II 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3218 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
JULY 25, 2017 
Received 
AN ACT 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain 
improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act 
of 2017’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code. 
TITLE I—POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 
Sec. 101. Consideration of certain time spent receiving medical care from Sec-
retary of Defense as active duty for purposes of eligibility for 
Post-9/11 Educational Assistance. 
Sec. 102. Educational assistance under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Pro-
gram for members of the Armed Forces awarded the Purple 
Heart. 
Sec. 103. Inclusion of Fry Scholarship recipients and Purple Heart recipients 
in Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program. 
Sec. 104. Inclusion of certain members of the Armed Forces serving on active 
duty in Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program. 
Sec. 105. Consolidation of certain eligibility tiers under Post-9/11 Educational 
Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 106. Eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance for certain members 
of reserve components of Armed Forces who lost entitlement to 
educational assistance under Reserve Educational Assistance 
Program. 
Sec. 107. Calculation of monthly housing stipend under Post-9/11 Educational 
Assistance Program based on location of campus where classes 
are attended. 
Sec. 108. Charge to entitlement for certain licensure and certification tests and 
national tests under Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 
Educational Assistance Program. 
Sec. 109. Restoration of entitlement to educational assistance and other relief 
for veterans affected by school closure or disapproval. 
Sec. 110. Additional authorized transfer of unused Post-9/11 Educational As-
sistance benefits to dependents upon death of originally des-
ignated dependent. 
Sec. 111. Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship. 
Sec. 112. Honoring the national service of members of the Armed Forces by 
elimination of time limitation for use of entitlement. 
Sec. 113. Monthly stipend for certain members of the reserve components of 
the Armed Forces receiving Post-9/11 Educational Assistance. 
Sec. 114. Annual reports to Congress on information on student progress sub-
mitted by educational institutions. 
Sec. 115. Improvement of information technology of the veterans benefits ad-
ministration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 116. Department of Veterans Affairs high technology pilot program. 
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TITLE II—OTHER EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 
Sec. 201. Work-study allowance. 
Sec. 202. Duration of educational assistance under Survivors’ and Dependents’ 
Educational Assistance Program. 
Sec. 203. Olin E. Teague increase in amounts of educational assistance payable 
under Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Pro-
gram. 
TITLE III—ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAMS 
Sec. 301. State approving agency funding. 
Sec. 302. Authorization for use of Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to pursue 
independent study programs at certain educational institutions 
that are not institutions of higher learning. 
Sec. 303. Provision of information on priority enrollment for veterans in certain 
courses of education. 
Sec. 304. Limitation on use of reporting fees payable to educational institutions 
and sponsors of programs of apprenticeship. 
Sec. 305. Training for school certifying officials. 
Sec. 306. Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Education. 
Sec. 307. Department of Veterans Affairs provision of on-campus educational 
and vocational counseling for veterans. 
Sec. 308. Provision of information regarding veteran entitlement to educational 
assistance. 
Sec. 309. Treatment, for purposes of educational assistance administered by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, of educational courses that 
begin seven or fewer days after the first day of an academic 
term. 
Sec. 310. Inclusion of risk-based reviews in State approving agency oversight 
activities. 
Sec. 311. Comptroller General study of State approving agency performance. 
TITLE IV—RESERVE COMPONENT BENEFITS 
Sec. 401. Eligibility of reserve component members for Post-9/11 Educational 
Assistance. 
Sec. 402. Time limitation for training and rehabilitation for veterans with serv-
ice-connected disabilities. 
TITLE V—OTHER MATTERS 
Sec. 501. Repeal inapplicability of modification of basic allowance for housing 
to benefits under laws administered by Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs. 
Sec. 502. Reconsideration of previously denied claims for disability compensa-
tion for veterans who allege full-body exposure to nitrogen 
mustard gas, sulfur mustard gas, or Lewisite during World 
War II. 
SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE. 
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in 
this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms 
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of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provi-
sion, the reference shall be considered to be made to a 
section or other provision of title 38, United States Code. 
TITLE 
I—POST-9/11 
EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE PRO-
GRAM 
SEC. 101. CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN TIME SPENT RE-
CEIVING MEDICAL CARE FROM SECRETARY 
OF DEFENSE AS ACTIVE DUTY FOR PUR-
POSES OF ELIGIBILITY FOR POST-9/11 EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3301(1)(B) is amended 
by inserting ‘‘12301(h),’’ after ‘‘12301(g),’’. 
(b) RETROACTIVE APPLICATION.—The amendment 
made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to service 
in the Armed Forces occurring on or after September 11, 
2001. 
(c) APPLICATION WITH RESPECT TO USE OF ENTI-
TLEMENT.—An individual who is entitled to educational 
assistance by reason of the amendment made by sub-
section (a) may use such entitlement to pursue a course 
of education beginning on or after August 1, 2018. 
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SEC. 102. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER POST-9/11 
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AWARDED 
THE PURPLE HEART. 
(a) ELIGIBILITY.—Section 3311(b) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(10) An individual who is awarded the Purple 
Heart for service in the Armed Forces occurring on 
or after September 11, 2001, and continues to serve 
on active duty in the Armed Forces or is discharged 
or released from active duty as described in sub-
section (c).’’. 
(b) AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE.—Section 3313(c)(1) is 
amended by striking ‘‘or (9)’’ and inserting ‘‘(9), or (10)’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on August 1, 2018. 
SEC. 103. INCLUSION OF FRY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS 
AND PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS IN YELLOW 
RIBBON 
G.I. 
EDUCATION 
ENHANCEMENT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3317(a) is amended, in 
the second sentence, by striking ‘‘paragraphs (1) and (2)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (1), (2), (9), and (10)’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2018. 
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SEC. 104. INCLUSION OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY 
IN YELLOW RIBBON G.I. EDUCATION EN-
HANCEMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3317(a) is amended, in 
the first sentence, by striking ‘‘section 3313(c)(1)(A)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (c)(1)(A) or (e)(2)(A) of section 
3313 of this title’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2022. 
SEC. 105. CONSOLIDATION OF CERTAIN ELIGIBILITY TIERS 
UNDER POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) ENTITLEMENT.—Section 3311(b), as amended by 
section 102, is further amended— 
(1) in paragraph (6)(A), by striking ‘‘12 
months’’ and inserting ‘‘6 months’’; 
(2) by striking paragraph (7); and 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (8), (9), and 
(10) as paragraphs (7), (8), and (9), respectively. 
(b) AMOUNT OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.—Sec-
tion 3313(c) is amended by striking paragraph (7). 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 33 is fur-
ther amended as follows: 
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(1) In section 3311(f), by striking ‘‘paragraph 
(9)’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘paragraph 
(8)’’. 
