US Codex
Pub. L.
Notes

Title I — Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program

115th Congress · Approved Aug 16, 2017 · 131 Stat. 973 · Lineage

TITLE I Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program

SEC. 101. Consideration of Certain Time Spent Receiving Medical Care from Secretary of Defense as Active Duty for Purposes of Eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.

(a)
In General.— Section 3301(1)(B) is amended by inserting “ 12301(h),” after “ 12301(g),”.
(b)
Retroactive Application.— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to service in the Armed Forces occurring on or after September 11, 2001.
(c)
Application With Respect to Use of Entitlement.— An individual who is entitled to educational assistance by reason of the amendment made by subsection (a) may use such entitlement to pursue a course of education beginning on or after August 1, 2018.

SEC. 102. Educational Assistance under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for Members of the Armed Forces Awarded the Purple Heart.

(a)
Eligibility.— Section 3311(b) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(10) An individual who is awarded the Purple Heart for service in the Armed Forces occurring on or after September 11, 2001, and continues to serve on active duty in the Armed Forces or is discharged or released from active duty as described in subsection (c).”

(b)
Amount of Assistance.— Section 3313(c)(1) is amended by striking “ or (9)” and inserting “ (9), or (10)”.
(c)
Effective Date.— The amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2018.

SEC. 103. Inclusion of Fry Scholarship Recipients and Purple Heart Recipients in Yellow Ribbon G.i. Education Enhancement Program.

(a)
In General.— Section 3317(a) is amended, in the second sentence, by striking “ paragraphs (1) and (2)” and inserting “ paragraphs (1), (2), (9), and (10)”.
(b)
Effective Date.— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2018.

SEC. 104. Inclusion of Certain Members of the Armed Forces Serving on Active Duty in Yellow Ribbon G.i. Education Enhancement Program.

(a)
In General.— Section 3317(a) is amended, in the first sentence, by striking “ section 3313(c)(1)(A)” and inserting “ subsection (c)(1)(A) or (e)(2)(A) of section 3313 of this title”.
(b)
Effective Date.— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2022.

SEC. 105. Consolidation of Certain Eligibility Tiers under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(a)
Entitlement.— Section 3311(b), as amended by section 102, is further amended—
(1)
in paragraph (6)(A), by striking “ 12 months” and inserting “ 6 months”;
(2)
by striking paragraph (7); and
(3)
by redesignating paragraphs (8), (9), and (10) as paragraphs (7), (8), and (9), respectively.
(b)
Amount of Educational Assistance.— Section 3313(c) is amended by striking paragraph (7).
(c)
Conforming Amendments.— Chapter 33 is further amended as follows:
(1)
In section 3311(f), by striking “ paragraph (9)” each place it appears and inserting “ paragraph (8)”.
(2)
In section 3313, as amended by section 102—
(A)
in subsection (c)(1), by striking “ (9), or (10)” and inserting “ (8), or (9)”;
(B)
in subsection (d), by striking “ paragraphs (2) through (7)” each place it appears and inserting “ paragraphs (2) through (6)”;
(C)
in subsection (e)(2)(C)—
(i)
by striking “ paragraphs (3) through (8)” and inserting “ paragraphs (3) through (7)”; and
(ii)
by striking “ paragraphs (2) through (7)” and inserting “ paragraphs (2) through (6)”;
(D)
in subsection (f)(2)(A)(ii), by striking “ paragraphs (2) through (7)” and inserting “ paragraphs (2) through (6)”;
(E)
in subsection (g)(3)—
(i)
in subparagraph (A)(iv)—
(I)
by striking “ paragraphs (3) through (8)” and inserting “ paragraphs (3) through (7)”; and
(II)
by striking “ paragraphs (2) through (7)” and inserting “ paragraphs (2) through (6)”;
(ii)
in subparagraph (B)(iii)—
(I)
by striking “ paragraphs (3) through (8)” and inserting “ paragraphs (3) through (7)”; and
(II)
by striking “ paragraphs (2) through (7)” and inserting “ paragraphs (2) through (6)”;
(iii)
in subparagraph (C)(ii)—
(I)
in subclause (I), by striking “ (9)” and inserting “ (8)”; and
(II)
in subclause (II)—
(aa)
by striking “ paragraphs (3) through (8)” and inserting “ paragraphs (3) through (7)”; and
(bb)
by striking “ paragraphs (2) through (7)” and inserting “ paragraphs (2) through (6)”; and
(iv)
in subparagraph (D)(ii)—
(I)
in subclause (I), by striking “ (9)” and inserting “ (8)”; and
(II)
in subclause (II)—
(aa)
by striking “ paragraphs (3) through (8)” and inserting “ paragraphs (3) through (7)”; and
(bb)
by striking “ paragraphs (2) through (7)” and inserting “ paragraphs (2) through (6)”; and
(F)
in subsection (h), by striking “ paragraphs (2) through (7)” and inserting “ paragraphs (2) through (6)”;
(3)
In section 3316—
(A)
in subsection (a)(1), by striking “ paragraphs (2) through (7)” and inserting “ paragraphs (2) through (6)”; and
(B)
in subsection (b)(1), by striking “ paragraphs (2) through (7)” and inserting “ paragraphs (2) through (6)”.
(4)
In section 3317(a), in the second sentence, as amended by section 103, by striking “ paragraphs (1), (2), (9), and (10)” and inserting “ paragraphs (1), (2), (8), and (9)”.
(5)
In section 3321(b)(4), as amended by section 112, by striking “ section 3311(b)(9)” and inserting “ section 3311(b)(8)”.
(6)
In section 3322—
(A)
in subsection (e), by striking “ 3311(b)(9)” and inserting “ 3311(b)(8)”;
(B)
in subsection (f), by striking “ 3311(b)(9)” and inserting “ 3311(b)(8)”; and
(C)
in subsection (h)(2), by striking “ 3311(b)(9)” and inserting “ 3311(b)(8)”.
(7)
In section 3679(c)(2)(B), by striking “ 3311(b)(9)” and inserting “ 3311(b)(8)”.
(d)
Effective Date.— The amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2020.

