Chairman Takano, VA Secretary McDonough, Vice Chair Levin Applaud VA Action to Continue ‘Rounding Out’ Policy for Student Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C —Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, and Vice Chair and Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Chair Mike Levin (D-Calif.) released the following statements given news that VA has found a solution to continue “rounding out”-- a key practice that allows student veterans to round out a college schedule with non-required classes to bring their course load to a full term and ensure they can receive full-time student benefits. Without VA or further legislative action, this policy was set to end in August. 

“Veterans’ earned educational benefits and the associated housing allowance are some of the most important economic tools student veterans can utilize following military service,” said Chairman Takano. “If this ‘rounding’ outpolicy is allowed to expire in August, countless veterans would suddenly be left out to dry as they attempted to finish their degrees. Finding a way to keep this policy intact is yet another clear sign that the Biden-Harris Administration is a strong advocate for student veterans. Our Committee will continue to examine this solution and work with VA to ensure these student veterans have access to the benefits they’ve earned.” 

“The department's goal is to not only support the economic well-being of Veterans and their families but also ensure we are serving as fiscal stewards of dollars entrusted to our agency,” said Secretary McDonough. “The new “rounding out” policy allows VA to accomplish both. GI Bill students can continue receiving full-time benefits, including a housing allowance, as they complete their educational goals.” 

“The ‘rounding out’ rule saves student veterans thousands of dollars in housing costs, and the prior administration’s move to eliminate it jeopardizes their ability to afford their living expenses,” said Rep. Levin. “I am encouraged by the recent communications I have had with the Veterans Benefits Administration about preventing this change from taking effect, and I believe we will find a resolution that works for both VA and student veterans. As Chair of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, my priority is protecting veterans’ financial stability, and I am hopeful that VA’s proposed solution to continue the rounding out practice will be in the best interest of student veterans’ economic well-being.”

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