(2) In section 3313, as amended by section 
102— 
(A) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ‘‘(9), 
or (10)’’ and inserting ‘‘(8), or (9)’’; 
(B) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘para-
graphs (2) through (7)’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (2) through (6)’’; 
(C) in subsection (e)(2)(C)— 
(i) 
by 
striking 
‘‘paragraphs 
(3) 
through (8)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs 
(3) through (7)’’; and 
(ii) 
by 
striking 
‘‘paragraphs 
(2) 
through (7)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs 
(2) through (6)’’; 
(D) in subsection (f)(2)(A)(ii), by striking 
‘‘paragraphs (2) through (7)’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraphs (2) through (6)’’; 
(E) in subsection (g)(3)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A)(iv)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘paragraphs (3) 
through (8)’’ and inserting ‘‘para-
graphs (3) through (7)’’; and 
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(II) by striking ‘‘paragraphs (2) 
through (7)’’ and inserting ‘‘para-
graphs (2) through (6)’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (B)(iii)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘paragraphs (3) 
through (8)’’ and inserting ‘‘para-
graphs (3) through (7)’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘paragraphs (2) 
through (7)’’ and inserting ‘‘para-
graphs (2) through (6)’’; 
(iii) in subparagraph (C)(ii)— 
(I) in subclause (I), by striking 
‘‘(9)’’ and inserting ‘‘(8)’’; and 
(II) in subclause (II)— 
(aa) by striking ‘‘paragraphs 
(3) through (8)’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraphs (3) through (7)’’; 
and 
(bb) by striking ‘‘paragraphs 
(2) through (7)’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraphs (2) through (6)’’; 
and 
(iv) in subparagraph (D)(ii)— 
(I) in subclause (I), by striking 
‘‘(9)’’ and inserting ‘‘(8)’’; and 
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(II) in subclause (II)— 
(aa) by striking ‘‘paragraphs 
(3) through (8)’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraphs (3) through (7)’’; 
and 
(bb) by striking ‘‘paragraphs 
(2) through (7)’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraphs (2) through (6)’’; 
and 
(F) in subsection (h), by striking ‘‘para-
graphs (2) through (7)’’ and inserting ‘‘para-
graphs (2) through (6)’’; 
(3) In section 3316— 
(A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘para-
graphs (2) through (7)’’ and inserting ‘‘para-
graphs (2) through (6)’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ‘‘para-
graphs (2) through (7)’’ and inserting ‘‘para-
graphs (2) through (6)’’. 
(4) In section 3317(a), in the second sentence, 
as amended by section 103, by striking ‘‘paragraphs 
(1), (2), (9), and (10)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs 
(1), (2), (8), and (9)’’. 
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(5) In section 3321(b)(4), as amended by sec-
tion 112, by striking ‘‘section 3311(b)(9)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘section 3311(b)(8)’’. 
(6) In section 3322— 
(A) 
in 
subsection 
(e), 
by 
striking 
‘‘3311(b)(9)’’ and inserting ‘‘3311(b)(8)’’; 
(B) 
in 
subsection 
(f), 
by 
striking 
‘‘3311(b)(9)’’ and inserting ‘‘3311(b)(8)’’; and 
(C) in subsection (h)(2), by striking 
‘‘3311(b)(9)’’ and inserting ‘‘3311(b)(8)’’. 
(7) In section 3679(c)(2)(B), by striking 
‘‘3311(b)(9)’’ and inserting ‘‘3311(b)(8)’’. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on August 1, 2020. 
SEC. 106. ELIGIBILITY FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF RE-
SERVE COMPONENTS OF ARMED FORCES 
WHO LOST ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE UNDER RESERVE EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) ELECTION.—Section 16167 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBILITY FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE.—A member who loses eligibility for benefits 
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under this chapter pursuant to subsection (b) shall be al-
lowed to elect (in such form and manner as the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs may prescribe) to have such service 
previously credited toward this chapter credited towards 
establishing eligibility for educational assistance under 
chapter 33 of title 38, notwithstanding the provisions of 
section 16163(e) of this title or section 3322(h)(1) of title 
38.’’. 
(b) QUALIFICATION OF SERVICE.—Section 3301(1) 
of title 38, United States Code, shall be construed to in-
clude, in the case of a member of a reserve component 
of the Armed Forces who, before November 25, 2015, es-
tablished eligibility for educational assistance under chap-
ter 1607 of title 10, United States Code, pursuant to sec-
tion 16163(a)(1) of such title, but lost eligibility for such 
educational assistance pursuant to section 16167(b) of 
such title, service on active duty (as defined in section 101 
of such title) that satisfies the requirements of section 
16163(a)(1) of such title. 
(c) ENTITLEMENT.—Section 3311(b)(6) of title 38, 
United States Code, shall be construed to include an indi-
vidual who, before November 25, 2015, established eligi-
bility for educational assistance under chapter 1607 of 
title 10, United States Code, pursuant to section 16163(b) 
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of such title, but lost such eligibility pursuant to section 
16167(b) of such title. 
(d) DURATION.—Notwithstanding section 3312 of 
title 38, United States Code, an individual who establishes 
eligibility for educational assistance under chapter 33 of 
such title by crediting towards such chapter service pre-
viously credited towards chapter 1607 of title 10, United 
States Code, is only entitled to a number of months of 
educational assistance under section 3313 of title 38, 
United States Code, equal to the number of months of 
entitlement remaining under chapter 1607 of title 10, 
United States Code, at the time of conversion to chapter 
33 of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 107. CALCULATION OF MONTHLY HOUSING STIPEND 
UNDER POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAM BASED ON LOCATION OF CAMPUS 
WHERE CLASSES ARE ATTENDED. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3313(c)(1)(B)(i)(I) is 
amended by striking ‘‘the institution of higher learning at 
which the individual is enrolled’’ and inserting ‘‘the cam-
pus of the institution of higher learning where the indi-
vidual physically participates in a majority of classes’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall apply with respect to initial enrollment 
in a program of education on or after August 1, 2018. 
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SEC. 108. CHARGE TO ENTITLEMENT FOR CERTAIN LICEN-
SURE AND CERTIFICATION TESTS AND NA-
TIONAL TESTS UNDER DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION TESTS.—Sub-
section (c) of section 3315 is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘shall be determined at the rate 
of one month (rounded to the nearest whole month)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘shall be pro-rated based on the actual 
amount of the fee charged for the test relative to the 
rate for 1 month’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘for each amount paid that 
equals’’ and inserting ‘‘payable’’. 
