Enhancing Education Benefits for Service Members & Families

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As a congressional candidate for Virginia's 2nd District and a proud military spouse, I am deeply committed to ensuring that our military service members and their families receive the support they need to succeed during and after their service. My platform prioritizes enhancing educational benefits for service members, veterans, and their families, acknowledging the sacrifices they make to protect our nation.

Commitment to Military Families

As the spouse of a Active-Duty Service Member, I have firsthand experience with the unique challenges military families face. Frequent relocations, deployments, and the demands of military life often disrupt educational goals and career aspirations. I am committed to building policies that ensure military families have equitable access to educational opportunities, allowing them to thrive despite these challenges. 

Policy Commitment

1. Strengthen the Post-9/11 GI Bill

• Increase Education Benefit Coverage: Advocate for an increase in the GI Bill’s benefit coverage to ensure it fully accommodates rising tuition costs, housing stipends, and book allowances. 
• Expand Eligibility: Include more comprehensive coverage for reservists, National Guard members, and service members who have served shorter, yet impactful, terms.
• Reduce Transfer Restrictions: Streamline the process for transferring GI Bill benefits to spouses and dependents, removing unnecessary administrative barriers.

2. Establish Portable Education Grants for Military Spouses and Dependents

• Military Spouse Education Grant: Create a federal grant program specifically for military spouses, helping them pursue degrees or certifications regardless of relocation timelines.
• Dependent Education Support: Extend support for dependents who experience frequent school transitions, including tutoring services, scholarship opportunities, and college readiness programs.

3. Support Online and Flexible Learning Opportunities

• Partner with educational institutions to expand access to online and hybrid degree programs tailored to the unique needs of active-duty service members and their families.
• Advocate for federal funding to develop military-friendly learning platforms with low tuition costs and flexible scheduling.

4. Enhance Vocational and Technical Training Opportunities

• Skills-to-Certifications Programs: Create pathways that recognize military training as equivalent to civilian certifications in relevant fields, reducing redundancy and financial burdens.
• High-Demand Fields: Focus on providing training in high-demand industries, such as cybersecurity, healthcare, and renewable energy, to prepare service members for post-service careers.

5. Expand Public Service Loan Forgiveness for Military Service Members and Spouses

• Advocate for reforms to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to ensure greater inclusion of military spouses working in public service fields, reducing their financial strain while they support their families.

My Vision

As someone who has experienced the military lifestyle’s challenges and opportunities, I am committed to ensuring that service members and their families have every chance to succeed. By investing in their education and career development, we are not only honoring their sacrifices but also strengthening our nation’s workforce and economic resilience.

Virginia's 2nd District, with its strong ties to the military, deserves a leader who understands these challenges and works tirelessly to address them. I will bring my lived experiences, commitment to trust, transparency, and equality, and a fierce dedication to improving the lives of service members and their families to Congress.

Together, we can ensure that those who serve our nation have the tools and resources they need to build a brighter future for themselves and their families.