Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017
This page analyzes a single policy using structured scoring, historical evidence, source quality, and measurable outcomes.
Summary
Updated and expanded GI Bill benefits, including changes affecting housing, school closures, reserve eligibility, and the elimination of benefit expiration for many Post-9/11 GI Bill users.
How to Read This Record
Impact Reading
Very high documented impact
Evidence Base
Moderate evidence from Government sources.
Data Completeness
Good record with 2 sources and 0 metrics.
Outcome Summary
Improved the long-run usability of GI Bill benefits and reduced time-limit barriers that could otherwise weaken the value of those benefits for veterans balancing work, caregiving, and uneven post-service transitions.
Categories
Impact Scores
This score is a structured measure of how directly and materially this policy affected Black communities, weighted by evidence, durability, and equity. Harm offset reduces the total score.
Total Impact Score
32
Directness
4
How explicitly the policy targeted or affected Black communities.
Material Impact
4
The practical real-world effect on conditions, rights, or outcomes.
Evidence
4
Strength of sourcing and historical support for the assessment.
Durability
5
How lasting the effects of the policy were over time.
Equity
4
Whether the policy advanced fairness, inclusion, or equal access.
Harm Offset
1
Any offsetting harms, limitations, exclusions, or contradictory effects that reduce the total.
Scoring Notes: A meaningful improvement to the modern GI Bill framework, especially around access over time.
Metrics
No metrics added yet.
Suggested Relationships
These policies may be related based on shared categories, era, and proximity in time.
2008 • Program • Republican Party
Contemporary Era • Positive
Shared Categories: 3 • Year Distance: 9
2023 • Law • Democratic Party
Contemporary Era • Blocked
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 6
2019 • Law • Republican Party
Contemporary Era • Positive
Shared Categories: 1 • Year Distance: 2
2015 • Law • Democratic Party
Contemporary Era • Mixed
Shared Categories: 1 • Year Distance: 2
2021 • Law • Democratic Party
Contemporary Era • Mixed
Shared Categories: 1 • Year Distance: 4
2021 • Law • Democratic Party
Contemporary Era • Positive
Shared Categories: 1 • Year Distance: 4
2021 • Program • Democratic Party
Contemporary Era • Positive
Shared Categories: 1 • Year Distance: 4
2021 • Executive Order • Democratic Party
Contemporary Era • Positive
Shared Categories: 1 • Year Distance: 4
Sources
H.R.3218 - Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017
Congress.gov • Government
Published: Aug 16, 2017
Official action history confirming enactment of the Forever GI Bill.
View sourceHarry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-48)
Congressional Research Service • Government
Published: Jul 31, 2018
CRS explanation of how the Colmery Act amended the Post-9/11 GI Bill and related education benefits.
View source