---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 7655"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "7655"
heading: "Breach of agreement; liability"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/7655"
units:
  - "Part V — Boards, Administrations, and Services"
  - "Chapter 76 — Health Professionals Educational Assistance Program"
  - "Subchapter V — Stipend Program for Members of the Selected Reserve"
---

# §7655. Breach of agreement; liability

- (a)
  - (1) Subject to [paragraph (2)](#a-2), an individual who is receiving or has received a [reserve](/usc/38/101.md?p=26) member stipend under this subchapter and who fails to perform the service for which the individual is obligated under [section 7654 of this title](/usc/38/7654.md) shall be liable to the United States in an amount determined in accordance with [section 7617(c)(1) of this title](/usc/38/7617.md?p=c-1).
  - (2) An individual who, as a result of performing [active duty](/usc/38/101.md?p=21) (including [active duty for training](/usc/38/101.md?p=22)), is unable to perform the service for which the individual is obligated under [section 7654 of this title](/usc/38/7654.md) shall be permitted to perform that service upon completion of the [active duty](/usc/38/101.md?p=21) service (or [active duty for training](/usc/38/101.md?p=22)). The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may, by regulation, waive the requirement for the performance of the service for which the individual is obligated under [section 7654 of this title](/usc/38/7654.md) in any case in which the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) determines that the individual is unable to perform the service for reasons beyond the control of the individual or in any case in which the waiver would be in the best interest of the individual and the United States.
- (b) Any amount owed the United States under [subsection (a)](#a) of this section shall be paid to the United States during the one-year period beginning on the date of the breach of the agreement.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 101–366, title II, § 205(a)(1), Aug. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 440, § 4355; renumbered § 7655 and amended Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, § 402(b)(1), (d)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238, 239.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1991—Pub. L. 102–40, § 402(b)(1), renumbered section 4355 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 102–40, § 402(d)(1), substituted “7654” for “4354” and “7617(c)(1)” for “4317(c)(1)”.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 102–40, § 402(d)(1), substituted “7654” for “4354” in two places.