Pennsylvania SB 870: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Educational Assistance Program, further providing for definitions, for eligibility and for recoupment of grant payments; and, in Military Family Education Program, further providing for definitions, for eligibility, for limitations and for recoupment of Military Family Education Program grant payments.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 965
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 870
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY PENNYCUICK, L. WILLIAMS, FONTANA, TARTAGLIONE,
J. WARD, STEFANO, CAPPELLETTI AND VOGEL, JUNE 18, 2025
REFERRED TO VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,
JUNE 18, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in Educational Assistance Program,
further providing for definitions, for eligibility and for
recoupment of grant payments; and, in Military Family
Education Program, further providing for definitions, for
eligibility, for limitations and for recoupment of Military
Family Education Program grant payments.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "approved program of education"
in section 3201 of Title 51 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is 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:
* * *
"Approved program of education." A degree-granting or
certificate-granting curriculum, course of study or training
program [required for entrance into a specific career to be
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

pursued on a full-time or part-time basis or its equivalent as
determined by the agency, at an approved institution of higher
learning.], refresher, remedial or deficiency course or
preparatory or special education training course necessary to
enable the individual to pursue an approved program of education
on a full-time or part-time basis or its equivalent as
determined by the agency, at an approved institution of higher
learning.
* * *
Section 2. Sections 3202 and 3207 of Title 51 are amended to
read:
§ 3202. Eligibility.
(a) General rule.--A member of the Pennsylvania National
Guard 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 [(c)] (d)
and section 3206(b) (relating to limitations), the member is
a member in good standing and has been a satisfactory
participant in Pennsylvania National Guard activities for a
minimum service period established by the Adjutant General.
(3) The member has enrolled as a student in an approved
program of education at an approved institution of higher
learning.
(b) Additional eligibility criteria for full-time
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:
[(1) The member does not possess a baccalaureate
20250SB0870PN0965 - 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

degree.]
(2) 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.
(3) The member has enrolled as a full-time student in an
approved program of education at an approved institution of
higher learning.
(4) The member is not receiving a Reserve Officer
Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarship, excluding a Guaranteed
Reserve Forces Duty Scholarship.
[(c) Discharge for disability incurred in the line of
duty.--A member who is discharged for medical disability after
September 11, 2001, shall remain eligible to receive an
educational assistance grant under this subchapter if the member
meets all of the following eligibility criteria:
(1) The medical disability was incurred in the line of
duty and was not the result of misconduct.
(2) The medical condition giving rise to the discharge
did not exist prior to the member entering service in the
Pennsylvania National Guard.
(3) The medical disability was incurred while performing
authorized military duty other than basic training, advanced
individual training or other equivalent initial training.
(4) The former member received an other than
dishonorable discharge for medical reasons.
(5) The former member accepted an obligation to serve in
the Pennsylvania National Guard and was qualified to fulfill
the service obligation but for the medical disability that
20250SB0870PN0965 - 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

resulted in discharge.
(6) The former member commences a full-time or part-time
course of study within two years of medical discharge or
within two years of the effective date of this subsection,
such course of study having a completion date of not more
than six years following the date of medical discharge for
members discharged for medical disability on or after the
effective date of this subsection or of not more than six
years following the effective date of this subsection for
members discharg