SUBCHAPTER I—PURPOSES; DEFINITIONS

§3001. Purposes

The purposes of this chapter are—

(1) to provide a new educational assistance program to assist in the readjustment of members of the Armed Forces to civilian life after their separation from military service;

(2) to extend the benefits of a higher education to qualifying men and women who might not otherwise be able to afford such an education;

(3) to provide for vocational readjustment and to restore lost educational opportunities to those service men and women who served on active duty after June 30, 1985;

(4) to promote and assist the All-Volunteer Force program and the Total Force Concept of the Armed Forces by establishing a new program of educational assistance based upon service on active duty or a combination of service on active duty and in the Selected Reserve (including the National Guard) to aid in the recruitment and retention of highly qualified personnel for both the active and reserve components of the Armed Forces;

(5) to give special emphasis to providing educational assistance benefits to aid in the retention of personnel in the Armed Forces; and

(6) to enhance our Nation's competitiveness through the development of a more highly educated and productive work force.

(Added Pub. L. 98–525, title VII, §702(a)(1), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2553, §1401; amended Pub. L. 100–48, §5, June 1, 1987, 101 Stat. 331; renumbered §3001, Pub. L. 102–83, §5(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Prior section 3001 was renumbered section 5101 of this title.

Amendments

1991—Pub. L. 102–83 renumbered section 1401 of this title as this section.

1987—Pars. (2) to (6). Pub. L. 100–48 added pars. (2), (3), and (6), redesignated former pars. (2) and (3) as (4) and (5), respectively, struck out "and" after "Forces;" in par. (4), and substituted "Forces; and" for "Forces." in par. (5).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Department of Veterans Affairs High Technology Pilot Program

Pub. L. 115–48, title I, §116, Aug. 16, 2017, 131 Stat. 986, as amended by Pub. L. 115–407, title I, §105, Dec. 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 5371; Pub. L. 116–315, title IV, §4302, Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 5017; Pub. L. 117–103, div. DD, §101, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 1111, provided that:

"(a) Pilot Program.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary shall provide eligible veterans with the opportunity to enroll in high technology programs of education that the Secretary determines provide training or skills sought by employers in a relevant field or industry.

"(b) Eligibility.—For purposes of the pilot program under this section, an eligible veteran is a veteran who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 30, 32, 33, 34, or 35 of title 38, United States Code, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, United States Code. The Secretary shall treat an individual as an eligible veteran if the Secretary determines that the individual shall become an eligible veteran fewer than 180 days after the date of such determination. If an individual treated as an eligible veteran by reason of the preceding sentence does anything to make the veteran ineligible during the 180-day period referred to in such sentence, the Secretary may require the veteran to repay any benefits received by such veteran by reason of such sentence.

"(c) Contracts.—

"(1) In general.—For purposes of carrying out subsection (a), by not later than 180 days after August 1, 2018, the Secretary shall seek to enter into contracts with any number of qualified providers of high technology programs of education for the provision of such programs to eligible veterans under the pilot program. Each such contract shall provide for the conditions under which the Secretary may terminate the contract with the provider and the procedures for providing for the completion of the instruction of students who were enrolled in a program provided by such provider in the case of such a termination.

"(2) Payment of contractors.—A contract under this subsection shall provide that the Secretary shall pay to a provider—

"(A) upon the enrollment of an eligible veteran in the program, 25 percent of the cost of the tuition and other fees for the program of education for the veteran;

"(B) upon the completion of the program by the veteran, 25 percent of such cost; and

"(C) upon the employment of the veteran in the field of study of the program following completion of the program, 50 percent of such cost.

"(3) Qualified providers.—For purposes of the pilot program, a provider of a high technology program of education is qualified if—

"(A) the provider employs instructors whom the Secretary determines are experts in their respective fields in accordance with paragraph (6);

"(B) the provider has successfully provided the high technology program for at least 1 year; and

"(C) the provider meets the approval criteria developed by the Secretary under paragraph (4).

"(4) Approval criteria.—The Secretary shall develop criteria for approving providers for purposes of the pilot program. In developing such criteria, the Secretary may consult with State approving agencies. Such criteria is not required to meet the requirements of section 3672 of title 38, United States Code.

"(5) Tuition reimbursement.—In entering into contracts to carry out the pilot program, the Secretary shall give preference to a qualified provider that offers tuition reimbursement for any student who—

"(A) completes a program of education offered by the provider; and

"(B) does not find full-time meaningful employment in the field of study of the program within the 180-day period beginning on the date the student completes the program.

"(6) Experts.—The Secretary shall determine whether instructors are experts under paragraph (3)(A) based on evidence furnished to the Secretary by the provider regarding the ability of the instructors to—

"(A) identify professions in need of new employees to hire, tailor the programs to meet market needs, and identify the employers likely to hire graduates;

"(B) effectively teach the skills offered to eligible veterans;

"(C) provide relevant industry experience in the fields of programs offered to incoming eligible veterans; and

"(D) demonstrate relevant industry experience in such fields of programs.

