GI Bill Education Quality Enhancement Act of 2015

To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the process of approving courses of education pursued using educational benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the GI Bill Education Quality Enhancement Act of 2015 2. Role of State approving agencies (a) Approval of certain courses Section 3672(b)(2)(A) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking the following a program of education is deemed to be approved for purposes of this chapter if a State approving agency determines that the program is one of the following programs: (b) Approval of other courses Section 3675 of such title amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1)— (A) by striking The Secretary or a State approving agency A State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency, (B) by striking offered by proprietary for-profit educational institutions not covered by section 3672 of this title (2) in subsection (b), by striking the Secretary or the State approving agency the State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency, 3. Criteria used to approve nonaccredited courses (a) In general Section 3676(c)(14) of such title is amended by inserting before the period the following: if the Secretary, in consultation with the State approving agency and pursuant to regulations prescribed to carry out this paragraph, determines such criteria are necessary and treat public, private, and proprietary for-profit educational institutions equitably (b) Application The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to an investigation conducted under section 3676(c) of title 38, United States Code, that is covered by a reimbursement of expenses paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to a State pursuant to section 3674 of such title on or after the first day of the first fiscal year following the date of the enactment of this Act. 4. Clarification of assistance provided for certain flight training (a) In general Subsection (c)(1)(A) of section 3313 of such title is amended— (1) in clause (i)— (A) by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively; (B) by striking In the case of a program of education pursued at a public institution of higher learning (I) Subject to subclause (II), in the case of a program of education pursued at a public institution of higher learning not described in clause (ii)(II)(bb) (C) by adding at the end the following new subclause: (II) In determining the actual net cost for in-State tuition and fees pursuant to subclause (I), the Secretary may not pay for fees relating to flight training. ; and (2) in clause (ii)— (A) in subclause (I), by redesignating items (aa) and (bb) as subitems (AA) and (BB), respectively; (B) in subclause (II), by redesignating items (aa) and (bb) as subitems (AA) and (BB), respectively; (C) by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively; (D) by striking In the case of a program of education pursued at a non-public or foreign institution of higher learning (I) In the case of a program of education described in subclause (II) (E) by adding at the end the following new subclause: (II) A program of education described in this subclause is any of the following: (aa) A program of education pursued at a non-public or foreign institution of higher learning. (bb) A program of education pursued at a public institution of higher learning in which flight training is required to earn the degree being pursued (including with respect to a dual major, concentration, or other element of such a degree). . (b) Application The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 5. Compliance surveys (a) In general Section 3693 of such title is amended— (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following new subsection (a): (a) (1) Except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary shall conduct an annual compliance survey of educational institutions and training establishments offering one or more courses approved for the enrollment of eligible veterans or persons if at least 20 such veterans or persons are enrolled in any such course. The Secretary shall— (A) design the compliance surveys to ensure that such institutions or establishments, as the case may be, and approved courses are in compliance with all applicable provisions of chapters 30 through 36 of this title; (B) survey each such educational institution and training establishment not less than once during every two-year period; and (C) assign not fewer than one education compliance specialist to work on compliance surveys in any year for each 40 compliance surveys required to be made under this section for such year. (2) The Secretary, in consultation with the State approving agencies, shall— (A) annually determine the parameters of the surveys required under paragraph (1); and (B) not later than September 1 of each year, make available to the State approving agencies a list of the educational institutions and training establishments that will be surveyed during the fiscal year following the date of making such list available. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) In this section, the terms educational institution training establishment . (b) Conforming amendments Subsection (b) of such section is amended— (1) by striking subsection (a) of this section for an annual compliance survey subsection (a)(1) for a compliance survey (2) by striking institution educational institution or training establishment (3) by striking institution's demonstrated record of compliance record of compliance of such institution or establishment

Summary: GI Bill Education Quality Enhancement Act of 2015 Deems specified education programs to be approved for veterans' education benefit purposes if a state approving agency determines that they qualify. Authorizes a state approving agency, or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) acting in the role of a state approving agency, to approve other accredited programs for such purposes. Continues to allow state approving agencies to establish additional criteria (other than those set forth in current law) for the approval of nonaccredited courses, but requires VA to determine that such criteria are necessary and treat public, private, and proprietary for-profit educational institutions equitably. Prohibits VA from including flight training fees in the in-state tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education (IHEs) that are covered by post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance. Requires post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance for flight training programs at public IHEs to be determined in the same manner as such assistance for education programs pursued at non-public or foreign IHEs is determined. Directs VA to conduct an annual compliance survey of educational institutions and training establishments offering courses approved for veterans' education benefits if at least 20 individuals who are eligible for such benefits are enrolled in any such course. (Currently, an annual compliance survey of each institution offering such courses must be conducted if at least 300 beneficiaries are enrolled or if any such course does not lead to a standard college degree.) Authorizes VA to waive the annual survey for institutions or establishments that have a record of compliance. Requires VA to conduct a biennial survey of each educational institution and training establishment that offers courses approved for veterans' education benefits.