SEC. 106. Eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance for Certain Members of Reserve Components of Armed Forces Who Lost Entitlement to Educational Assistance under Reserve Educational Assistance Program.

(a)
Election.— Section 16167 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(c) Eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.—A member who loses eligibility for benefits under this chapter pursuant to subsection (b) shall be allowed to elect (in such form and manner as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may prescribe) to have such service previously credited toward this chapter credited towards establishing eligibility for educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, notwithstanding the provisions of section 16163(e) of this title or section 3322(h)(1) of title 38.”

(b)
Qualification of Service.— Section 3301(1) of title 38, United States Code, shall be construed to include, in the case of a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who, before November 25, 2015, established eligibility for educational assistance under chapter 1607 of title 10, United States Code, pursuant to section 16163(a)(1) of such title, but lost eligibility for such educational assistance pursuant to section 16167(b) of such title, service on active duty (as defined in section 101 of such title) that satisfies the requirements of section 16163(a)(1) of such title.
(c)
Entitlement.— Section 3311(b)(6) of title 38, United States Code, shall be construed to include an individual who, before November 25, 2015, established eligibility for educational assistance under chapter 1607 of title 10, United States Code, pursuant to section 16163(b) of such title, but lost such eligibility pursuant to section 16167(b) of such title.
(d)
Duration.— Notwithstanding section 3312 of title 38, United States Code, an individual who establishes eligibility for educational assistance under chapter 33 of such title by crediting towards such chapter service previously credited towards chapter 1607 of title 10, United States Code, is only entitled to a number of months of educational assistance under section 3313 of title 38, United States Code, equal to the number of months of entitlement remaining under chapter 1607 of title 10, United States Code, at the time of conversion to chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 107. Calculation of Monthly Housing Stipend under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program Based on Location of Campus Where Classes Are Attended.

(a)
In General.— Section 3313(c)(1)(B)(i)(I) is amended by striking “ the institution of higher learning at which the individual is enrolled” and inserting “ the campus of the institution of higher learning where the individual physically participates in a majority of classes”.
(b)
Effective Date.— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to initial enrollment in a program of education on or after August 1, 2018.

SEC. 108. Charge to Entitlement for Certain Licensure and Certification Tests and National Tests under Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program.

