIS, CERRATO, BOROWSKI,
HOGAN, VENKAT, CONKLIN, HILL-EVANS, KHAN, DOUGHERTY, SANCHEZ,
SOLOMON, GUENST, FREEMAN, HOHENSTEIN, PARKER, HOWARD, CEPEDA-
FREYTIZ, BOYD, STEELE, NEILSON AND CIRESI, MARCH 26, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 27, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in military educational programs,
further providing for definitions, for eligibility, for
certification of eligibility, for grants, for amount of
grants, for limitations and for recoupment of grant payments.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definitions of "eligible member" and
"promissory note" in section 3201 of Title 51 of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:
§ 3201. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Eligible member." A member of the Pennsylvania National
Guard or of a reserve component of any branch of the United
States Armed Forces who meets the criteria specified in section
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

3202 (relating to eligibility) and who has been awarded a
certificate of eligibility under section 3203 (relating to
certification of eligibility).
* * *
"Promissory note." A written contract signed by [a member of
the Pennsylvania National Guard] an eligible member in which the
member promises to repay the awarded grant amount.
* * *
Section 2. Section 3202(a) introductory paragraph and (2),
(b)(2), (c.1) and (d) introductory paragraph and (2) of Title
51, amended July 7, 2025 (P.L.108, No.32), are amended and
subsections (a) and (b) are amended by adding paragraphs to
read:
§ 3202. Eligibility.
(a) General rule.--A member of the Pennsylvania National
Guard or of a reserve component of any branch of the United
States Armed Forces is eligible to receive an educational
assistance grant under this subchapter if the member meets all
of the following eligibility criteria:
(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) and
section [3206(b)] 3206(b.1) (relating to limitations), the
member is a member in good standing and has been a
satisfactory participant in Pennsylvania National Guard or
United States Armed Forces reserve activities for a minimum
service period established by the Adjutant General.
(2.1) If the member is a member of a reserve component
of the United States Armed Forces, the member is a resident
of this Commonwealth.
* * *
(b) Additional eligibility criteria for full-time
20260HB2323PN3098 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

educational assistance grants.--In addition to the eligibility
criteria specified in subsection (a), an eligible member must
meet the following eligibility criteria to qualify for a full-
time educational assistance grant:
(2) [The] If the eligible member is a member of the
Pennsylvania National Guard, the member accepts an obligation
to serve in the Pennsylvania National Guard for a period of
six years and has not accepted an obligation under Subch. A.1
(relating to Military Family Education Program) for the same
six-year period.
(2.1) If the eligible member is a member of a reserve
component of the United States Armed Forces, the member
accepts an obligation to serve in the United States Armed
Forces for a period of eight years.
* * *
(c.1) Successive certificate.--Upon completion of [a six-
year] an obligation for which an eligible member received an
educational assistance grant certificate of eligibility, an
eligible member may receive successive educational assistance
grant certificates of eligibility for a successive [six-year]
commitment.
(d) Retention of benefit.--A member who receives an other
than dishonorable discharge before completing [their six-year]
the applicable service obligation shall remain eligible for the
earned proportional share of an educational assistance grant
under this subchapter if the member meets all eligibility
requirements outlined in subsections (a) and (b), except for
continued membership in the Pennsylvania National Guard or in a
reserve component of the United States Armed Forces. The former
member must begin a course of study within two years of [their]
20260HB2323PN3098 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

discharge, with the program scheduled to be completed no later
than six years after the date of discharge, and must also meet
one of the following additional eligibility conditions:
* * *
(2) the member was discharged at the convenience of the
department or the Pennsylvania National Guard or the United
States Department of Defense; or
* * *
Section 3. Sections 3203, 3204(b) and 3205(c)(2) of Title 51
are amended t