Congress raises GI Bill stipends for veterans entering apprenticeships

What it does

This bill increases the amount of educational assistance veterans receive during the first year of full-time apprenticeship or on-the-job training programs. Specifically, it raises the payment rate from 80% to 90% of the applicable monthly stipend under the GI Bill, making it easier for veterans to transition into skilled trades and workforce training.

Why we flagged it

The bill is a straightforward increase to an existing veterans' educational assistance program, narrowly tailored to improve support for apprenticeship and on-the-job training during the first year of enrollment.

What the text implies

• The 10-percentage-point increase may incentivize more veterans to pursue apprenticeships over traditional four-year degree programs, potentially shifting educational pathways within the veteran population.
• Higher first-year stipends may improve apprenticeship program completion rates by reducing mid-program financial stress, though the bill does not track or measure this outcome.
• The amendment applies only to the first year; subsequent years remain at existing rates, creating a potential cliff effect in year two that may affect retention.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

Veterans pursuing apprenticeships and on-the-job training receive higher monthly stipends, reducing financial barriers to workforce entry and skill development. The increase directly improves the economic security of eligible veterans during a critical transition period.

Who stands to gain

• eligible veterans enrolled in apprenticeship programs
• eligible veterans in on-the-job training programs

Named in the bill

Department of Veterans Affairs, 38 U.S.C. § 3313(g)(3)(B), GI Bill, apprenticeship programs, on-the-job training

Where it stands

1 cosponsor: 1 Democrats.

• Feb 5, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Feb 5, 2025 — Referred to House Committee on Veterans' Affairs · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs”
• Jan 21, 2026 — Hearing held · Congress.gov: “Subcommittee Hearings Held”
• Feb 24, 2026 — Markup held in committee · Congress.gov: “Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Money around this bill

3 lobbying clients named this bill on 3 disclosure filings across 1 quarter, Jun 2026 to Jun 2026. Those filings disclosed $1,122,137 in lobbying spend. A filing names 109 bills on average, so that figure is what each filing reported, not a share belonging to this bill.

More lobbying clients named this bill than 61% of bills with at least one filing.

Derrick Van Orden, the sponsor, reported $1,070,491 in PAC receipts in the 2026 cycle.

• American Trucking Associations — $720,000 on 1 filing
• Building and Construction Trades Dept AFL-CIO — $290,000 on 1 filing
• Paralyzed Veterans of America — $112,137 on 1 filing

Lobbying Disclosure Act filings through Jul 20, 2026. A filing shows who paid to lobby on a bill it names, not what changed.