(a)
Licensure and Certification Tests.— Subsection (c) of section 3315 is amended—
(1)
by striking “ shall be determined at the rate of one month (rounded to the nearest whole month)” and inserting “ shall be pro-rated based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the test relative to the rate for 1 month”; and
(2)
by striking “ for each amount paid that equals” and inserting “ payable”.
(b)
National Tests.— Section 3315A is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(3) A national test that evaluates prior learning and knowledge and provides an opportunity for course credit at an institution of higher learning as so described.”

; and

(2)
in subsection (c)—
(A)
by striking “ shall be determined at the rate of one month (rounded to the nearest whole month)” and inserting “ shall be pro-rated based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the test relative to the rate for 1 month”; and
(B)
by striking “ for each amount paid that equals” and inserting “ payable”.
(c)
Tests Included.— Section 3452(b) is amended in the last sentence—
(1)
by striking “ and national tests providing” and inserting “ , national tests providing”; and
(2)
by inserting before the period at the end the following: “ , and national tests that evaluate prior learning and knowledge and provides an opportunity for course credit at an institution of higher learning”.
(d)
Effective Date.— The amendments made by this Act shall apply to a test taken on or after August 1, 2018.

SEC. 109. Restoration of Entitlement to Educational Assistance and Other Relief for Veterans Affected by School Closure or Disapproval.

(a)
School Closure or Disapproval.—
(1)
Restoration of entitlement.— Chapter 36 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

Ҥ 3699. Effects of closure or disapproval of educational institution

“(a) Closure or Disapproval.—Any payment of educational assistance described in subsection (b) shall not—

“(1) be charged against any entitlement to educational assistance of the individual concerned; or

“(2) be counted against the aggregate period for which section 3695 of this title limits the receipt of educational assistance by such individual.

“(b) Educational Assistance Described.—Subject to subsection (c), the payment of educational assistance described in this paragraph is the payment of such assistance to an individual for pursuit of a course or program of education at an educational institution under chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, if the Secretary determines that the individual—

“(1) was unable to complete such course or program as a result of—

“(A) the closure of the educational institution; or

“(B) the disapproval of the course or a course that is a necessary part of that program under this chapter by reason of—

“(i) a provision of law enacted after the date on which the individual enrolls at such institution affecting the approval or disapproval of courses under this chapter; or

“(ii) after the date on which the individual enrolls at such institution, the Secretary prescribing or modifying regulations or policies of the Department affecting such approval or disapproval; and

“(2) did not receive credit or lost training time, toward completion of the program of education being so pursued.

“(c) Period Not Charged.—The period for which, by reason of this subsection, educational assistance is not charged against entitlement or counted toward the applicable aggregate period under section 3695 of this title shall not exceed the aggregate of—

“(1) the portion of the period of enrollment in the course from which the individual did not receive credit or with respect to which the individual lost training time, as determined under subsection (b)(2); and

“(2) the period by which a monthly stipend is extended under section 3680(a)(2)(B) of this title.

“(d) Continuing Pursuit of Disapproved Courses.—

(1) The Secretary may treat a course of education that is disapproved under this chapter as being approved under this chapter with respect to an individual described in paragraph (2) if the Secretary determines, on a case-by-case basis, that—

“(A) such disapproval is the result of an action described in clause (i) or (ii) of subsection (b)(1)(B); and

“(B) continuing pursuing such course is in the best interest of the individual.

“(2) An individual described in this paragraph is an individual who is pursuing a course of education at an educational institution under chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, as of the date on which the course is disapproved under this chapter.

“(e) Notice of Closures.—Not later than 5 business days after the date on which the Secretary receives notice that an educational institution will close or is closed, the Secretary shall provide to each individual who is enrolled in a course or program or education at such educational institution using entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, notice of—

“(1) such closure and the date of such closure; and

“(2) the effect of such closure on the individual’s entitlement to educational assistance pursuant to this section.”

(2)
Clerical amendment.— The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3698 the following new item:

“3699. Effects of closure or disapproval of educational institution.”.