(b) NATIONAL TESTS.—Section 3315A is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) A national test that evaluates prior learn-
ing and knowledge and provides an opportunity for 
course credit at an institution of higher learning as 
so described.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘shall be determined at the 
rate of one month (rounded to the nearest 
whole month)’’ and inserting ‘‘shall be pro- 
rated based on the actual amount of the fee 
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charged for the test relative to the rate for 1 
month’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘for each amount paid that 
equals’’ and inserting ‘‘payable’’. 
(c) TESTS INCLUDED.—Section 3452(b) is amended 
in the last sentence— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and national tests providing’’ 
and inserting ‘‘, national tests providing’’; and 
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the 
following: ‘‘, and national tests that evaluate prior 
learning and knowledge and provides an opportunity 
for course credit at an institution of higher learn-
ing’’. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this Act shall apply to a test taken on or after August 
1, 2018. 
SEC. 
109. 
RESTORATION 
OF 
ENTITLEMENT 
TO 
EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER RELIEF 
FOR VETERANS AFFECTED BY SCHOOL CLO-
SURE OR DISAPPROVAL. 
(a) SCHOOL CLOSURE OR DISAPPROVAL.— 
(1) RESTORATION OF ENTITLEMENT.—Chapter 
36 is amended by adding at the end the following 
new section: 
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‘‘§ 3699. Effects of closure or disapproval of edu-
cational institution 
‘‘(a) CLOSURE OR DISAPPROVAL.—Any payment of 
educational assistance described in subsection (b) shall 
not— 
‘‘(1) be charged against any entitlement to edu-
cational assistance of the individual concerned; or 
‘‘(2) be counted against the aggregate period 
for which section 3695 of this title limits the receipt 
of educational assistance by such individual. 
‘‘(b) EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE DESCRIBED.—Sub-
ject to subsection (c), the payment of educational assist-
ance described in this paragraph is the payment of such 
assistance to an individual for pursuit of a course or pro-
gram of education at an educational institution under 
chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 
or 1607 of title 10, if the Secretary determines that the 
individual— 
‘‘(1) was unable to complete such course or pro-
gram as a result of— 
‘‘(A) the closure of the educational institu-
tion; or 
‘‘(B) the disapproval of the course or a 
course that is a necessary part of that program 
under this chapter by reason of— 
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‘‘(i) a provision of law enacted after 
the date on which the individual enrolls at 
such institution affecting the approval or 
disapproval of courses under this chapter; 
or 
‘‘(ii) after the date on which the indi-
vidual enrolls at such institution, the Sec-
retary prescribing or modifying regulations 
or policies of the Department affecting 
such approval or disapproval; and 
‘‘(2) did not receive credit or lost training time, 
toward completion of the program of education being 
so pursued. 
‘‘(c) PERIOD NOT CHARGED.—The period for which, 
by reason of this subsection, educational assistance is not 
charged against entitlement or counted toward the appli-
cable aggregate period under section 3695 of this title 
shall not exceed the aggregate of— 
‘‘(1) the portion of the period of enrollment in 
the course from which the individual did not receive 
credit or with respect to which the individual lost 
training time, as determined under subsection 
(b)(2); and 
‘‘(2) the period by which a monthly stipend is 
extended under section 3680(a)(2)(B) of this title. 
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‘‘(d) 
CONTINUING
PURSUIT
OF
DISAPPROVED 
COURSES.—(1) The Secretary may treat a course of edu-
cation that is disapproved under this chapter as being ap-
proved under this chapter with respect to an individual 
described in paragraph (2) if the Secretary determines, 
on a case-by-case basis, that— 
‘‘(A) such disapproval is the result of an action 
described in clause (i) or (ii) of subsection (b)(1)(B); 
and 
‘‘(B) continuing pursuing such course is in the 
best interest of the individual. 
‘‘(2) An individual described in this paragraph is an 
individual who is pursuing a course of education at an 
educational institution under chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 
of this title, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, as of 
the date on which the course is disapproved under this 
chapter. 
‘‘(e) NOTICE OF CLOSURES.—Not later than 5 busi-
ness days after the date on which the Secretary receives 
notice that an educational institution will close or is 
closed, the Secretary shall provide to each individual who 
is enrolled in a course or program or education at such 
educational institution using entitlement to educational 
assistance under chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, 
or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, notice of— 
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(E) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph (2): 
‘‘(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary 
may, pursuant to such regulations as the Secretary shall 
prescribe, continue to pay allowances to eligible veterans 
and eligible persons enrolled in courses set forth in para-
graph (1)(A)— 
‘‘(A) during periods when educational institu-
tions are temporarily closed under an established 
policy based on an Executive order of the President 
or due to an emergency situation, except that the 
total number of weeks for which allowances may 
continue to be so payable in any 12-month period 
may not exceed 4 weeks; or 
‘‘(B) solely for the purpose of awarding a 
monthly housing stipend described in section 3313 
of this title, during periods following a permanent 
closure of an educational institution, or following the 
disapproval of a course of study described in section 
3699(b)(1)(B) of this title, except that payment of 
such a stipend may only be continued until the ear-
lier of— 
‘‘(i) the date of the end of the term, quar-
ter, or semester during which the closure or dis-
approval occurred; and 
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‘‘(ii) the date that is 120 days after the 
date of the closure or disapproval.’’. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Paragraph 
(1)(C)(ii) of such subsection, as redesignated, is 
amended by striking ‘‘described in subclause (A) of 
this clause’’ and inserting ‘‘described in clause (i)’’. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.— 
(1) SCHOOL CLOSURE OR DISAPPROVAL.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made 
by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date 
that is 90 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, and shall apply with respect to 
courses and programs of education discontinued 
as described in section 3699 of title 38, United 
States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), 
after January 1, 2015. 
(B) SPECIAL APPLICATION.—With respect 
to courses and programs of education discon-
tinued as described in section 3699 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a)(1), during the period beginning January 1, 
2015, and ending on the date of the enactment 
of this Act, an individual who does not transfer 
credits from such program of education shall be 
deemed to be an individual who did not receive 
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such credits, as described in subsection (b)(2) 
of such section, except that the period for which 
the individual’s entitlement is not charged shall 
be the entire period of the individual’s enroll-
ment in the program of education. In carrying 
out this paragraph, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Education, shall establish procedures to deter-
mine whether the individual transferred credits 
to a comparable course or program of edu-
cation. 
(2) MONTHLY HOUSING STIPEND.—The amend-
ments made by subsection (b) shall take effect on 
August 1, 2018, and shall apply with respect to 
courses and programs of education discontinued as 
described in section 3699 of title 38, United States 
Code, as added by such subsection, on or after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 110. ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZED TRANSFER OF UNUSED 
POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE BENE-
FITS TO DEPENDENTS UPON DEATH OF 
ORIGINALLY DESIGNATED DEPENDENT. 
