IB 
Union Calendar No. 179 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3218 
[Report No. 115–247, Part I] 
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. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 13, 2017 
Mr. ROE of Tennessee (for himself, Mr. WALZ, Mr. MCCARTHY, Mr. MESSER, 
Mr. RUTHERFORD, Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana, Mr. BERGMAN, Mr. 
BANKS of Indiana, Mr. MULLIN, Mr. ARRINGTON, Mr. WENSTRUP, Mrs. 
RADEWAGEN, Mr. COOK, Mr. MCKINLEY, Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana, Mr. 
FITZPATRICK, Mr. LABRADOR, Mr. BOST, Miss GONZA´LEZ-COLO´N of 
Puerto Rico, Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania, Mr. DUNN, Mr. SMUCKER, 
Mr. POLIQUIN, Mr. WALBERG, Mr. COFFMAN, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. 
BISHOP of Michigan, Mr. PETERS, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Mr. RUSH, Mr. 
RYAN of Ohio, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. SABLAN, Ms. ESTY of Con-
necticut, Ms. GABBARD, Mr. TAKANO, Mr. THOMPSON of California, Mr. 
PETERSON, Mr. O’ROURKE, Miss RICE of New York, Ms. ROSEN, Mr. 
BROWN of Maryland, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Mr. CARBAJAL, Mr. 
BUTTERFIELD, Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire, Ms. BROWNLEY of Cali-
fornia, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. CORREA, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. PA-
NETTA, Mr. MOULTON, Ms. TITUS, Ms. SINEMA, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, 
Mr. PALAZZO, Mr. RICHMOND, and Mr. COURTNEY) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 
and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee con-
cerned 
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JULY 24, 2017 
Additional sponsors: Mrs. WALORSKI, Mr. YOUNG of Iowa, Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ, 
Mr. WITTMAN, Mr. POLIS, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. O’HALLERAN, 
Mr. VARGAS, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. SHERMAN, Ms. JAYAPAL, Mr. BRADY 
of Pennsylvania, Mrs. BUSTOS, Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. SUOZZI, Ms. TSON-
GAS, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. CICILLINE, Ms. PELOSI, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. 
LOWENTHAL, Mrs. MURPHY of Florida, Mr. KIND, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. 
PERLMUTTER, Mr. ZELDIN, Mr. HECK, Mr. KING of New York, Mr. 
ISSA, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. CUELLAR, Ms. NORTON, Ms. 
BORDALLO, Mr. HIGGINS of New York, Mr. COSTA, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. 
NADLER, Mr. KILMER, Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI, Mr. CASTRO of Texas, 
Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mr. SCHNEIDER, Mr. HURD, Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. 
VEASEY, Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico, Ms. SLAUGH-
TER, Mr. RASKIN, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. GENE GREEN of 
Texas, Mr. POSEY, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mrs. DEMINGS, Mr. BEYER, Mr. 
SCHRADER, Mr. BERA, Mr. YARMUTH, Ms. HANABUSA, Mr. BRENDAN F. 
BOYLE of Pennsylvania, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. CALVERT, Mr. KILDEE, and 
Mr. GOTTHEIMER 
JULY 24, 2017 
Reported from the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs with an amendment 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
JULY 24, 2017 
The Committee on Armed Services discharged; committed to the Committee 
of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on July 13, 2017] 
A BILL 
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. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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. Consolidation of certain eligibility tiers under Post-9/11 Educational 
Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 105. Eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance for certain members of 
reserve components of Armed Forces who lost entitlement to edu-
cational assistance under Reserve Educational Assistance Pro-
gram. 
Sec. 106. Calculation of monthly housing stipend under Post-9/11 Educational 
Assistance Program based on location of campus where classes 
are attended. 
Sec. 107. Charge to entitlement for certain licensure and certification tests and 
national tests under Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 
Educational Assistance Program. 
Sec. 108. Restoration of entitlement to educational assistance and other relief for 
veterans affected by school closure or disapproval. 
Sec. 109. Additional authorized transfer of unused Post-9/11 Educational Assist-
ance benefits to dependents upon death of originally designated 
dependent. 
Sec. 110. Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship. 
Sec. 111. Honoring the national service of members of the Armed Forces by elimi-
nation of time limitation for use of entitlement. 
Sec. 112. Monthly stipend for certain members of the reserve components of the 
Armed Forces receiving Post-9/11 Educational Assistance. 
Sec. 113. Improvement of information technology of the veterans benefits adminis-
tration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 114. Department of Veterans Affairs high technology pilot program. 
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Sec. 115. Annual reports to Congress on information on student progress sub-
mitted by educational institutions. 
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. 
TITLE IV—RESERVE COMPONENT BENEFITS 
Sec. 401. Eligibility of reserve component members for Post-9/11 Educational As-
sistance. 
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 Af-
fairs. 
Sec. 502. Reconsideration of previously denied claims for disability compensation 
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 of 
an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, 
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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 PURPOSES 
OF ELIGIBILITY FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL 
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 ENTITLE-
MENT.—An individual who is entitled to educational assist-
ance by reason of the amendment made by subsection (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 add-
ing 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 subsection 
(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 PRO-
GRAM. 
(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 sub-
section (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2018. 
