---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 7904"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "7904"
heading: "Preferences in awarding financial assistance"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/7904"
units:
  - "Part V — Boards, Administrations, and Services"
  - "Chapter 79 — Information Security Education Assistance Program"
---

# §7904. Preferences in awarding financial assistance


In awarding financial assistance under this chapter, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall give a preference to qualified individuals who are otherwise eligible to receive the financial assistance in the following order of priority:

- (1) [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) with [service-connected](/usc/38/101.md?p=16) disabilities.
- (2) [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2).
- (3) Persons described in [section 4215(a)(1)(B) of this title](/usc/38/4215.md?p=a-1-B).
- (4) Individuals who received or are pursuing degrees at institutions designated by the National Security Agency as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Education.
- (5) Citizens of the United States.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 109–461, title IX, § 903(a)(1), Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3463; amended Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title XVI, § 1649(d)(4), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1753.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2017—Par. (4). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted “Cyber” for “Information Assurance”.