(a) TRANSFER UPON DEATH OF DEPENDENT.—Sec-
tion 3319 is amended— 
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(1) in subsection (f)(1), by inserting after ‘‘sec-
tion 3321’’ the following: ‘‘, and except as provided 
in subsection (k) or (l),’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(k) ADDITIONAL TRANSFER UPON DEATH OF DE-
PENDENT.—In the case of a dependent to whom entitle-
ment to educational assistance is transferred under this 
section who dies before using all of such entitlement, the 
individual who transferred the entitlement to the depend-
ent may transfer any remaining entitlement to a different 
eligible dependent, notwithstanding whether the individual 
is serving as a member of the Armed Forces when such 
transfer is executed. 
‘‘(l) TRANSFER BY DEPENDENT.—In the case of an 
individual who transfers entitlement to educational assist-
ance under this section who dies before the dependent to 
whom entitlement to educational assistance is so trans-
ferred has used all of such entitlement, such dependent 
may transfer such entitlement to another eligible depend-
ent in accordance with the provisions of this section.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATES.— 
(1) 
ELIGIBLE
DEATHS.—The 
amendments 
made by this section shall apply with respect to 
deaths occurring on or after August 1, 2009. 
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(2) USE OF ENTITLEMENT.—A dependent to 
whom entitlement to educational assistance is trans-
ferred under subsection (k) or (l) of section 3319 of 
title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a), may use such entitlement to pursue a course of 
education beginning on or after August 1, 2018. 
SEC. 111. EDITH NOURSE ROGERS STEM SCHOLARSHIP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 33 is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3320. Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the limitation under 
subsection (f), the Secretary shall provide additional bene-
fits to eligible individuals selected by the Secretary under 
this section. Such benefits shall be known as the ‘Edith 
Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship’. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—For purposes of this section, an 
eligible individual is an individual— 
‘‘(1) who is or was entitled to educational as-
sistance under section 3311 of this title; 
‘‘(2) who has used all of the educational assist-
ance to which the individual is entitled under this 
chapter or will, based on the individual’s rate of 
usage, use all of such assistance within 180 days of 
applying for benefits under this section; 
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‘‘(3) who applies for assistance under this sec-
tion; and 
‘‘(4) who— 
‘‘(A) is an individual who— 
‘‘(i) is enrolled in a program of edu-
cation leading to a post-secondary degree 
that, in accordance with the guidelines of 
the applicable regional or national accred-
iting agency, requires more than the stand-
ard 128 semester (or 192 quarter) credit 
hours for completion in a standard, under-
graduate college degree in— 
‘‘(I) 
biological 
or 
biomedical 
science; 
‘‘(II) physical science; 
‘‘(III) science technologies or 
technicians; 
‘‘(IV) computer and information 
science and support services; 
‘‘(V) mathematics or statistics; 
‘‘(VI) engineering; 
‘‘(VII) engineering technologies 
or an engineering-related field; 
‘‘(VIII) a health profession or re-
lated program; 
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‘‘(IX) a medical residency pro-
gram; 
‘‘(X) an agriculture science pro-
gram or a natural resources science 
program; or 
‘‘(XI) other subjects and fields 
identified by the Secretary as meeting 
national needs; 
‘‘(ii) has completed at least 60 stand-
ard semester (or 90 quarter) credit hours 
in a field referred to in clause (i); or 
‘‘(B) is an individual who has earned a 
post-secondary degree in a field referred to in 
subparagraph (A)(i) and is enrolled in a pro-
gram of education leading to a teaching certifi-
cation. 
‘‘(c) PRIORITY.—In selecting eligible individuals to 
receive additional benefits under this section, the Sec-
retary shall give priority to the following individuals: 
‘‘(1) Individuals who require the most credit 
hours described in subsection (b)(4). 
‘‘(2) Individuals who are entitled to educational 
assistance under this chapter by reason of para-
graph (1), (2), (8), or (9) of section 3311(b) of this 
title. 
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‘‘(d) AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE.—(1) The Secretary 
shall pay to each eligible individual who receives additional 
benefits under this section the monthly amount payable 
under section 3313 of this title for not more than 9 
months of the program of education in which the indi-
vidual is enrolled (adjusted with respect to the individual 
pursuant to section 3313(c), as appropriate), except that 
the aggregate amount paid to an individual under this sec-
tion may not exceed $30,000. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary may not pay to such an individual 
an amount in addition to the amount payable under para-
graph (1) by reason of section 3317 of this title. 
‘‘(3) An individual who receives additional benefits 
under this section may also receive amounts payable by 
a college or university pursuant to section 3317 of this 
title. 
‘‘(e) PROHIBITION
ON TRANSFER.—An individual 
who receives additional benefits under this section may not 
transfer any amount of such additional benefits under sec-
tion 3319 of this title. 
‘‘(f) MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF TOTAL ASSISTANCE.— 
The total amount of benefits paid to all eligible individuals 
under this section may not exceed— 
‘‘(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
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‘‘(2) $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 
through 2022; and 
‘‘(3) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and 
each subsequent fiscal year. 
‘‘(g) CONGRESSIONAL NOTICE.—If the Secretary 
identifies a new subject or field pursuant to subsection 
(b)(4)(A)(i)(XI) as meeting a national need, the Secretary 
shall submit to Congress notice of such identification at 
least 90 days before conferring eligibility on any individual 
for purposes of this section on the basis of such identifica-
tion, including any analysis of labor market supply and 
demand used in identifying the new subject or field, as 
applicable.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 3319 the following new 
item: 
‘‘3320. Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 3320 of title 38, 
United States Code, shall take effect on August 1, 2019. 
(d) COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT.— 
(1) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than August 
1, 2022, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to Congress a report containing 
the results of an interim assessment of the Comp-
troller General of the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM 
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Scholarship program under section 3320 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a). 
Such report shall include the recommendations of 
the Comptroller General for improving the scholar-
ship program and an assessment of each of the fol-
lowing, using rigorous, systematic, and objective 
methodology, and including comparisons to eligible 
veterans who did not participate in the program: 
(A) An explanation of the identification of 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of subjects 
and fields meeting national needs under sub-
section (b)(4)(A)(i)(XI) of such section, includ-
ing any analysis of labor market supply and de-
mand, as applicable. 
(B) An evaluation of the types of edu-
cational institutions and programs where bene-
ficiaries use the educational assistance provided 
under the scholarship program. 
(C) The completion rate of students par-
ticipating in the program. 
(D) The job placement rate for individuals 
who completed a program of education using 
educational assistance provided under the schol-
arship program in the field of study of the pro-
gram of education. 
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(E) The median annual earnings of indi-
viduals who completed a program of education 
using educational assistance provided under the 
scholarship program. 
(F) The average age of the individuals who 
received educational assistance under the schol-
arship program. 