"(d) Housing Stipend.—The Secretary shall pay to each eligible veteran (not including an individual described in the second sentence of subsection (b)) who is enrolled in a high technology program of education under the pilot program on a full-time or part-time basis a monthly housing stipend equal to the product—

"(1) of—

"(A) in the case of a veteran pursuing resident training, the monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing payable under section 403 of title 37, United States Code, for a member with dependents in pay grade E–5 residing in the military housing area that encompasses all or the majority portion of the ZIP code area in which is located the campus of the institution where the individual physically participates in a majority of classes; or

"(B) in the case of a veteran pursuing a program of education through distance learning, a monthly amount equal to 50 percent of the national average of the monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing payable under section 403 of title 37, United States Code, for a member with dependents in pay grade E–5, multiplied by

"(2) the lesser of—

"(A) 1.0; or

"(B) the number of course hours borne by the individual in pursuit of the program of education involved, divided by the minimum number of course hours required for full-time pursuit of such program of education, rounded to the nearest multiple of 10.

"(e) High Technology Program of Education Defined.—In this section, the term 'high technology program of education' means a program of education that—

"(1) is offered by an entity other than an institution of higher learning;

"(2) does not lead to a degree; and

"(3) provides instruction in computer programming, computer software, media application, data processing, or information sciences.

"(f) Reports.—

"(1) Secretary of veterans affairs.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 16, 2017], and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program under this section.

"(2) Comptroller general.—

"(A) Interim report.—Not later than 3 years after the date on which the Secretary first enters into a contract under this section, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the interim assessment of the Comptroller General. Such report shall include the recommendations of the Comptroller General for improving the pilot program and an assessment of each of the following:

"(i) The technology experience of the directors and instructors of the providers of high technology programs of education under the pilot program.

"(ii) Whether the providers cooperated with the technology industry to create the curriculum for the program of education.

"(iii) Whether the providers use an open source curriculum for the program of education.

"(iv) The admittance rate into the pilot program.

"(v) The job placement and retention rate for veterans who completed a program of education under the pilot program in the field of study of the program.

"(vi) The percentage of veterans who completed a program of education under the pilot program who were subsequently employed for a period of 6 months or longer in a field of study of the program.

"(vii) The percentage of veterans who completed a program of education under the pilot program who were subsequently employed for a period of less than 6 months in a field of study of the program.

"(viii) The median annual salary of veterans who completed a program of education under the pilot program and were subsequently employed.

"(ix) As applicable, the transfer rates to other academic or vocational programs and certifications and licensure exam passage rates.

"(x) The average age of veterans who participated in the pilot program.

"(B) Final report.—Not later than 5 years after the date on which the Secretary first enters into a contract under this section, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a final report on the pilot program. Such report shall include the recommendation of the Comptroller General with respect to whether the program should be extended and an assessment of each item described in clauses (i) through (x) of subparagraph (A).

"(g) Authorization of Appropriations.—Funds shall be made available to carry out the pilot program under this section from funds appropriated to, or otherwise made available to, the Department for the payment of readjustment benefits, in the following amounts for a fiscal year in which the Secretary carries out the pilot program:

"(1) For fiscal year 2019, $15,000,000.

"(2) For fiscal year 2020, $15,000,000.

"(3) For fiscal year 2021, $45,000,000.

"(4) For fiscal year 2022, $125,000,000.

"(5) For fiscal year 2023, $45,000,000.

"(6) For fiscal year 2024, $45,000,000.

"(h) Termination.—The authority to carry out a pilot program under this section shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date on which the Secretary first enters into a contract under this section.

"(i) Prohibition on Certain Accounting of Assistance.—The Secretary may not consider enrollment in a high technology program of education under this section to be assistance under a provision of law referred to in section 3695 of title 38, United States Code."

§3002. Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter—

(1) The term "basic educational assistance" means educational assistance provided under subchapter II of this chapter.

(2) The term "supplemental educational assistance" means educational assistance provided under subchapter III of this chapter.

(3) The term "program of education"—

(A) has the meaning given such term in section 3452(b) of this title;

(B) includes—

(i) a preparatory course for a test that is required or used for admission to an institution of higher education; and

(ii) a preparatory course for a test that is required or used for admission to a graduate school; and

(C) in the case of an individual who is not serving on active duty, includes (i) a full-time program of apprenticeship or of other on-job training approved as provided in clause (1) or (2), as appropriate, of section 3687(a) of this title, and (ii) a cooperative program (as defined in section 3482(a)(2) of this title).

(4) The term "Selected Reserve" means the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve of any of the reserve components (including the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States) of the Armed Forces, as required to be maintained under section 10143(a) of title 10.

(5) The term "Secretary of Defense" means the Secretary of Defense, except that it means the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy.

(6) The term "active duty" does not include any period during which an individual (A) was assigned full time by the Armed Forces to a civilian institution for a course of education which was substantially the same as established courses offered to civilians, (B) served as a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies, or (C) served under the provisions of section 12103(d) of title 10 pursuant to an enlistment in the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, or as a Reserve for service in the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve.

