---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 3232"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "3232"
heading: "Duration; limitations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/3232"
units:
  - "Part III — Readjustment and Related Benefits"
  - "Chapter 32 — Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance"
  - "Subchapter III — Entitlement; Duration"
---

# §3232. Duration; limitations

- (a)
  - (1) Except as provided in paragraphs [(2)](#a-2) and [(3)](#a-3), and subject to paragraph (4), of this subsection, educational assistance [benefits](/usc/38/4303.md?p=2) shall not be afforded an [eligible veteran](/usc/38/3202.md?p=1-A) under this chapter more than 10 years after the date of such [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2)’s last [discharge or release](/usc/38/101.md?p=18) from [active duty](/usc/38/3002.md?p=6).
  - (2)
    - (A) If any [eligible veteran](/usc/38/3202.md?p=1-A) was prevented from initiating or completing such [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2)’s chosen [program of education](/usc/38/3002.md?p=3) during the delimiting period determined under paragraph (1) of this subsection because of a physical or mental disability which was not the result of such [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2)’s own willful misconduct, such [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2) shall, upon application made in accordance with subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, be granted an extension of the applicable delimiting period for such length of time as the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) determines, from the evidence, that such [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2) was so prevented from initiating or completing such [program of education](/usc/38/3002.md?p=3).
    - (B) An extension of the delimiting period applicable to an [eligible veteran](/usc/38/3202.md?p=1-A) may be granted under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph by reason of the [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2)’s mental or physical disability only if the [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2) submits an application for such extension to the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) within one year after (i) the last date of the delimiting period otherwise applicable to the [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2) under paragraph (1) of this subsection, or (ii) the termination date of the period of the [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2)’s mental or physical disability, whichever is later.
  - (3) When an extension of the applicable delimiting period is granted an [eligible veteran](/usc/38/3202.md?p=1-A) under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the delimiting period with respect to such [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2) shall again begin to run on the first day after such [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2)’s recovery from such disability on which it is reasonably feasible, as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8), for such [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2) to initiate or resume pursuit of a [program of education](/usc/38/3002.md?p=3) with educational assistance under this chapter.
  - (4) For purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection, a [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2)’s last [discharge or release](/usc/38/101.md?p=18) from [active duty](/usc/38/3002.md?p=6) shall not include any [discharge or release](/usc/38/101.md?p=18) from a period of [active duty](/usc/38/3002.md?p=6) of less than 90 days of continuous service unless the individual involved is discharged or released for a [service-connected](/usc/38/101.md?p=16) disability, for a medical condition which preexisted such service and which the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) determines is not service connected, for hardship, or as a result of a reduction in force as described in [section 3011(a)(1)(A)(ii)(III) of this title](/usc/38/3011.md).
- (b)
  - (1) In the event that an [eligible veteran](/usc/38/3202.md?p=1-A) has not utilized any or all of such [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2)’s entitlement by the end of the delimiting period applicable to the [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2) under [subsection (a)](#a) of this section and at the end of one year thereafter has not filed a claim for utilizing such entitlement, such [eligible veteran](/usc/38/3202.md?p=1-A) is automatically disenrolled.
  - (2)
    - (A) Any contributions which were made by a [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2) disenrolled under paragraph (1) of this subsection and remain in the fund shall be refunded to the [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2) after [notice](/usc/38/4303.md?p=8) of disenrollment is transmitted to the [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2) and the [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2) applies for such refund.
    - (B) If no application for refund of contributions under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph is received from a disenrolled [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2) within one year after the date the [notice](/usc/38/4303.md?p=8) referred to in such subparagraph is transmitted to the [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2), it shall be presumed that the [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2)’s whereabouts is unknown and the funds shall be transferred to the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) for payments for entitlement earned under subchapter II of chapter 30.
- (c)
  - (1) Subject to [paragraph (3)](#c-3), the amount of educational assistance payable under this chapter for a licensing or certification test described in [section 3452(b) of this title](/usc/38/3452.md?p=b) is the lesser of $2,000 or the fee charged for the test.
  - (2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case of any individual for such licensing or certification test is equal to the number (including any fraction) determined by dividing the total amount paid to such individual for such test by the full-time monthly institutional rate of the educational assistance allowance which, except for [paragraph (1)](#c-1), such individual would otherwise be paid under this chapter.
  - (3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under this subsection for such a test exceed the amount of the individual’s available entitlement under this chapter.
- (d)
  - (1) Subject to [paragraph (3)](#d-3), the amount of educational assistance payable under this chapter for a national test for admission or national test providing an opportunity for course credit at institutions of higher learning described in [section 3452(b) of this title](/usc/38/3452.md?p=b) is the amount of the fee charged for the test.
  - (2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case of any individual for a test described in [paragraph (1)](#d-1) is equal to the number (including any fraction) determined by dividing the total amount of educational assistance paid such individual for such test by the full-time monthly institutional rate of educational assistance, except for [paragraph (1)](#d-1), such individual would otherwise be paid under this chapter.
  - (3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under this subsection for a test described in [paragraph (1)](#d-1) exceed the amount of the individual’s available entitlement under this chapter.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 94–502, title IV, § 404, Oct. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 2396, § 1632; amended Pub. L. 97–258, § 3(k)(2), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1065; Pub. L. 98–160, title VII, § 702(8), Nov. 21, 1983, 97 Stat 1009; Pub. L. 99–576, title III, § 311, Oct. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 3272; Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, §§ 420(a)(2), 423(b)(1)(A), Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2087, 2092; Pub. L. 102–16, § 4, Mar. 22, 1991, 105 Stat. 49; renumbered § 3232 and amended Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), (c)(1), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 104–275, title I, § 106(c)(1), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3329; Pub. L. 106–419, title I, § 122(b)(2), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1834; Pub. L. 108–454, title I, § 106(b)(2), Dec. 10, 2004, 118 Stat. 3603.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2004—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–454 added subsec. (d).