(G) An assessment of the extent to which 
any educational institutions made changes to 
degrees or programs of education offered by the 
institution for which the scholarship program 
may be used after the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than August 1, 
2024, the Comptroller General shall submit to Con-
gress an assessment of such scholarship program 
that includes each of the following: 
(A) Each item described in subparagraph 
(A) through (G) of paragraph (1). 
(B) The percentage of individuals who 
completed a program of education using edu-
cational assistance provided under the scholar-
ship program who were subsequently employed 
for a period of 6 months or longer in the field 
of study of the program of education. 
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(C) The percentage of individuals who 
completed a program of education using edu-
cational assistance provided under the scholar-
ship program who were subsequently employed 
for a period of less than 6 months in the field 
of study of the program of education. 
SEC. 112. HONORING THE NATIONAL SERVICE OF MEM-
BERS OF THE ARMED FORCES BY ELIMI-
NATION OF TIME LIMITATION FOR USE OF 
ENTITLEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) of section 3321 is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘individual’s entitlement’’ and 
all that follows through the period and inserting ‘‘in-
dividual’s entitlement—’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(1) in the case of an individual whose last dis-
charge or release from active duty is before January, 
1, 2013, expires at the end of the 15-year period be-
ginning on the date of such discharge or release; or 
‘‘(2) in the case of an individual whose last dis-
charge or release from active duty is on or after 
January 1, 2013, shall not expire.’’. 
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(b) CHILDREN
OF
DECEASED
MEMBERS.—Sub-
section (b)(4) of such section is amended— 
(1) 
by 
inserting 
‘‘of 
this 
title’’ 
after 
‘‘3311(b)(9)’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘child’s entitlement’’ and all 
that follows through the period and inserting 
‘‘child’s entitlement—’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraphs: 
‘‘(A) in the case of a child who first be-
comes entitled to such entitlement before Janu-
ary 1, 2013, expires at the end of the 15-year 
period beginning on the date of such child’s 
eighteenth birthday; or 
‘‘(B) in the case of a child who first be-
comes entitled to such entitlement on or after 
January 1, 2013, shall not expire.’’. 
(c) SPOUSES OF DECEASED MEMBERS.—Subsection 
(b) of such section is further amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(5) APPLICABILITY TO SPOUSES OF DECEASED 
MEMBERS.—The period during which a spouse enti-
tled to educational assistance by reason of section 
3311(b)(9) may use such spouse’s entitlement— 
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‘‘(A) in the case of a spouse who first be-
comes entitled to such entitlement before Janu-
ary 1, 2013, expires at the end of the 15-year 
period beginning on the date on which the 
spouse first becomes entitled to such entitle-
ment; or 
‘‘(B) in the case of a spouse who first be-
comes entitled to such entitlement on or after 
January 1, 2013, shall not expire.’’. 
SEC. 113. MONTHLY STIPEND FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF 
THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES RECEIVING POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3313 is further amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(j) DETERMINATION OF MONTHLY STIPENDS DUR-
ING CERTAIN ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE.— 
‘‘(1) PRO RATA BASIS.—In any month in which 
an individual described in paragraph (2) is per-
forming active duty service described in section 
3301(1)(B) of this title, the Secretary shall deter-
mine the amount of monthly stipends payable under 
this section for such month on a pro rata basis for 
the period of such month in which the covered indi-
vidual is not performing such active duty service. 
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‘‘(2) INDIVIDUAL
DESCRIBED.—An individual 
described in this paragraph is an individual who is— 
‘‘(A) a member of the reserve components 
of the Armed Forces; and 
‘‘(B) pursuing a program of education 
using educational assistance under this chap-
ter.’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, 
or term, as applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 
2018. 
SEC. 114. ANNUAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON INFORMA-
TION ON STUDENT PROGRESS SUBMITTED BY 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 
Section 3326 is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘As a condition’’ and inserting 
‘‘(a) SUBMITTAL
OF
INFORMATION
BY
EDU-
CATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.—As a condition’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(b) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Not later than March 
1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report that includes a summary of the information pro-
vided by educational institutions under subsection (a) for 
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the calendar year preceding the year during which such 
report is submitted.’’. 
SEC. 115. IMPROVEMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 
OF THE VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRA-
TION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS. 
(a) PROCESSING OF CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL ASSIST-
ANCE CLAIMS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, 
to the maximum extent possible, make such changes and 
improvements to the information technology system of the 
Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs to ensure that— 
(1) to the maximum extent possible, all original 
and supplemental claims for educational assistance 
under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, 
are adjudicated electronically; and 
(2) rules-based processing is used to make deci-
sions with respect to such claims with little human 
intervention. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a plan 
to implement the changes and improvements described in 
subsection (a). 
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(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the implemen-
tation of the changes and improvements described in sub-
section (a). 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs $30,000,000 to carry out this section during fiscal 
years 2018 and 2019. 
SEC. 116. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HIGH 
TECHNOLOGY PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM.—The Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs shall carry out a pilot program under which the Sec-
retary shall provide eligible veterans with the opportunity 
to enroll in high technology programs of education that 
the Secretary determines provide training or skills sought 
by employers in a relevant field or industry. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY.—For purposes of the pilot program 
under this section, an eligible veteran is a veteran who 
is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 30, 32, 
33, 34, or 35 of title 38, United States Code, or chapter 
1606 or 1607 of title 10, United States Code. 
(c) CONTRACTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of carrying out 
subsection (a), by not later than 180 days after Au-
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gust 1, 2018, the Secretary shall seek to enter into 
contracts with any number of qualified providers of 
high technology programs of education for the provi-
sion of such programs to eligible veterans under the 
pilot program. Each such contract shall provide for 
the conditions under which the Secretary may termi-
nate the contract with the provider and the proce-
dures for providing for the completion of the instruc-
tion of students who were enrolled in a program pro-
vided by such provider in the case of such a termi-
nation. 
(2) PAYMENT OF CONTRACTORS.—A contract 
under this subsection shall provide that the Sec-
retary shall pay to a provider— 
(A) upon the enrollment of an eligible vet-
eran in the program, 25 percent of the cost of 
the tuition and other fees for the program of 
education for the veteran; 
(B) upon the completion of the program by 
the veteran, 25 percent of such cost; and 
(C) upon the employment of the veteran in 
the field of study of the program following com-
pletion of the program, 50 percent of such cost. 
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(3) QUALIFIED PROVIDERS.—For purposes of 
the pilot program, a provider of a high technology 
program of education is qualified if— 
(A) the provider has been operational for 
at least 2 years; 
(B) the provider has successfully provided 
the high technology program for at least 1 year; 
and 
(C) the provider meets the approval cri-
teria developed by the Secretary under para-
graph (4). 