(7) The term "active duty" includes full-time National Guard duty first performed after June 30, 1985, by a member of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States in the member's status as a member of the National Guard of a State for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the National Guard.

(8) The term "educational institution" has the meaning given such term in section 3452(c) of this title.

(9) The term "emergency situation" has the meaning given such term in section 3601 of this title.

(Added Pub. L. 98–525, title VII, §702(a)(1), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2554, §1402; amended Pub. L. 99–576, title III, §301(a), Oct. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 3267; Pub. L. 100–689, title I, §§108(a)(1), 111(a)(1), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4169, 4170; Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, §423(b)(3), Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2092; Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title V, §563(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1575; renumbered §3002 and amended Pub. L. 102–83, §5(a), (c)(1), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1677(d)(2), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3020; Pub. L. 103–446, title VI, §603(b), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4671; Pub. L. 104–275, title I, §107(a), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3329; Pub. L. 106–117, title VII, §701, Nov. 30, 1999, 113 Stat. 1582; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, §1704(d), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2315; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §515(e)(2), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3236; Pub. L. 117–333, §3(e)(2), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6127.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Prior sections 3002 to 3004 were renumbered sections 5102 to 5104 of this title, respectively.

Another prior section 3004, Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1225, related to reopening of disallowed claims and to effective date of any subsequent awards, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 87–825, §§5(a), 7, Oct. 15, 1962, 76 Stat. 950, effective first day of second calendar month which begins after Oct. 15, 1962.

Prior sections 3005 to 3010 were renumbered sections 5105 to 5110 of this title, respectively.

Amendments

2023—Par. (9). Pub. L. 117–333 added par. (9).

2006—Par. (6)(C). Pub. L. 109–163 substituted "Navy Reserve" for "Naval Reserve".

2002—Par. (5). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted "of Homeland Security" for "of Transportation".

1999—Par. (3)(B), (C). Pub. L. 106–117 added subpar. (B) and redesignated former subpar. (B) as (C).

1996—Par. (7). Pub. L. 104–275 substituted "June 30, 1985" for "November 29, 1989".

1994—Par. (4). Pub. L. 103–337, §1677(d)(2)(A), substituted "section 10143(a) of title 10" for "section 268(b) of title 10".

Par. (6). Pub. L. 103–337, §1677(d)(2)(B), substituted "section 12103(d) of title 10" for "section 511(d) of title 10".

Par. (8). Pub. L. 103–446 added par. (8).

1991—Pub. L. 102–83, §5(a), renumbered section 1402 of this title as this section.

Par. (3). Pub. L. 102–83, §5(c)(1), substituted "3452(b)" for "1652(b)" in subpar. (A) and "3687(a)" for "1787(a)" and "3482(a)(2)" for "1682(a)(2)" in subpar. (B).

1990—Par. (7). Pub. L. 101–510 added par. (7).

1989—Par. (5). Pub. L. 101–237 amended par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (5) read as follows: "The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Defense with respect to members of the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy."

1988—Par. (3)(B). Pub. L. 100–689, §111(a)(1), substituted "in the case of an individual who is not serving on active duty, includes" for "includes".

Pub. L. 100–689, §108(a)(1), inserted cl. (i) designation and added cl. (ii).

1986—Par. (3). Pub. L. 99–576 amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: "The term 'program of education' has the meaning given such term in section 1652(b) of this title."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as a note under section 101 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–337 effective Dec. 1, 1994, except as otherwise provided, see section 1691 of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10001 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title V, §563(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1575, as amended by Pub. L. 102–83, §5(c)(2), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406, provided that: "The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply only to individuals who before the date of entry on active duty, as defined in section 3002(7) [formerly 1402(7)] of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), have never served on active duty as defined in section 101(21) of that title."

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–689, title I, §108(c), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4170, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 1432, 1602, and 1631 [now 3032, 3202, and 3231] of this title] shall take effect on January 1, 1989."

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

Election of Benefits Under 1996 Amendments

Pub. L. 104–275, title I, §107(b), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3329, provided that:

"(1) An individual may only become eligible for benefits under chapter 30 of title 38, United States Code, as a result of the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] by making an election to become entitled to basic educational assistance under such chapter. The election may only be made during the nine-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 9, 1996] and in the manner required by the Secretary of Defense.

"(2) In the case of any individual making an election under paragraph (1)—

"(A) the basic pay of an individual who, while a member of the Armed Forces, makes an election under paragraph (1) shall be reduced (in a manner determined by the Secretary of Defense) until the total amount by which such basic pay is reduced is $1,200; or

"(B) to the extent that basic pay is not so reduced before the individual's discharge or release from active duty, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall collect from an individual who makes such an election an amount equal to the difference between $1,200 and the total amount of reductions under subparagraph (A), which amount shall be paid into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.

"(3) In the case of any individual making an election under paragraph (1), the 10-year period referred to in section 3031 of such title shall begin on the later of—

"(A) the date determined under such section 3031; or

"(B) the date on which the election under paragraph (1) becomes effective."