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In this Update:

• Gebhard Introduces New Bill to Support Local Clubs
• Veterans Appreciation Breakfast
• New Law Extends PA Guard Family Education Benefit
• Urging Congress to Support the Major Richard Star Act
• VA Announces Longer Access to Community Care Services
• Financial Help for Pennsylvania Veterans Facing Hardship
• Congress Considering 2026 Federal Funding for Veterans Programs
• College Football Shows Appreciation for Veterans
• Upcoming Webinar: Preventing Veteran Suicide in Community Care
• Helping Veterans Get into College
• Tuition Assistance for Veterans
• Colleges That Support Veterans
• Support for Veteran Students
• Back-to-School Discounts for Veterans and Their Families

Gebhard Introduces New Bill to Support Local Clubs

I introduced legislation this week that would provide much-needed relief to Pennsylvania’s civic organizations, fire companies, veterans’ groups and other nonprofits by increasing the prize limit for small games of chance.

Under current law, clubs and organizations are limited to awarding no more than $35,000 in prizes from small games of chance each week. That cap has not been updated since 2013, despite inflation and the rising costs of community programs these organizations fund.

Senate Bill 995 would raise the weekly limit to $60,000, ensuring local groups can continue generating the revenue they rely on to support vital community services.

Small games of chance revenue support a wide range of community benefits, from funding lifesaving equipment for first responders to offering scholarships to local students. I was glad to have worked with the PA VFW Association and State Commander William Roland on this effort.

Veterans Appreciation Breakfast

Join me along with State Representatives Russ Diamond, Tom Jones, and John Schlegel for a special breakfast honoring our veterans.

The event is free and will be hosted at the Campbelltown Fire Hall on Saturday, November 15 at 9 a.m.

Veterans may register themselves and one guest by calling 717-274-6735 or online at: https://senatorgebhard.com/psrc-events/veterans-breakfast-111525/.

New Law Extends PA Guard Family Education Benefit

The Military Family Education Program (MFEP) covers the cost of a state college education for dependents of Pennsylvania National Guard members in return for a six-year service obligation. We passed a new law ensuring additional dependents are covered each time the member reenlists.

The benefit encourages talented Guard members to continue their service to the commonwealth and nation. Many Guard members who benefited from the original MFEP are now deciding whether to commit to another six years.

Act 32 of 2025 clarifies that a Guard member can receive a new MFEP assistance grant – helping an additional dependent – with each new service obligation. I was proud to support this family benefit for our men and women in uniform.

Urging Congress to Support the Major Richard Star Act

In late July, the Senate passed a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102) under which former Service members who were medically retired from the military with less than 20 years of service (Chapter 61 retirees) AND are eligible for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) would no longer have to forfeit a portion of the benefits they earned in service.  

VA Announces Longer Access to Community Care Services

Veterans referred by the VA to community care for essential specialty services – including cardiology, gastroenterology, oncology and hematology, orthopedic and pulmonary care – will now receive 12 full months of uninterrupted treatment at VA expense before having to obtain a reauthorization from the VA. Prior to this change announced by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, community care referrals often needed to be reevaluated every 90 to 180 days, which could cause interrupted or delayed care.

Financial Help for Pennsylvania Veterans Facing Hardship

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs offers financial support to veterans and their surviving dependents facing unexpected financial hardship through the Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA) Program.

If you’re experiencing an unexpected financial crisis, the VTA program can provide up to $1,600 per year to help cover essential needs like:

• Food and groceries
• Rent or mortgage payments
• Utility bills
• Fuel and heating
• Clothing and shelter

This program is designed to offer short-term relief during tough times, ensuring veterans and their families have the support they need.

Congress Considering 2026 Federal Funding for Veterans Programs

Veterans’ health care programs and benefits programs will be fully funded next year under legislation recently considered in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The most recent version of the bill, as passed by the Senate, allocates approximately $300 billion for mandatory veterans’ benefits, including disability compensation, education assistance, vocational rehabilitation and employment training. The bill is now back in the House for consideration of changes made by the Senate.

College Football Shows Appreciation for Veterans

Starting at noon on Sept. 17, veterans can request two complementary tickets to see the Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Indiana during PSU’s annual Military Appreciation football game Nov. 8 at Beaver Stadium. Two additional tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate of $35 each. Tickets will only be available as long as supplies last but all veterans with proof of military service are invited to a free Military Appreciation Tailgate before the game at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Retired military can receive free tickets through VetTix to the University of Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Boston College Oct. 4 matchup for Pitt’s annual Hail to Heroes game at Acrisure Stadium. 

Upcoming Webinar: Preventing Veteran Suicide in Community Care

Join the Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program (SRM) this month for a virtual lecture on preventing suicide among veterans receiving VA-authorized community care. The session will focus on implementing lethal means safety counseling – a strategy to reduce access to lethal methods like firearms.

What You’ll Learn:

• Veteran suicide rates
• What lethal means safety counseling is
• How to limit access to lethal means
• Insights from a recent pilot program in community health systems

How to Register in TMS:

1. Click the “Instructor Led” button
2. Select a class under “Available Classes”
3. Click “Register” in the top right
4. On the day of the event, go to the “Online Content” tab and click “Start Course”

For more info and resources, visit the TMS Resources site.

Helping Veterans Get into College

• Service to School provides free college and graduate school application counseling and admissions support to veterans.
• The University of Pennsylvania offers free pre-college bootcamps in English, Spanish, Math and Science, assistance with college applications, and financial aid and scholarships to eligible veterans living in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware or Montgomery counties through the federal Veterans Upward Bound

Tuition Assistance for Veterans

• The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans for a variety of programs including college classes.
• The Post-9/11 GI Bill can help qualifying veterans and service members and their children pay for college educational expenses.
• Many Pennsylvania colleges and universities participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program which helps qualifying veterans pay for tuition and fees the Post-9/11 GI Bill does not cover. Pennsylvania veterans who attend participating out-of-state schools may also be eligible for benefits through the program.
• Children or surviving spouses of a service member or member of the Selected Reserve who died on or after 9/11 could be eligible for 36 months of higher education financial assistance, including tuition, housing and fees, through the Fry Scholarship.
• The Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship provides added benefits to eligible veterans receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill or Fry Scholarship with up to 9 months, or $30,000 of benefits for training in high-demand STEM fields.
• The VFW Sport Clips Helps a Hero Scholarship offers up to $5,000 per semester to eligible veterans and service members looking to further their education.

Colleges That Support Veterans

• Military Friendly® Schools issues an annual designation to college and universities recognized for their commitment to being better for veterans. Pennsylvania has over 35 schools among the 2025-26 Military Friendly Schools rankings.

Support for Veteran Students

• Veterans Education Success offers free resources to help Veteran students navigating student loans, finding the right school and seeking scholarships. It also provides free legal services, advice and college and career counseling for the GI Bill.
• The Student Veterans of America® is a non-profit that provides resources, scholarship opportunities, network support and advocacy for student Veteran success to, through and beyond higher education.
• The VFW will award a Student Veteran Support Grant of up to $500 twice a year to VFW Posts or Departments for events that support student Veterans at a college or university.

Back-to-School Discounts for Veterans and Their Families

• Apple’s Veterans and Military Purchase Program gives a 10% discount through ID.me.
• HP offers up to 40% off electronics for Veterans through ID.me.

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