(b)
Monthly Housing Stipend.—
(1)
In general.— Subsection (a) section 3680 is amended—
(A)
by striking the matter after paragraph (3)(B);
(B)
in paragraph (3), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;
(C)
by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively;
(D)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), as redesignated, in the first sentence, by striking “ Payment of” and inserting “ (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), payment of”; and
(E)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph (2):

“(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary may, pursuant to such regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe, continue to pay allowances to eligible veterans and eligible persons enrolled in courses set forth in paragraph (1)(A)—

“(A) during periods when educational institutions are temporarily closed under an established policy based on an Executive order of the President or due to an emergency situation, except that the total number of weeks for which allowances may continue to be so payable in any 12-month period may not exceed 4 weeks; or

“(B) solely for the purpose of awarding a monthly housing stipend described in section 3313 of this title, during periods following a permanent closure of an educational institution, or following the disapproval of a course of study described in section 3699(b)(1)(B) of this title, except that payment of such a stipend may only be continued until the earlier of—

“(i) the date of the end of the term, quarter, or semester during which the closure or disapproval occurred; and

“(ii) the date that is 120 days after the date of the closure or disapproval.”

(2)
Conforming amendment.— Paragraph (1)(C)(ii) of such subsection, as redesignated, is amended by striking “ described in subclause (A) of this clause” and inserting “ described in clause (i)”.
(c)
Applicability.—
(1)
School closure or disapproval.—
(A)
In general.— The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply with respect to courses and programs of education discontinued as described in section 3699 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), after January 1, 2015.
(B)
Special application.— With respect to courses and programs of education discontinued as described in section 3699 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), during the period beginning January 1, 2015, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act, an individual who does not transfer credits from such program of education shall be deemed to be an individual who did not receive such credits, as described in subsection (b)(2) of such section, except that the period for which the individual’s entitlement is not charged shall be the entire period of the individual’s enrollment in the program of education. In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall establish procedures to determine whether the individual transferred credits to a comparable course or program of education.
(2)
Monthly housing stipend.— The amendments made by subsection (b) shall take effect on August 1, 2018, and shall apply with respect to courses and programs of education discontinued as described in section 3699 of title 38, United States Code, as added by such subsection, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 110. Additional Authorized Transfer of Unused Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Benefits to Dependents Upon Death of Originally Designated Dependent.

(a)
Transfer Upon Death of Dependent.— Section 3319 is amended—
(1)
in subsection (f)(1), by inserting after “ section 3321” the following: “ , and except as provided in subsection (k) or (l),”; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(k) Additional Transfer Upon Death of Dependent.—In the case of a dependent to whom entitlement to educational assistance is transferred under this section who dies before using all of such entitlement, the individual who transferred the entitlement to the dependent may transfer any remaining entitlement to a different eligible dependent, notwithstanding whether the individual is serving as a member of the Armed Forces when such transfer is executed.

“(l) Transfer by Dependent.—In the case of an individual who transfers entitlement to educational assistance under this section who dies before the dependent to whom entitlement to educational assistance is so transferred has used all of such entitlement, such dependent may transfer such entitlement to another eligible dependent in accordance with the provisions of this section.”

(b)
Effective Dates.—
(1)
Eligible deaths.— The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after August 1, 2009.
(2)
Use of entitlement.— A dependent to whom entitlement to educational assistance is transferred under subsection (k) or (l) of section 3319 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), may use such entitlement to pursue a course of education beginning on or after August 1, 2018.

SEC. 111. Edith Nourse Rogers Stem Scholarship.

(a)
In General.— Subchapter II of chapter 33 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

Ҥ 3320. Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

“(a) In General.—Subject to the limitation under subsection (f), the Secretary shall provide additional benefits to eligible individuals selected by the Secretary under this section. Such benefits shall be known as the ‘Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship’.

