---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 C.F.R. § 21.5131"
title: "38"
number: "21.5131"
heading: "Educational assistance allowance."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/38/21.5131"
---

# §21.5131. Educational assistance allowance.

- (a) **General.** Statements in this section concerning payments of educational assistance allowance assume that the veteran or servicemember:
  - (1) Is eligible for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 32;
  - (2) Has remaining entitlement; and
  - (3) **Has not passed the 10-year delimiting date and any applicable extension to that date.**
- (b) **Payment of educational assistance allowance for pursuit of programs of education and other courses.**
  - (1) VA will pay educational assistance allowance at the rate specified in [§ 21.5136](/cfr/38/21.5136.md) or [§ 21.5138](/cfr/38/21.5138.md) while the veteran or servicemember is pursuing:
    - (i) An approved program of education;
    - (ii) A refresher or deficiency course; or
    - (iii) Special education or training which is necessary to enable the veteran or servicemember to pursue an approved program of education.
  - (2) Except as provided in [paragraph (c)](#c) of this section, VA will not pay educational assistance allowance for pursuit of any course unless the course is:
    - (i) Part of the veteran's or servicemember's program of education;
    - (ii) A refresher or deficiency course; or
    - (iii) Special education or training which is necessary to enable the veteran or servicemember to pursue an approved program of education.
  - (3) VA may withhold a payment until it receives verification or certification of the veteran's or servicemember's continued enrollment and adjusts accordingly the veteran's or servicemember's account.
- (c) **Payment for taking a licensing or certification test.** VA will pay educational assistance allowance to an eligible veteran or servicemember who takes an approved licensing or certification test and applies, in accordance with the provisions of [§ 21.1030(b)](/cfr/38/21.1030.md?p=b), for that assistance. VA will not pay educational assistance for a licensing or certification test that neither a State approving agency nor VA has approved.

## Notes

### Amendments

[72 FR 16978, Apr. 5, 2007]

### Authority

Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), chs. 32, 36, and as noted in specific sections.

### Source

Source: 45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[72 FR 16978, Apr. 5, 2007]