Bridging the Gap: Championing Education for Displaced Defenders of Democracy
By Zahir Himat
Over the past four years, many former Afghan military personnel who migrated to the U.S. have faced and are still facing immense challenges while adjusting to civilian life. As individuals who once stood shoulder to shoulder with U.S. forces and NATO Coalition Partners in the fight for democracy and freedom, these veterans now encounter significant barriers to rebuilding their lives and furthering their education. The need for policies that will support their transition and reintegration into American society—particularly in higher education—has never been more urgent than it is today.
Being a former Captain of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and a full-time student at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), I have personally experienced the challenges of the educational system and the difficulties of trying to integrate and contribute to my new home of the United States. During my participation in the Student Veterans of America (SVA) Washington Week in March of 2025, I got the chance to meet with Congressional representatives and their legislative teams on Capitol Hill, advocating for this important cause, a cause I believe nobody has yet spoken for.
In the past, the United States has honored the sacrifices of foreign allies by providing educational benefits to help them rebuild their lives. After the Vietnam War, South Vietnamese veterans were granted access to education programs, enabling them to secure a future for themselves and their families in the U.S. If Congress and the U.S. government were to extend a similar opportunity to former Afghan military members, it would not only be a way to honor their service but also serve as a strategic investment in workforce development, national security, and economic growth. Providing these veterans with access to education would empower them to contribute meaningfully to American society while strengthening the nation as a whole.
During the Student Veterans of America (SVA) reception, Senator Angus King from Maine highlighted the transformative impact of the GI Bill, calling it “one of the greatest investments the U.S. Congress and government have ever made in our nation’s history, economic growth, and future.” If such policies have empowered generations of American veterans, then extending—if not identical support—at least some form of grants, funds, or scholarships to Afghan veterans would be a logical and just step forward. Providing financial assistance to those who stood alongside U.S. forces would not only honor their sacrifices but also enable them to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to American society.
The United States has been a nation that honors the principles of loyalty, service, and sacrifice. Afghan former military personnel who served alongside American troops in Afghanistan, putting their lives on the line for the same principles, should be allowed to further their education and assimilate into society with respect. The government can make sure that these individuals get the support they need to succeed by implementing scholarships, grants, or policy adjustments through agencies like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of State, or the U.S. Department of Education. Not only is it an act of gratitude to invest in their education—but it is a strategic and moral imperative that would strengthen both the workforce and the fabric of the American civil and military sector.
Enhancing the foundation of the American workforce and community is more important than merely fulfilling a moral obligation. These individuals have already demonstrated their dedication to the common ideals, and by giving them access to education, they can later contribute significantly to society. Now is the time. Not only will helping former Afghan military veterans pursue their education transform their lives, but it will also benefit the country they have made their home now and will contribute to the development of a more resilient, capable, and diverse society.
I remain hopeful that the legislative teams I had the opportunity to meet during SVA Week, along with other members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Congress, will take meaningful steps toward developing a policy or bill that would support former Afghan military members. Their commitment to U.S. veterans’ issues and national security gives me confidence and energy that they will recognize the importance of extending educational benefits to those who served alongside U.S. forces and work toward a solution that ensures their successful integration into American society.
Zahir Himat is a former Captain of the Afghan National Army (ANA), a full-time student at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and an advocate for Afghan immigrants in the U.S. He is committed to raising awareness about the challenges Afghan veterans face in rebuilding their lives and pursuing higher education in the United States.
