The VA Work-Study Improvement Act makes several changes to help veterans who participate in work-study programs while using their education benefits. Currently, the VA offers work-study positions to eligible veterans attending school, allowing them to earn money while studying.

This bill expands the types of jobs veterans can do through work-study. It adds a new category that lets veterans work for state or local government agencies and nonprofit organizations on projects that benefit veterans or active-duty military members. Previously, the program had a more limited list of approved activities.

The bill also increases how much veterans can earn by requiring employers to pay the highest of three wage standards: the federal government's General Schedule pay rate, the state's minimum wage, or the local government's minimum wage in that area. This ensures veterans earn competitive wages for their work. Additionally, the bill modernizes record-keeping by allowing veterans to electronically log their work hours and have supervisors approve those hours online, making the process simpler and faster.

Finally, the bill requires the VA to publish annual reports showing how many veterans participated in work-study, who they are, what jobs they did, how much they earned, and which schools participated. This transparency helps Congress and the public understand how well the program is working. These changes take effect on January 1, 2028.