(4) APPROVAL CRITERIA.—The Secretary shall 
develop criteria for approving providers for purposes 
of the pilot program. In developing such criteria, the 
Secretary may consult with State approving agen-
cies. Such criteria is not required to meet the re-
quirements of section 3672 of title 38, United States 
Code. 
(5) TUITION
REIMBURSEMENT.—In entering 
into contracts to carry out the pilot program, the 
Secretary shall give preference to a qualified pro-
vider that offers tuition reimbursement for any stu-
dent who— 
(A) completes a program of education of-
fered by the provider; and 
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(B) does not find full-time meaningful em-
ployment in the field of study of the program 
within the 180-day period beginning on the date 
the student completes the program. 
(d) HOUSING STIPEND.—The Secretary shall pay to 
each eligible veteran who is enrolled in a high technology 
program of education under the pilot program on a full- 
time basis a monthly housing stipend equal to the prod-
uct— 
(1) of— 
(A) in the case of a veteran pursuing resi-
dent training, the monthly amount of the basic 
allowance for housing payable under section 
403 of title 37, United States Code, for a mem-
ber with dependents in pay grade E–5 residing 
in the military housing area that encompasses 
all or the majority portion of the ZIP code area 
in which is located the institution at which the 
individual is enrolled; or 
(B) in the case of a veteran pursuing a 
program of education through distance learn-
ing, a monthly amount equal to 50 percent of 
the amount payable under subparagraph (A), 
multiplied by 
(2) the lesser of— 
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(A) 1.0; or 
(B) the number of course hours borne by 
the individual in pursuit of the program of edu-
cation involved, divided by the minimum num-
ber of course hours required for full-time pur-
suit of such program of education, rounded to 
the nearest multiple of 10. 
(e) HIGH TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM OF EDUCATION 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘high technology 
program of education’’ means a program of education 
that— 
(1) is offered by an entity other than an institu-
tion of higher learning; 
(2) does not lead to a degree; and 
(3) provides instruction in computer program-
ming, computer software, media application, data 
processing, or information sciences. 
(f) REPORTS.— 
(1) SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.—Not 
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress a report on the pilot program 
under this section. 
(2) COMPTROLLER GENERAL.— 
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(A) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than 3 
years after the date on which the Secretary first 
enters into a contract under this section, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall 
submit to Congress a report containing the re-
sults of the interim assessment of the Comp-
troller General. Such report shall include the 
recommendations of the Comptroller General 
for improving the pilot program and an assess-
ment of each of the following: 
(i) The technology experience of the 
directors and instructors of the providers 
of high technology programs of education 
under the pilot program. 
(ii) Whether the providers cooperated 
with the technology industry to create the 
curriculum for the program of education. 
(iii) Whether the providers use an 
open source curriculum for the program of 
education. 
(iv) The admittance rate into the pilot 
program. 
(v) The job placement and retention 
rate for veterans who completed a program 
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of education under the pilot program in 
the field of study of the program. 
(vi) The percentage of veterans who 
completed a program of education under 
the pilot program who were subsequently 
employed for a period of 6 months or 
longer in a field of study of the program. 
(vii) The percentage of veterans who 
completed a program of education under 
the pilot program who were subsequently 
employed for a period of less than 6 
months in a field of study of the program. 
(viii) The median annual salary of 
veterans who completed a program of edu-
cation under the pilot program and were 
subsequently employed. 
(ix) As applicable, the transfer rates 
to other academic or vocational programs 
and certifications and licensure exam pas-
sage rates. 
(x) The average age of veterans who 
participated in the pilot program. 
(B) FINAL
REPORT.—Not later than 5 
years after the date on which the Secretary first 
enters into a contract under this section, the 
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Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a 
final report on the pilot program. Such report 
shall include the recommendation of the Comp-
troller General with respect to whether the pro-
gram should be extended and an assessment of 
each item described in clauses (i) through (x) of 
subparagraph (A). 
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For each 
fiscal year during which the Secretary carries out a pilot 
program under this section, $15,000,000 shall be made 
available for such purpose from funds appropriated to, or 
otherwise made available to, the Department for the pay-
ment of readjustment benefits. 
(h) TERMINATION.—The authority to carry out a 
pilot program under this section shall terminate on the 
date that is 5 years after the date on which the Secretary 
first enters into a contract under this section. 
TITLE II—OTHER EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 
SEC. 201. WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE. 
Section 3485(a)(4) is amended by striking ‘‘the pe-
riod beginning on June 30, 2017, and ending on June 30, 
2022,’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘any time on 
or after June 30, 2017,’’. 
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SEC. 202. DURATION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER 
SURVIVORS’ 
AND 
DEPENDENTS’ 
EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 3511(a)(1) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘chapter for’’ and all that fol-
lows through the period and inserting ‘‘chapter—’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraphs: 
‘‘(A) in the case of a person who first enrolls 
in a program of education using such entitlement be-
fore August 1, 2018, for an aggregate period not in 
excess of 45 months (or to the equivalent thereof in 
part-time training); or 
‘‘(B) in the case of a person who first enrolls 
in a program of education using such entitlement on 
or after August 1, 2018, for an aggregate period not 
in excess of 36 months (or to the equivalent thereof 
in part-time training).’’. 
SEC. 203. OLIN E. TEAGUE INCREASE IN AMOUNTS OF EDU-
CATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE 
PAYABLE 
UNDER 
SURVIVORS’ 
AND 
DEPENDENTS’ 
EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) INCREASE.—Section 3532 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
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(2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para-
graph (5); 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol-
lowing new paragraph (4): 
‘‘(4) In addition to amounts made available under 
paragraph (5), there is authorized to be appropriated to 
carry out this section $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and 
each subsequent fiscal year.’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The total’’ and inserting 
‘‘(A) The total’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘for any fiscal year shall 
be $19,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘for fiscal year 
2018 shall be $21,000,000 and for fiscal year 
2019 and thereafter shall be $23,000,000’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) Beginning in fiscal year 2019, whenever there 
is an increase in benefit amounts payable under title II 
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) as a 
result of a determination made under section 215(i) of 
such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)), the Secretary shall, effective 
on the date of such increase in benefit amounts, increase 
the amount in effect under subparagraph (A), as in effect 
immediately prior to the date of such increase in benefit 
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amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act, 
by the same percentage as the percentage by which such 
benefit amounts are increased.’’. 
SEC. 302. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF POST-9/11 EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO PURSUE INDE-
PENDENT STUDY PROGRAMS AT CERTAIN 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE NOT 
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING. 
