---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 7501"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "7501"
heading: "Establishment of scholarship program; purpose"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/7501"
units:
  - "Part V — Boards, Administrations, and Services"
  - "Chapter 75 — Visual Impairment and Orientation and Mobility Professionals Educational Assistance Program"
---

# §7501. Establishment of scholarship program; purpose

- (a) **Establishment.—** Subject to the availability of appropriations, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall establish and carry out a scholarship program to provide financial assistance in accordance with this chapter to individuals who—
  - (1) are accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certificate in visual impairment or orientation and mobility, or a dual degree or certification in both such areas, at an accredited (as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)) [educational institution](/usc/38/3452.md?p=c) that is in a [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20); and
  - (2) enter into an agreement with the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) as described in [section 7504 of this title](/usc/38/7504.md).
- (b) **Purpose.—** The purpose of the scholarship program is to increase the supply of qualified blind rehabilitation specialists for the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and the Nation.
- (c) **Outreach.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall publicize the scholarship program to [educational institutions](/usc/38/3452.md?p=c) throughout the United States, with an emphasis on disseminating information to such institutions with high numbers of Hispanic students and to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 111–163, title III, § 302(a), May 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 1146.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Implementation

Pub. L. 111–163, title III, § 302(c), May 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 1149, provided that: “The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement chapter 75 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [May 5, 2010].”