---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 3603"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "3603"
heading: "Continuation of educational assistance benefits for certain programs of education converted to distance learning by reason of emergency situations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/3603"
units:
  - "Part III — Readjustment and Related Benefits"
  - "Chapter 36 — Administration of Educational Benefits"
  - "Subchapter I — Emergency Situations"
---

# §3603. Continuation of educational assistance benefits for certain programs of education converted to distance learning by reason of emergency situations


In the case of a [program of education](/usc/38/3002.md?p=3) approved by a [State](/usc/38/4101.md?p=6) approving agency, or the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) when acting in the role of a [State](/usc/38/4101.md?p=6) approving agency, that is converted from being offered on-site at an [educational institution](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) or [training establishment](/usc/38/3202.md?p=5) to being offered by distance learning by reason of an emergency or health-related situation, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8), the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) may continue to provide educational assistance under the laws administered by the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) without regard to such conversion, including with respect to paying any—

- (1) monthly housing stipends under [chapter 33](/usc/38/chptIII/ch33.md) of this title; or
- (2) payments or subsistence allowances under chapters [30](/usc/38/chptIII/ch30.md), [31](/usc/38/chptIII/ch31.md), [32](/usc/38/chptIII/ch32.md), and [35](/usc/38/chptIII/ch35.md) of this title and chapter 1606 of title 10.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 117–333, § 2(a)(2), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6123.)