The Guam Legislatures Committee on Education, Libraries and Public Broadcasting took oral testimony Dec. 9 on Bill 202-38, the Guam Veterans Higher Education Benefits Act, which would add a chapter to Title 17 to establish tuition waivers at the University of Guam (UOG) and Guam Community College (GCC) for qualifying veterans and their dependents when federal benefits have been exhausted.

Chair Senator Vincent A. V. Borja framed the bill as a targeted measure that would not "stack benefits," saying federal benefits must be used first and the local waiver would apply only when federal support is gone. He said the measure is intended to help veterans translate service into career and educational opportunities.

Joe Saint Augustine, director of the Guam Office of Veterans Affairs, supported the bills spirit but raised a funding concern after learning that proposed language includes "no further appropriation," which he said could leave UOG and GCC to absorb waiver costs if the Legislature does not provide funding. "I will support this bill if the body was gonna fund it," he said, urging clarity on how the program would be paid for and how veteran eligibility would be verified.

University of Guam senior vice president and provost Dr. Charlene Santos Bamba and UOG financial staff offered written testimony and recommendations. UOG asked that exemptions be limited to qualifying veterans if institutions must absorb costs, recommended exhausting federal Title IV and other funds before waivers apply, requested an implementation window or phased effective date no later than April 1, 2026, and suggested policies for repayment if a student withdraws. UOG estimated serving current veteran students and dependents could result in roughly $1,200,000 in tuition waivers if costs were absorbed by the institution.

Veterans who testified described how exhausted federal benefits forced some students to leave school and urged the committee to preserve eligibility for dependent family members and to consider including Guam National Guard and Reserve members. Combat veteran Jonathan Savarez told senators that a bill like this "would have closed the gap" that forced him to walk away from UOG when his Post-9/11 tuition assistance ran out. Tim Puzon, representing the Guam United States Air Force Veterans Association, recommended also considering the Guam Trades Academy and ensuring currently serving Guards and Reserve members are included where appropriate.

Committee members and UOG staff discussed current waiver programs, SFAP budget constraints, the need to exhaust Pell and Post-9/11 funds before local waivers apply, and the possibility of a phased or otherwise funded approach to implementation. Chair Borja and members signaled they will consider amendments and funding mechanisms before moving forward.

No committee vote was taken. The panel will accept written testimony for seven days and may consider amendments, including how dependents are defined and whether the Legislature must appropriate funding for the waiver program.