Section 3680A is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘in—’’ and inserting ‘‘in any of the 
following:’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘any’’ and inserting 
‘‘Any’’; and 
(ii) by striking the semicolon at the 
end and inserting a period; 
(C) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘any’’ and inserting 
‘‘Any’’; and 
(ii) by striking the semicolon at the 
end and inserting a period; 
(D) in paragraph (3)— 
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(i) by striking ‘‘any’’ and inserting 
‘‘Any’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘; or’’ and inserting a 
period; and 
(E) by striking paragraph (4) and insert-
ing the following new paragraph (4): 
‘‘(4) Any independent study program except an 
independent study program (including such a pro-
gram taken over open circuit television) that— 
‘‘(A) is accredited by an accrediting agency 
or association recognized by the Secretary of 
Education under subpart 2 of part H of title IV 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1099b); 
‘‘(B) leads to— 
‘‘(i) a standard college degree; 
‘‘(ii) a certificate that reflects edu-
cational attainment offered by an institu-
tion of higher learning; or 
‘‘(iii) a certificate that reflects comple-
tion of a course of study offered by— 
‘‘(I) an area career and technical 
education school (as defined in sub-
paragraphs (C) and (D) of section 
3(3) of the Carl D. Perkins Career 
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and Technical Education Act of 2006 
(20 U.S.C. 2302(3))) that provides 
education at the postsecondary level; 
or 
‘‘(II) a postsecondary vocational 
institution (as defined in section 
102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c))) that pro-
vides education at the postsecondary 
level; and 
‘‘(C) in the case of a program described in 
subparagraph (B)(iii)— 
‘‘(i) provides training aligned with the 
requirements of employers in the State or 
local area where the program is located, 
which may include in-demand industry sec-
tors or occupations; and 
‘‘(ii) provides a student, upon comple-
tion of the program, with a recognized 
postsecondary credential that is recognized 
by employers in the relevant industry, 
which may include a credential recognized 
by industry or sector partnerships in the 
State or local area where the industry is 
located; and 
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‘‘(iii) meets such content and instruc-
tional standards as may be required to 
comply with the criteria under section 
3676(c)(14) and(15) of this title.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(h) In this section, the terms ‘State or local area’, 
‘recognized postsecondary credential’, ‘industry or sector 
partnership’, and ‘in-demand industry sector or occupa-
tion’ have the meaning given such terms in section 3 of 
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
3102).’’. 
SEC. 303. PROVISION OF INFORMATION ON PRIORITY EN-
ROLLMENT 
FOR 
VETERANS 
IN 
CERTAIN 
COURSES OF EDUCATION. 
Section 3698(c)(1)(C) is amended— 
(1) in clause (ix), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in clause (x), by striking the period and in-
serting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new 
clause: 
‘‘(xi) information on whether the institu-
tion administers a priority enrollment system 
that allows certain student veterans to enroll in 
courses earlier than other students.’’. 
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SEC. 304. LIMITATION ON USE OF REPORTING FEES PAY-
ABLE TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND 
SPONSORS OF PROGRAMS OF APPRENTICE-
SHIP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (c) of section 3684 is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c)(1) The Secretary may pay to any educational in-
stitution, 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 institu-
tion or sponsor of a program of apprenticeship is required 
to submit to the Secretary by law or regulation. 
‘‘(2) Such reporting fee shall be computed for each 
calendar year by multiplying $16 by the number of eligible 
veterans or eligible persons enrolled under this chapter or 
chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title. The reporting fee shall 
be paid to such educational institution or sponsor of a pro-
gram of apprenticeship as soon as feasible after the end 
of the calendar year for which it is applicable. 
‘‘(3) No reporting fee payable to an educational insti-
tution 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 admin-
istratively determined to be liable under section 3685 of 
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this title unless such liability is not contested by such in-
stitution or has been upheld by a final decree of a court 
of appropriate jurisdiction. 
‘‘(4) Any reporting fee paid to an educational institu-
tion or sponsor of a program of apprenticeship after the 
date of the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Edu-
cational Assistance Improvements Act of 2011 (Public 
Law 111–377)— 
‘‘(A) shall be utilized by such institution or 
sponsor solely for the making of certifications re-
quired 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 100 
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 
sponsor of a program of apprenticeship. 
‘‘(5) The reporting fee payable under this subsection 
shall be paid from amounts appropriated for readjustment 
benefits.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2018. 
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SEC. 305. TRAINING FOR SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIALS. 
(a) TRAINING REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall, in consultation with the State ap-
proving agencies, set forth requirements relating to train-
ing for school certifying officials employed by covered edu-
cational institutions offering courses of education ap-
proved under chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code. 
If a covered educational institution does not ensure that 
a school certifying official employed by the educational in-
stitution meets such requirements, the Secretary may dis-
approve any course of education offered by such edu-
cational institution. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered educational institution’’ 
means an educational institution that has enrolled 
20 or more individuals using educational assistance 
under title 38, United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘school certifying official’’ means 
an employee of an educational institution with pri-
mary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment 
at the educational institution. 
(3) The term ‘‘State approving agency’’ means 
a department or agency of a State designated under 
section 3671 of title 38, United States Code. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect 
on August 1, 2018. 
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SEC. 306. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE ON EDUCATION. 
Section 3692 is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 
2017’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2022’’. 
SEC. 307. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVISION 
OF ON-CAMPUS EDUCATIONAL AND VOCA-
TIONAL COUNSELING FOR VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 36 is amended by insert-
ing after section 3697A the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3697B. On-campus educational and vocational 
counseling 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide edu-
cational and vocational counseling services for individuals 
described in section 3697A(b) of this title 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 high-
er learning shall provide an appropriate space on the cam-
pus of the institution where counseling services can be pro-
vided under this section. 
‘‘(2) In selecting locations for the provision of coun-
seling services under this section, the Secretary shall seek 
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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 sec-
tion. Such report shall include, for the year covered by 
the report— 
‘‘(1) the average ratio of counselors providing 
such services to individuals who received such serv-
ices at each location where such services were pro-
vided; 
‘‘(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 deter-
mines 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.’’. 
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SEC. 308. PROVISION OF INFORMATION REGARDING VET-
ERAN ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 36 is 
further amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 3699A. Provision of certain information to edu-
cational institutions 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For each veteran or other indi-
vidual pursuing a course of education that has been ap-
proved under this chapter using educational assistance to 
which the veteran or other individual is entitled under 
chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, the Secretary shall 
make available to the educational institution offering the 
course information about the amount of such educational 
assistance to which the veteran or other individual is enti-
tled. Such information shall be provided to such edu-
cational institution through a secure information tech-
nology system accessible by the educational institution and 
shall be regularly updated to reflect any amounts used by 
the veteran or other individual. 
