Veterans Success on Campus Act of 2016

To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide educational and vocational counseling for veterans on campuses of institutions of higher learning, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Success on Campus Act of 2016 2. Department of Veterans Affairs provision of on-campus educational and vocational counseling for veterans (a) In general Chapter 36 section 3697A 3697B. On-campus educational and vocational counseling (a) In general The Secretary shall provide educational and vocational counseling services for veterans at locations on the campuses of institutions of higher learning selected by the Secretary. Such counseling services shall be provided by employees of the Department who provide such services under section 3697A of this title. (b) Selection of locations (1) To be selected by the Secretary under this section, an institution of higher learning shall provide an appropriate space on the campus of the institution where counseling services can be provided under this section. (2) In selecting locations for the provision of counseling services under this section, the Secretary shall seek to select locations where the maximum number of veterans would have access to such services. (c) Annual report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the counseling services provided under this section. Such report shall include, for the year covered by the report— (1) the average ratio of counselors providing such services to veterans who received such services at each location where such services were provided; (2) a description of such services provided; (3) the recommendations of the Secretary for improving the provision of such services; and (4) any other matters the Secretary determines appropriate. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3697A the following new item: 3697B. On-campus educational and vocational counseling. . 3. Charge to entitlement for certain licensure and certification tests and national tests under Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program (a) Licensure and certification tests Section 3315(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking shall be determined shall be pro-rated based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the test. (b) National tests Section 3315A of such title is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) A national test that evaluates prior learning and knowledge and provides an opportunity for course credit at an institution of higher learning as so described. ; and (2) in subsection (c), by striking shall be determined shall be pro-rated based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the test. (c) Effective date The amendments made by this Act shall apply to a test taken after the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 4. Modification of percentage increase in rates payable under Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance programs (a) All-Volunteer force Section 3015(h)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking fiscal year 2014 fiscal year 2025 (2) by striking fiscal year 2013 fiscal year 2024 (b) Survivors and dependents Section 3564(b) of such title is amended— (1) by striking fiscal year 2014 fiscal year 2025 (2) by striking fiscal year 2013 fiscal year 2024 5. Extension of authority for Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education Section 3692(c) of such title is amended by striking December 31, 2016 December 31, 2021 6. Training for school certifying officials (a) Training requirement The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in consultation with the State approving agencies, set forth requirements relating to training for school certifying officials employed by covered educational institutions offering courses of education approved under chapter 36 (b) Definitions In this section: (1) The term covered educational institution (2) The term school certifying official (3) The term State approving agency 7. Limitation on use of reporting fees payable to educational institutions and joint apprenticeship training committees Section 3684(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (c) (1) The Secretary may pay to any educational institution, or to the sponsor of a program of apprenticeship, furnishing education or training under either this chapter or chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title, a reporting fee which will be in lieu of any other compensation or reimbursement for reports or certifications which such educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee is required to submit to the Secretary by law or regulation. (2) Such reporting fee shall be computed for each calendar year by multiplying $12 by the number of eligible veterans or eligible persons enrolled under this chapter or chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title, or $15 in the case of those eligible veterans and eligible persons whose educational assistance checks are directed in care of each institution for temporary custody and delivery and are delivered at the time of registration as provided under section 3680(d)(4) of this title, during the calendar year. The reporting fee shall be paid to such educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee as soon as feasible after the end of the calendar year for which it is applicable. (3) No reporting fee payable to an educational institution under this subsection shall be subject to offset by the Secretary against any liability of such institution for any overpayment for which such institution may be administratively determined to be liable under section 3685 of this title unless such liability is not contested by such institution or has been upheld by a final decree of a court of appropriate jurisdiction. (4) Any reporting fee paid to an educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee after the date of the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2011 ( Public Law 111–377 (A) shall be utilized by such institution or committee solely for the making of certifications required under this chapter or chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title or for otherwise supporting programs for veterans; and (B) with respect to an institution that has 75 or more enrollees described in paragraph (2), may not be used for or merged with amounts available for the general fund of the educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee. (5) The reporting fee payable under this subsection shall be paid from amounts appropriated for readjustment benefits. . 8. Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General heightened scrutiny of programs of education (a) In general Subchapter II of chapter 36 3699. Inspector General heightened scrutiny of programs of education (a) Heightened scrutiny required The Inspector General of the Department shall apply heightened scrutiny to any program of education if any Federal or State agency has made a final judgment or settlement that the program of education used deceptive or misleading practices that are potentially in violation of section 3696 of this title. (b) Notice to students (1) Upon commencement of heightened scrutiny with respect to a program of education under this section, the Secretary shall provide notice of the heightened scrutiny and the reasons for such heightened scrutiny to any individual who— (A) is enrolled in a course of education approved under this chapter provided by the program of education; and (B) is entitled to educational assistance under the laws administered by the Secretary. (2) The Secretary shall provide to any individual who receives notice under this subsection advice that the individual— (A) request a copy of the individual’s transcript; and (B) seek counseling from an appropriate advisor about transferring any credits earned at the program of education. (c) Monitoring of allegations The Secretary shall monitor allegations of deceptive and misleading practices made against programs of education offering courses of education approved for purposes of this chapter, including Federal and State investigations. The Secretary shall include information about any such allegation on the GI Bill Comparison Tool, or any similar Internet website of the Department. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to subchapter II the following new item: 3699. Inspector General heightened scrutiny of programs of education. . 9. Department of Veterans Affairs disapproval of courses of education offered by institutions of higher learning accused of certain deceptive or misleading practices Section 3679 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) (1) The Secretary shall disapprove a course of education provided by an institution of higher learning if the Secretary determines pursuant to heightened scrutiny applied by the Inspector General under section 3699 of this title that the institution of higher learning has engaged in practices that are in violation of section 3696 of this title. (2) The Secretary shall provide counseling services to individuals enrolled in a course of education disapproved under paragraph (1) to assist such individuals in transferring to another institution of higher learning. . September 7, 2016 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: Veterans Success on Campus Act of 2016 (Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) provide educational and vocational counseling services for veterans at VA-selected institutions of higher learning, and (2) select locations where the maximum number of veterans would have access to such services. (Sec. 3) The bill revises the fee that is deducted from a veteran's education entitlement under the Post-9/11 educational assistance program from a monthly to a prorated fee for: (1) certain license and certification tests, and (2) national tests. (Sec. 4) The bill extends provisions requiring rounding down to the next lower dollar amount through FY2024, and rounding to the nearest whole dollar amount after FY2024, with respect to veterans educational assistance increases for: (1) the All-Volunteer Force, and (2) survivors and dependents. (Sec. 5) The Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education is extended through December 31, 2021. (Sec. 6) The VA shall, in consultation with state approving agencies, prescribe training requirements for a school certifying official (SCO) employed by a covered educational institution offering approved veterans education courses. The VA may disapprove any course of education offered by a covered educational institution that does not ensure that an SCO meets such requirements. (A covered educational institution is an institution that has enrolled 20 or more individuals using veterans educational assistance.) (Sec. 7) A reporting fee paid by the VA to an educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee after the date of enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2011 with respect to an institution that has 75 or more enrollees may not be used for or merged with amounts available for the general fund of the educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee. (Sec. 8) The VA Inspector General shall apply heightened scrutiny to any education program if any federal or state agency has made a final judgment or settlement that the program used deceptive or misleading practices that are potentially in violation of advertising, sales, and enrollment practices. The VA shall: (1) provide notice of, and the reasons for, such heightened scrutiny to an individual who is enrolled in an approved course and entitled to educational assistance; and (2) advise such individual to request a transcript and seek counseling about transferring any credits earned. The VA shall: (1) monitor allegations of deceptive and misleading practices made against educational programs; and (2) include information about any such allegation on the GI Bill Comparison Tool or any similar VA website. (Sec. 9) The VA shall: (1) disapprove a course of education provided by an institution of higher learning if the VA determines, pursuant to such heightened scrutiny, that the institution has engaged in deceptive or misleading practices; and (2) provide transfer counseling services to individuals enrolled in a disapproved course.