HB 2323 — An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in military educational programs, further providing for definitions, for eligibility, for certification of eligibility, for grants, for amount of grants, for limitations and for recoupment of grant payments.

PRINTER'S NO.    3098

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 2323
                                                Session of
                                                  2026

     INTRODUCED BY PROKOPIAK, WEBSTER, INGLIS, CERRATO, BOROWSKI,
        HOGAN, VENKAT, CONKLIN, HILL-EVANS, KHAN, DOUGHERTY, SANCHEZ,
        SOLOMON, GUENST, FREEMAN, HOHENSTEIN, PARKER, HOWARD, CEPEDA-
        FREYTIZ, BOYD, STEELE, NEILSON AND CIRESI, MARCH 26, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 27, 2026


                                     AN ACT
 1   Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania
 2      Consolidated Statutes, in military educational programs,
 3      further providing for definitions, for eligibility, for
 4      certification of eligibility, for grants, for amount of
 5      grants, for limitations and for recoupment of grant payments.
 6      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 7   hereby enacts as follows:
 8      Section 1.    The definitions of "eligible member" and
 9   "promissory note" in section 3201 of Title 51 of the
10   Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:
11   § 3201.    Definitions.
12      The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter
13   shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
14   context clearly indicates otherwise:
15      * * *
16      "Eligible member."     A member of the Pennsylvania National
17   Guard or of a reserve component of any branch of the United
18   States Armed Forces who meets the criteria specified in section
 1   3202 (relating to eligibility) and who has been awarded a
 2   certificate of eligibility under section 3203 (relating to
 3   certification of eligibility).
 4      * * *
 5      "Promissory note."     A written contract signed by [a member of
 6   the Pennsylvania National Guard] an eligible member in which the
 7   member promises to repay the awarded grant amount.
 8      * * *
 9      Section 2.     Section 3202(a) introductory paragraph and (2),
10   (b)(2), (c.1) and (d) introductory paragraph and (2) of Title
11   51, amended July 7, 2025 (P.L.108, No.32), are amended and
12   subsections (a) and (b) are amended by adding paragraphs to
13   read:
14   § 3202.    Eligibility.
15      (a)    General rule.--A member of the Pennsylvania National
16   Guard or of a reserve component of any branch of the United
17   States Armed Forces is eligible to receive an educational
18   assistance grant under this subchapter if the member meets all
19   of the following eligibility criteria:
20             (2)   Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) and
21      section [3206(b)] 3206(b.1) (relating to limitations), the
22      member is a member in good standing and has been a
23      satisfactory participant in Pennsylvania National Guard or
24      United States Armed Forces reserve activities for a minimum
25      service period established by the Adjutant General.
26             (2.1)   If the member is a member of a reserve component
27      of the United States Armed Forces, the member is a resident
28      of this Commonwealth.
29             * * *
30      (b)    Additional eligibility criteria for full-time

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 1   educational assistance grants.--In addition to the eligibility
 2   criteria specified in subsection (a), an eligible member must
 3   meet the following eligibility criteria to qualify for a full-
 4   time educational assistance grant:
 5            (2)   [The] If the eligible member is a member of the
 6      Pennsylvania National Guard, the member accepts an obligation
 7      to serve in the Pennsylvania National Guard for a period of
 8      six years and has not accepted an obligation under Subch. A.1
 9      (relating to Military Family Education Program) for the same
10      six-year period.
11            (2.1)   If the eligible member is a member of a reserve
12      component of the United States Armed Forces, the member
13      accepts an obligation to serve in the United States Armed
14      Forces for a period of eight years.
15            * * *
16      (c.1)   Successive certificate.--Upon completion of [a six-
17   year] an obligation for which an eligible member received an
18   educational assistance grant certificate of eligibility, an
19   eligible member may receive successive educational assistance
20   grant certificates of eligibility for a successive [six-year]
21   commitment.
22      (d)   Retention of benefit.--A member who receives an other
23   than dishonorable discharge before completing [their six-year]
24   the applicable service obligation shall remain eligible for the
25   earned proportional share of an educational assistance grant
26   under this subchapter if the member meets all eligibility
27   requirements outlined in subsections (a) and (b), except for
28   continued membership in the Pennsylvania National Guard or in a
29   reserve component of the United States Armed Forces. The former
30   member must begin a course of study within two years of [their]

