This bill creates a federal grant program to help colleges and universities build and run Student Veteran Centers—dedicated spaces on campus where veterans can get support as they transition from military life to student life and eventually to civilian careers. Nearly a million veterans attend college each year, and many struggle with the adjustment because of age differences, time away from school, family responsibilities, and service-related disabilities. Research shows that when veterans connect with each other on campus, it helps reduce the isolation and loneliness many feel.

The bill would give grants of up to $500,000 over four years to colleges that enroll significant numbers of veterans and can show they'll keep the center running after the grant ends. To qualify for priority funding, schools should be in areas with large veteran populations, serve veterans across different types of institutions (large and small, urban and rural), and partner with veteran organizations in their communities. The centers themselves would provide a lounge where veterans can meet, a central office staffed by trained employees (including veterans) who can help with benefits and academic support, tutoring services, and mental health counseling for student veterans and their families.

Colleges receiving grants must also commit to hiring veterans as staff, offering special orientation programs for student veterans, and running programs to help veterans stay in school and complete their degrees. The bill requires the Department of Education to report back to Congress within three years on how well the program is working, including whether it's actually helping veterans graduate, and to create a website sharing best practices for supporting student veterans across the country.