---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 3605"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "3605"
heading: "Payment of educational assistance in cases of withdrawal"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/3605"
units:
  - "Part III — Readjustment and Related Benefits"
  - "Chapter 36 — Administration of Educational Benefits"
  - "Subchapter I — Emergency Situations"
---

# §3605. Payment of educational assistance in cases of withdrawal

- (a) **In General.—** In the case of any individual who withdraws from a [program of education](/usc/38/3002.md?p=3) or training, other than a program by correspondence, in an [educational institution](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) under chapter [31](/usc/38/chptIII/ch31.md), [34](/usc/38/chptIII/ch34.md), or [35](/usc/38/chptIII/ch35.md) of this title for a covered reason during the period of an [emergency situation](/usc/38/3002.md?p=9), the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) shall find mitigating circumstances for purposes of [section 3680(a)(1)(C)(ii) of this title](/usc/38/3680.md?p=a-1-C-ii).
- (b) **Covered Reason.—** In this section, the term “covered reason” means any reason related to an [emergency situation](/usc/38/3002.md?p=9), including—
  - (1) illness, quarantine, or social distancing requirements;
  - (2) issues associated with accessibility;
  - (3) access or availability of childcare;
  - (4) providing care for a family member or cohabitants;
  - (5) change of location or residence due to the [emergency situation](/usc/38/3002.md?p=9) or associated school closures;
  - (6) employment changes or financial hardship; and
  - (7) issues associated with changes in format or medium of instruction.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 117–333, § 2(a)(2), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6125.)