2000—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106–419 added subsec. (c).

1996—Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 104–275 struck out “, for the purposes of section 1322(a) of title 31,” after “it shall be presumed” and substituted “to the Secretary for payments for entitlement earned under subchapter II of chapter 30” for “as provided in such section”.

1991—Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), renumbered section 1632 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1), substituted “3011(a)(1)(A)(ii)(III)” for “1411(a)(1)(A)(ii)(III)”.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 102–16 inserted before comma “and at the end of one year thereafter has not filed a claim for utilizing such entitlement”.

1989—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 101–237, § 420(a)(2)(B), inserted “, and subject to paragraph (4),” before “of this subsection”.

Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 101–237, § 423(b)(1)(A), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 101–237, § 420(a)(2)(A), added par. (4).

1986—Pub. L. 99–576 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows: “No educational assistance benefits shall be afforded an eligible veteran under this chapter beyond the date of 10 years after such veteran’s last discharge or release from active duty. In the event an eligible veteran has not utilized any or all of such veterans’ entitlement by the end of the 10-year period, such eligible veteran is automatically disenrolled and any contributions made by such veteran remaining in the fund shall be refunded to the veteran following notice to the veteran and an application by the veteran for such refund. If no application is received within 1 year from date of notice, it will be presumed for the purposes of section 1322(a) of title 31 that the individual’s whereabouts is unknown and the funds shall be transferred as directed in such section.”

1983—Pub. L. 98–160 struck out the comma after “title 31” and substituted “such section” for “section 1322(a)”.

1982—Pub. L. 97–258 substituted “section 1322(a) of title 31” and “section 1322(a)” for “subsection (a) of section 725s of title 31” and “the last proviso of that subsection”, respectively.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 106–419 effective Mar. 1, 2001, and applicable with respect to licensing and certification tests approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on or after such date, see section 122(d) of Pub. L. 106–419, set out as a note under section 3032 of this title.

### Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 1, 1977, see section 406 of Pub. L. 94–502, set out as a note under section 3201 of this title.