Hinds Today

U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Maggie Hassan have announced the enactment of a significant defense policy legislation that incorporates their bipartisan bill aimed at assisting students in the National Guard and Reserve. The Servicemember Enrollment and Readmission for Valuable Education (SERVE) Act, included in the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act, was signed into law recently.

The SERVE Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ensure that students called to serve in short-term National Guard and Reserve mobilizations can resume their education without disruption. "Many Guard and Reserve mobilizations last fewer than 30 days, putting numerous students who have volunteered to serve our nation at risk of having their educational pursuits derailed," Senator Hyde-Smith stated. She expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of this measure in the FY2025 NDAA.

Senator Hassan also emphasized the importance of this provision, stating, "Students in the Reserves and the National Guard sacrifice to serve their communities and our country, and they shouldn’t have to jeopardize their spot in school because they were called to duty."

Previously, existing laws required readmission only for those mobilized for more than 30 days. The SERVE Act removes this stipulation, ensuring that all student servicemembers can be promptly readmitted regardless of mobilization duration.

Hyde-Smith introduced the SERVE Act alongside Hassan in June 2023. U.S. Representatives Mike Ezell and Matt Cartwright sponsored a companion bill in the House.

The broader FY2025 NDAA sets policies for defense funding, authorizes pay increases for service members, and expands child care access.