“(b) Eligibility.—For purposes of this section, an eligible individual is an individual—

“(1) who is or was entitled to educational assistance under section 3311 of this title;

“(2) who has used all of the educational assistance to which the individual is entitled under this chapter or will, based on the individual’s rate of usage, use all of such assistance within 180 days of applying for benefits under this section;

“(3) who applies for assistance under this section; and

“(4) who—

“(A) is an individual who—

“(i) is enrolled in a program of education leading to a post-secondary degree that, in accordance with the guidelines of the applicable regional or national accrediting agency, requires more than the standard 128 semester (or 192 quarter) credit hours for completion in a standard, undergraduate college degree in—

“(I) biological or biomedical science;

“(II) physical science;

“(III) science technologies or technicians;

“(IV) computer and information science and support services;

“(V) mathematics or statistics;

“(VI) engineering;

“(VII) engineering technologies or an engineering-related field;

“(VIII) a health profession or related program;

“(IX) a medical residency program;

“(X) an agriculture science program or a natural resources science program; or

“(XI) other subjects and fields identified by the Secretary as meeting national needs;

“(ii) has completed at least 60 standard semester (or 90 quarter) credit hours in a field referred to in clause (i); or

“(B) is an individual who has earned a post-secondary degree in a field referred to in subparagraph (A)(i) and is enrolled in a program of education leading to a teaching certification.

“(c) Priority.—In selecting eligible individuals to receive additional benefits under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to the following individuals:

“(1) Individuals who require the most credit hours described in subsection (b)(4).

“(2) Individuals who are entitled to educational assistance under this chapter by reason of paragraph (1), (2), (8), or (9) of section 3311(b) of this title.

“(d) Amount of Assistance.—

(1) The Secretary shall pay to each eligible individual who receives additional benefits under this section the monthly amount payable under section 3313 of this title for not more than 9 months of the program of education in which the individual is enrolled (adjusted with respect to the individual pursuant to section 3313(c), as appropriate), except that the aggregate amount paid to an individual under this section may not exceed $30,000.

“(2) The Secretary may not pay to such an individual an amount in addition to the amount payable under paragraph (1) by reason of section 3317 of this title.

“(3) An individual who receives additional benefits under this section may also receive amounts payable by a college or university pursuant to section 3317 of this title.

“(e) Prohibition on Transfer.—An individual who receives additional benefits under this section may not transfer any amount of such additional benefits under section 3319 of this title.

“(f) Maximum Amount of Total Assistance.—The total amount of benefits paid to all eligible individuals under this section may not exceed—

“(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;

“(2) $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2022; and

“(3) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each subsequent fiscal year.

“(g) Congressional Notice.—If the Secretary identifies a new subject or field pursuant to subsection (b)(4)(A)(i)(XI) as meeting a national need, the Secretary shall submit to Congress notice of such identification at least 90 days before conferring eligibility on any individual for purposes of this section on the basis of such identification, including any analysis of labor market supply and demand used in identifying the new subject or field, as applicable.”

(b)
Clerical Amendment.— The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3319 the following new item:

“3320. Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship.”.

(c)
Effective Date.— Section 3320 of title 38, United States Code, shall take effect on August 1, 2019.
(d)
Comptroller General Report.—
(1)
Interim report.— Not later than August 1, 2022, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of an interim assessment of the Comptroller General of the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship program under section 3320 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a). Such report shall include the recommendations of the Comptroller General for improving the scholarship program and an assessment of each of the following, using rigorous, systematic, and objective methodology, and including comparisons to eligible veterans who did not participate in the program:
(A)
An explanation of the identification of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of subjects and fields meeting national needs under subsection (b)(4)(A)(i)(XI) of such section, including any analysis of labor market supply and demand, as applicable.
(B)
An evaluation of the types of educational institutions and programs where beneficiaries use the educational assistance provided under the scholarship program.
(C)
The completion rate of students participating in the program.
(D)
The job placement rate for individuals who completed a program of education using educational assistance provided under the scholarship program in the field of study of the program of education.
(E)
The median annual earnings of individuals who completed a program of education using educational assistance provided under the scholarship program.
(F)
The average age of the individuals who received educational assistance under the scholarship program.
(G)
An assessment of the extent to which any educational institutions made changes to degrees or programs of education offered by the institution for which the scholarship program may be used after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2)
Final report.— Not later than August 1, 2024, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress an assessment of such scholarship program that includes each of the following:
(A)
Each item described in subparagraph (A) through (G) of paragraph (1).
(B)
The percentage of individuals who completed a program of education using educational assistance provided under the scholarship program who were subsequently employed for a period of 6 months or longer in the field of study of the program of education.
(C)
The percentage of individuals who completed a program of education using educational assistance provided under the scholarship program who were subsequently employed for a period of less than 6 months in the field of study of the program of education.