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 1   discharge, with the program scheduled to be completed no later
 2   than six years after the date of discharge, and must also meet
 3   one of the following additional eligibility conditions:
 4             * * *
 5             (2)   the member was discharged at the convenience of the
 6      department or the Pennsylvania National Guard or the United
 7      States Department of Defense; or
 8             * * *
 9      Section 3.     Sections 3203, 3204(b) and 3205(c)(2) of Title 51
10   are amended to read:
11   § 3203.    Certification of eligibility.
12      (a)    Pennsylvania National Guard.--The department shall
13   certify members of the Pennsylvania National Guard as eligible
14   to participate in the program who meet the eligibility criteria
15   set forth in section 3202 (relating to eligibility) and shall
16   provide the agency with a certificate of eligibility for an
17   eligible member.
18      (b)    Reserve components.--The Adjutant General shall consult
19   with the United States Department of Defense in determining any
20   additional eligibility criteria for members of reserve
21   components of the United States Armed Forces, including
22   retention of benefits, recoupment of grant payments and
23   forgiveness of recoupment. The department shall provide the
24   agency with a certificate of eligibility for an eligible member.
25   § 3204.    Grants.
26      * * *
27      (b)    Promissory notes.--Upon the receipt of the grant, an
28   eligible member shall sign a promissory note obligating the
29   eligible member to repay the full amount of the grant if the
30   eligible member fails to fulfill the service obligation under

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 1   section [3207(a)] 3207(c) (relating to recoupment of grant
 2   payments).
 3   § 3205.    Amount of grants.
 4      * * *
 5      (c)    Other grants and financial aid.--
 6             * * *
 7             (2)   Prior to making a grant under this subchapter, the
 8      approved institution of higher learning shall first consider
 9      any Federal tuition assistance received by the eligible
10      member and then shall award a grant under this subchapter if
11      the eligible member requires additional financial aid to
12      cover the costs of attendance for an approved program of
13      higher education. A grant under this subchapter shall be paid
14      or refunded to the eligible member for approved costs of
15      attendance. Grants authorized under this subchapter shall be
16      reduced so that the total of all Federal and State military
17      education benefits, as administered by the Pennsylvania
18      National Guard or a reserve component of the United States
19      Armed Forces, as applicable, do not exceed 100% of the costs
20      of attendance.
21      * * *
22      Section 4.     Section 3206(b) of Title 51 is amended and the
23   section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
24   § 3206.    Limitations.
25      * * *
26      [(b)    Active duty.--
27             (1)   Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2) or
28      (3), no grant payments shall be made under this subchapter
29      except during the eligible member's term of service as a
30      member in good standing of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

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 1        (2)   For eligible members who were called or ordered to
 2    active Federal service or active State duty under section 508
 3    (relating to active State duty for emergency) after September
 4    11, 2001, the deadline for making grant payments shall be
 5    extended for one additional month for each month or part of
 6    month of such service after the eligible member is discharged
 7    or released under other than dishonorable conditions from the
 8    Pennsylvania National Guard.
 9        (3)   For eligible members discharged because of a
10    disability incurred in the line of duty who are eligible
11    under section 3202(c) (relating to eligibility), the deadline
12    for making grant payments shall be:
13              (i)    Six years after the eligible member's medical
14        discharge for members discharged for a medical disability
15        on or after the effective date of this paragraph unless
16        extended under section 3202 (c)(6).
17              (ii)    Six years following the effective date of this
18        paragraph for eligible members discharged for a medical
19        disability after September 11, 2001, and before the
20        effective date of this paragraph unless extended under
21        section 3202 (c)(6).]
22    (b.1)   Active duty.--
23        (1)   For eligible members who are members of the
24    Pennsylvania National Guard:
25              (i)    Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) or
26        (iii), grant payments may be made only during the
27        eligible member's term of service as a member in good
28        standing of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
29              (ii)    If an eligible member was called or ordered to
30        active Federal service or active State duty under section

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 1        508 (relating to active duty for emergency) after
 2        September 11, 2001, the deadline for making grant
 3        payments shall be extended by one month for each month or
 4        part of a month of that service, beginning after the
 5        member's discharge or release under conditions other than
 6        dishonorable from the Pennsylvania National Guard.
 7              (iii)    For an eligible member discharged for a
 8        disability incurred in the line of duty, the deadline for
 9        making grant payments is six years from the date of the
10        member's medical discharge, including members medically
11        discharged after September 11, 2001.
12        (2)   For eligible members who are members of a reserve
13    component of the United States Armed Forces:
14              (i)    Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) or
15        (iii), grant payments may be made only during the
16        eligible member's term of service as a member in good
17        standing of a reserve component of the United States
18        Armed Forces.
19              (ii)    If an eligible member served on active duty
20        after September 11, 2001, the deadline for making grant
21        payments shall be extended by one month for each month or
22        part of a month of that service, beginning after the
23        member's discharge or release under conditions other than
24        dishonorable from service in the United States Armed
25        Forces.
26              (iii)    For an eligible member discharged for a
27        disability incurred in the line of duty, the deadline for
28        making grant payments is six years from the date of the
29        member's medical discharge, including members medically
30        discharged after September 11, 2001.

