The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship is a roughly semester-long immersive experience wherein fellows receive advocacy training and mentorship from each organization’s professional staff, create community outreach plans, and actively engage community and national leaders on a shared VFW and SVA policy priority. This year, VRW-SVA leaders chose H.R. 7543 / S. 3873, Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2024 as our policy priority and thus was born Project Parity. 

“Advocacy is a core pillar of the VFW’s mission, and it’s about much more than our leaders testifying before Congress,” said VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt. “It’s also about mentorship and empowering the next generation of veteran advocates to use their voices to do what they believe is right. The platform we have is only effective if we bring more veterans to the table with us, and I am thrilled to welcome the next class of student veteran legislative fellows!”

Through generous support and mentorship by VFW-SVA leaders, selected Legislative Fellows will spend the next several months drawing attention to, researching, and advocating for H.R. 7543 / S. 3873. “The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship continues to empower student veterans across the nation by giving them a platform to engage directly with Congress on the issues that matter most to our community,” said SVA National President and Chief Executive Officer Jared S. Lyon. Project Parity is that platform and we are that voice. 

Please consider supporting our work by submitting your information via our survey, writing your representative, sharing your story with Project Parity, or simply sharing our platform on your respective socials. Together, we can make a difference for others!