SEC. 112. Honoring the National Service of Members of the Armed Forces by Elimination of Time Limitation for Use of Entitlement.

(a)
In General.— Subsection (a) of section 3321 is amended—
(1)
by striking “ individual’s entitlement” and all that follows through the period and inserting “ individual’s entitlement—”; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

“(1) in the case of an individual whose last discharge or release from active duty is before January, 1, 2013, expires at the end of the 15-year period beginning on the date of such discharge or release; or

“(2) in the case of an individual whose last discharge or release from active duty is on or after January 1, 2013, shall not expire.”

(b)
Children of Deceased Members.— Subsection (b)(4) of such section is amended—
(1)
by inserting “ of this title” after “ 3311(b)(9)”;
(2)
by striking “ child’s entitlement” and all that follows through the period and inserting “ child’s entitlement—”; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:

“(A) in the case of a child who first becomes entitled to such entitlement before January 1, 2013, expires at the end of the 15-year period beginning on the date of such child’s eighteenth birthday; or

“(B) in the case of a child who first becomes entitled to such entitlement on or after January 1, 2013, shall not expire.”

(c)
Spouses of Deceased Members.— Subsection (b) of such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(5) Applicability to spouses of deceased members.—The period during which a spouse entitled to educational assistance by reason of section 3311(b)(9) may use such spouse’s entitlement—

“(A) in the case of a spouse who first becomes entitled to such entitlement before January 1, 2013, expires at the end of the 15-year period beginning on the date on which the spouse first becomes entitled to such entitlement; or

“(B) in the case of a spouse who first becomes entitled to such entitlement on or after January 1, 2013, shall not expire.”

SEC. 113. Monthly Stipend for Certain Members of the Reserve Components of the Armed Forces Receiving Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.

(a)
In General.— Section 3313 is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(j) Determination of Monthly Stipends During Certain Active Duty Service.—

“(1) Pro rata basis.—In any month in which an individual described in paragraph (2) is performing active duty service described in section 3301(1)(B) of this title, the Secretary shall determine the amount of monthly stipends payable under this section for such month on a pro rata basis for the period of such month in which the covered individual is not performing such active duty service.

“(2) Individual described.—An individual described in this paragraph is an individual who is—

“(A) a member of the reserve components of the Armed Forces; and

“(B) pursuing a program of education using educational assistance under this chapter.”

(b)
Application.— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2018.

SEC. 114. Annual Reports to Congress on Information on Student Progress Submitted by Educational Institutions.

Section 3326 is amended—
(1)
by striking “ As a condition” and inserting “ (a) Submittal of Information by Educational Institutions.—As a condition”; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(b) Reports to Congress.—Not later than March 1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes a summary of the information provided by educational institutions under subsection (a) for the calendar year preceding the year during which such report is submitted.”

SEC. 115. Improvement of Information Technology of the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(a)
Processing of Certain Educational Assistance Claims.— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the maximum extent possible, make such changes and improvements to the information technology system of the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that—
(1)
to the maximum extent possible, all original and supplemental claims for educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, are adjudicated electronically; and
(2)
rules-based processing is used to make decisions with respect to such claims with little human intervention.
(b)
Implementation Plan.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a plan to implement the changes and improvements described in subsection (a).
(c)
Report.— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of the changes and improvements described in subsection (a).
(d)
Authorization of Appropriations.— There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $30,000,000 to carry out this section during fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

SEC. 116. Department of Veterans Affairs High Technology Pilot Program.

(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.
(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 has been operational for at least 2 years;
(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.
(d)
Housing Stipend.— The Secretary shall pay to each eligible veteran who is enrolled in a high technology program of education under the pilot program on a full-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 institution at which the individual is enrolled; 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 amount payable under subparagraph (A), 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, 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.— For each fiscal year during which the Secretary carries out a pilot program under this section, $15,000,000 shall be made available for such purpose from funds appropriated to, or otherwise made available to, the Department for the payment of readjustment benefits.
(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.