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 1      * * *
 2      Section 5.     Section 3207 of Title 51, amended July 7, 2025
 3   (P.L.108, No.32), is amended to read:
 4   § 3207.    Recoupment of grant payments.
 5      [(a)    General rule.--
 6             (1)   Except as provided in paragraph (2), an eligible
 7      member who fails to meet the six-year service obligation of
 8      this subchapter or to meet other requirements established by
 9      the Adjutant General or the agency is liable to the
10      Commonwealth for repayment of all or part of any grant
11      payments made. The Adjutant General shall notify the agency
12      if an eligible member fails to complete the service
13      obligation, and the promissory note under section 3204(b)
14      (relating to grants) shall be repaid by the eligible member
15      upon demand by the agency on a schedule as the agency may
16      determine.
17             (2)   Notwithstanding section 3204(b), an eligible member
18      who fails to meet the six-year service obligation of this
19      subchapter or meet other requirements established by the
20      Adjutant General shall only be liable to the agency for a
21      proportional share of the promissory note under section
22      3204(b). The agency shall reduce the amount owed by an
23      eligible member based off the time of service obligation
24      completed.
25      (b)    Forgiveness of recoupment.--The Adjutant General shall
26   notify the agency and the agency shall forgive recoupment of all
27   or part of an eligible member's grant payments if the Adjutant
28   General determines that the eligible member's failure to fulfill
29   the six-year service obligation was the result of one of the
30   following:

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 1          (1)   Death.
 2          (2.1)   Discharge because of a medical determination that
 3    is not due to the eligible member's misconduct.
 4          (3.1)   Discharge at the convenience of the department or
 5    the Pennsylvania National Guard.
 6          (4)   The existence of other compelling circumstances that
 7    warrant forgiveness.]
 8    (c)   Recoupment.--
 9          (1)   For an eligible member who is a member of the
10    Pennsylvania National Guard:
11                (i)    Except as provided in subparagraph (ii), an
12          eligible member who fails to meet the six-year service
13          obligation under this subchapter or to meet other
14          requirements established by the Adjutant General or the
15          agency is liable to the Commonwealth for repayment of all
16          or part of any grant payments made. The Adjutant General
17          shall notify the agency if an eligible member fails to
18          complete the service obligation, and the promissory note
19          under section 3204(b) (relating to grants) shall be
20          repaid by the eligible member upon demand by the agency
21          on a schedule the agency determines.
22                (ii)    Notwithstanding section 3204(b), an eligible
23          member who fails to meet the six-year service obligation
24          under this subchapter or to meet other requirements
25          established by the Adjutant General is liable only for a
26          proportional share of the promissory note under section
27          3204(b). The agency shall reduce the amount owed based on
28          the portion of the service obligation completed.
29          (2)   For an eligible member who is a member of a reserve
30    component of the United States Armed Forces:

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 1                (i)    Except as provided in subparagraph (ii), an
 2          eligible member who fails to meet the eight-year service
 3          obligation under this subchapter or to meet other
 4          requirements established by the Adjutant General or the
 5          agency is liable to the Commonwealth for repayment of all
 6          or part of any grant payments made. The Adjutant General
 7          shall notify the agency if an eligible member fails to
 8          complete the service obligation, and the promissory note
 9          under section 3204(b) shall be repaid by the eligible
10          member upon demand by the agency on a schedule the agency
11          determines.
12                (ii)    Notwithstanding section 3204(b), an eligible
13          member who fails to meet the eight-year service
14          obligation under this subchapter or to meet other
15          requirements established by the Adjutant General is
16          liable only for a proportional share of the promissory
17          note under section 3204(b). The agency shall reduce the
18          amount owed based on the portion of the service
19          obligation completed.
20    (d)   Forgiveness of recoupment.--
21          (1)   For an eligible member who is a member of the
22    Pennsylvania National Guard, the Adjutant General shall
23    notify the agency, and the agency shall forgive recoupment of
24    all or part of the eligible member's grant payments if the
25    Adjutant General determines that the eligible member's
26    failure to fulfill the six-year service obligation was the
27    result of one of the following:
28                (i)    Death.
29                (ii)    Discharge because of a medical determination
30          that is not due to the eligible member's misconduct.

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 1              (iii)    Discharge at the convenience of the department
 2        or the Pennsylvania National Guard.
 3              (iv)    Other compelling circumstances that warrant
 4        forgiveness.
 5        (2)   For an eligible member who is a member of a reserve
 6    component of the United States Armed Forces, the Adjutant
 7    General shall notify the agency, and the agency shall forgive
 8    recoupment of all or part of the eligible member's grant
 9    payments if the Adjutant General determines that the eligible
10    member's failure to fulfill the eight-year service obligation
11    was the result of one of the following:
12              (i)    Death.
13              (ii)    Discharge because of a medical determination
14        that is not due to the eligible member's misconduct.
15              (iii)    Discharge at the convenience of the United
16        States Department of Defense.
17              (iv)    Other compelling circumstances that warrant
18        forgiveness.
19    Section 6.      This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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