# Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program Act

This bill creates a new support program specifically designed to help Native American veterans who are attending tribal colleges and universities. Right now, the Department of Veterans Affairs runs a program called VetSuccess that helps veterans transition back to civilian life through education and career counseling, but it mainly operates at traditional four-year colleges and universities. This bill would expand that program to tribal colleges—institutions that primarily serve Native American students and are located on or near tribal lands.

The pilot program would bring VetSuccess counselors and support services directly to tribal colleges and universities, making it easier for Native American veterans to access benefits and guidance without having to travel to distant campuses. These counselors would help veterans figure out which education programs fit their goals, connect them with financial aid and VA benefits they're entitled to, and provide career planning assistance. The program would run as a test in selected tribal colleges to see how well it works before potentially expanding it more widely.

This matters because Native American veterans face unique challenges—they often live in rural or remote areas, may have limited access to traditional VA services, and attend colleges that have different structures and resources than mainstream universities. By bringing these services directly to tribal colleges, the bill aims to make sure Native American veterans don't get left behind in accessing the support they've earned through their military service. The pilot program would help identify what works best for this population and could serve as a model for better serving veterans in underserved communities across the country.

Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program Act

Gallego, Ruben

Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out a five-year pilot program to provide on-campus benefits assistance and counseling to eligible students at tribal colleges and universities. An eligible student is a student who (1) is a veteran, service member, or dependent of a veteran or service member; and (2) is eligible for any service or benefit under the VetSuccess on Campus program.