‘‘(b) ELECTION.—A veteran or other individual pur-
suing a course of education described in subsection (a) 
may elect not to provide the information described in such 
subsection to an educational institution in a manner pre-
scribed by the Secretary.’’. 
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(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is further amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 3699 the fol-
lowing new item: 
‘‘3699A. Provision of certain information to educational institutions.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 3699A of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by this section, shall take 
effect on August 1, 2018. 
SEC. 309. TREATMENT, FOR PURPOSES OF EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE ADMINISTERED BY THE SEC-
RETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, OF EDU-
CATIONAL COURSES THAT BEGIN SEVEN OR 
FEWER DAYS AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF AN 
ACADEMIC TERM. 
Section 3684(a) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para-
graph (5); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol-
lowing new paragraph (4): 
‘‘(4) A course offered by an educational institution 
that does not begin on the first day of an academic term, 
but does begin seven or fewer days after such day, shall 
be treated as beginning on such day for purposes of this 
section.’’. 
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SEC. 310. INCLUSION OF RISK-BASED SURVEYS IN STATE 
APPROVING AGENCY OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES. 
Section 3673(d) is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking 
‘‘COMPLIANCE AND’’ ; 
(2) by striking ‘‘such compliance and oversight’’ 
and inserting ‘‘conducting risk-based surveys and 
other such oversight’’; and 
(3) by inserting ‘‘, in consultation with the 
State approving agencies,’’ after ‘‘as the Secretary’’. 
SEC. 311. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY OF STATE AP-
PROVING AGENCY PERFORMANCE. 
(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Comptroller General of 
the United States shall carry out a study on the perform-
ance of State approving agencies. Such study shall include 
each of the following: 
(1) An analysis of the effectiveness of the co-
operation between the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
and State approving agencies regarding the execu-
tion of shared compliance and oversight responsibil-
ities under chapter 36 of title 38, United States 
Code. 
(2) An analysis of the resources necessary for 
State approving agencies to fulfill the responsibilities 
of such agencies under such title, including an anal-
ysis of whether Congress has appropriated sufficient 
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funds for State approving agencies to fulfill such re-
sponsibilities and the historic effect of funding on 
the ability of such agencies to fulfill such respon-
sibilities. 
(3) An evaluation of the use by State approving 
agencies of risk-based methods of review for identi-
fying violations of established standards under such 
chapter. 
(4) An examination of how State approving 
agencies use risk factors, including rapid increases 
in veteran enrollment, increases in the amount of 
benefits per capita, volume of student complaints, 
rates of Federal student loan defaults of veterans, 
veteran completion rates, deficiencies identified by 
accreditors and other State agencies, and defi-
ciencies in Department of Veterans Affairs program 
administration compliance, in their oversight and 
compliance responsibilities and in selecting edu-
cational institutions for review of eligibility. 
(5) Recommendations on how the Secretary and 
State approving agencies can better use data to 
evaluate, approve, or disapprove educational institu-
tions under such chapter. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comp-
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troller General shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate, 
and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives, a report on the study required under sub-
section (a) and the findings and recommendations of the 
Comptroller General with respect to such study. 
TITLE IV—RESERVE 
COMPONENT BENEFITS 
SEC. 401. ELIGIBILITY OF RESERVE COMPONENT MEMBERS 
FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3301(1)(B) is amended 
by striking ‘‘or 12304’’ and inserting ‘‘12304, 12304a, or 
12304b’’. 
(b) RETROACTIVE APPLICATION.—The amendment 
made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to service 
in the Armed Forces occurring on or after the date of the 
enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assist-
ance Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–252). 
(c) APPLICATION WITH RESPECT TO USE OF ENTI-
TLEMENT.—An individual who is entitled to educational 
assistance by reason of the amendment made by sub-
section (a) may use such entitlement to pursue a course 
of education beginning on or after August 1, 2018. 
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SEC. 402. TIME LIMITATION FOR TRAINING AND REHABILI-
TATION FOR VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CON-
NECTED DISABILITIES. 
Section 3103(f) is amended by striking ‘‘or 12304’’ 
and inserting ‘‘12304, 12304a, or 12304b’’. 
TITLE V—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 501. REPEAL INAPPLICABILITY OF MODIFICATION OF 
BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING TO BENE-
FITS UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY SEC-
RETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) REPEAL.—Subsection (b) of section 604 of the 
Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 
113–291; 37 U.S.C. 403 note) is repealed. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall take effect on January 1, 2018, and 
shall apply with respect to individuals who first use their 
entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 33 of 
title 38, United States Code, on or after such date. 
SEC. 502. RECONSIDERATION OF PREVIOUSLY DENIED 
CLAIMS 
FOR 
DISABILITY 
COMPENSATION 
FOR VETERANS WHO ALLEGE FULL-BODY EX-
POSURE TO NITROGEN MUSTARD GAS, SUL-
FUR MUSTARD GAS, OR LEWISITE DURING 
WORLD WAR II. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
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(1) RECONSIDERATION
REQUIRED.—The Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall reconsider all claims 
for compensation described in paragraph (2) and 
make a new determination regarding each such 
claim. 
(2) CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION DESCRIBED.— 
A claim for compensation described in this para-
graph is a claim for compensation under chapter 11 
of title 38, United States Code, that the Secretary 
determines— 
(A) arose from the alleged full-body expo-
sure of a veteran to a covered substance— 
(i) during active military, naval, or air 
service during World War II; and 
(ii) at a site listed in paragraph (3); 
and 
(B) was denied before the date of the en-
actment of this Act. 
(3) SITES.—The sites listed in this paragraph 
are the following: 
(A) Camp Siebert, Alabama. 
(B) Fort McClellan, Alabama. 
(C) Huntsville Arsenal, Alabama. 
(D) Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Colorado. 
(E) Naval Research Laboratory, D.C. 
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(F) Bushnell Field, Florida. 
(G) Great Lakes Naval Training Center, 
Illinois. 
(H) Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland. 
(I) Fort Detrick, Maryland. 
(J) Naval Research Laboratory, Maryland. 
(K) Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, 
Maryland. 
(L) Horn Island Installation, Mississippi. 
(M) Camp Crowder, Missouri. 
(N) Hart’s Island, New York. 
(O) Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 
(P) Charleston, South Carolina. 
(Q) Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. 
(R) Toole Army Depot, Utah. 
(S) Naval Research Laboratory, Virginia. 
(T) U.S.S. Eagle Boat No. 58. 
(U) Ondal, India. 
(V) Fort Clayton, San Jose Island, Pan-
ama. 
(W) Any site the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs determines is appropriate. 
(4) FACTORS OF CONSIDERATION.—In making 
a determination under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:32 Aug 04, 2017
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srobinson on DSKBC5CHB2PROD with BILLS