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SEC. 104. 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.—Section 
3313(c) is amended by striking paragraph (7). 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 33 is fur-
ther amended as follows: 
(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)— 
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(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 
(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)— 
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(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 
(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 
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(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)’’. 
(5) In section 3321(b)(4), as amended by section 
111, by striking ‘‘section 3311(b)(9)’’ and inserting 
‘‘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)’’. 
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(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. 105. ELIGIBILITY FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSIST-
ANCE FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF RESERVE 
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 following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBILITY FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE.—A member who loses eligibility for benefits 
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 pre-
viously credited toward this chapter credited towards estab-
lishing 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 include, 
in the case of a member of a reserve component of the Armed 
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Forces who, before November 25, 2015, established eligibility 
for educational assistance under chapter 1607 of title 10, 
United States Code, pursuant to section 16163(a)(1) of such 
title, but lost eligibility for such educational assistance pur-
suant 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, as amended by section 104(a), shall 
be construed to include an individual who, before November 
25, 2015, established eligibility for educational assistance 
under chapter 1607 of title 10, United States Code, pursu-
ant to section 16163(b) 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 eligi-
bility for educational assistance under chapter 33 of such 
title by crediting towards such chapter service previously 
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 remain-
ing under chapter 1607 of title 10, United States Code, at 
the time of conversion to chapter 33 of title 38, United 
States Code. 
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SEC. 106. 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 sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to initial enrollment 
in a program of education on or after August 1, 2018. 
SEC. 107. 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 one month’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘for each amount paid that 
equals’’ and inserting ‘‘payable’’. 
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(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 charged for the 
test relative to the rate for one 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 learning’’. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
Act shall apply to a test taken on or after August 1, 2018. 
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SEC. 
108. 
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: 
‘‘§ 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.—Subject 
to subsection (c), the payment of educational assistance de-
scribed in this paragraph is the payment of such assistance 
to an individual for pursuit of a course or program of edu-
cation at an educational institution under chapters 30, 32, 
33, or 35 of this title, or chapters 1606 or 1607 of title 
10, if the Secretary determines that the individual— 
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‘‘(1) was forced to discontinue the pursuit of 
such course or program as a result of— 
‘‘(A) the permanent closure of the edu-
cational institution; or 
‘‘(B) the disapproval of the course or a 
course that is a necessary part of that program 
under this chapter by reason of— 
‘‘(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 applica-
ble aggregate period under section 3695 of this title shall 
not exceed the aggregate of— 
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‘‘(1) the portion of the period of enrollment in 
the course from which the individual failed to 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. 
‘‘(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 de-
scribed 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 edu-
cational institution under chapters 30, 32, 33, or 35 of this 
title, or chapters 1606 or 1607 of title 10, as of the date 
on which the course is disapproved under this chapter.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended by 
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inserting after the item relating to section 3698 the 
following new item: 
‘‘3699. Effects of closure or disapproval of educational institution.’’. 
(b) MONTHLY HOUSING STIPEND.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) section 3680 is 
amended— 
(A) by striking the matter after paragraph 
(3)(B); 
(B) in paragraph (3), by redesignating sub-
paragraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), 
respectively; 
(C) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(1) 
through (3) as subparagraphs (A) through (C), 
respectively; 
(D) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), as redesignated, in the first sentence, by 
striking ‘‘Payment of’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) Except 
as provided in paragraph (2), payment of’’; and 
(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)— 
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‘‘(A) during periods when educational institu-
tions are temporarily closed under an established pol-
icy 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 ex-
ceed four weeks; or 
‘‘(B) solely for the purpose of awarding a month-
ly housing stipend described in section 3313 of this 
title, during periods following a permanent closure of 
an educational institution, or following the dis-
approval 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, quarter, 
or semester during which the closure or dis-
approval occurred; and 
‘‘(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.— 
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(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 discontinued 
as described in section 3699 of title 38, United 
States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), dur-
ing the period beginning January 1, 2015, and 
ending on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
an individual who is unable to transfer credits 
from such program of education shall be deemed 
to be an individual who did not receive such 
credits, as described in subsection (b)(2) of such 
section. In carrying out this paragraph, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Education, shall establish proce-
dures to determine whether credits are unable to 
be transferred. 
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(2) MONTHLY HOUSING STIPEND.—The amend-
ments made by subsection (b) shall take effect on Au-
gust 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. 109. 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— 
(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 entitlement 
to educational assistance is transferred under this section 
who dies before using all of such entitlement, the individual 
who transferred the entitlement to the dependent may trans-
fer any remaining entitlement to a different eligible depend-
ent, notwithstanding whether the individual is serving as 
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a member of the Armed Forces when such transfer is exe-
cuted. 
‘‘(l) TRANSFER BY DEPENDENT.—In the case of an in-
dividual who transfers entitlement to educational assistance 
under this section who dies before the dependent to whom 
entitlement to educational assistance is so transferred has 
used all of such entitlement, such dependent may transfer 
such entitlement to another eligible dependent 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 oc-
curring on or after August 1, 2009. 
(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. 110. 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-
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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 el-
igible individual is an individual— 
‘‘(1) who is or was entitled to educational assist-
ance 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; 
‘‘(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 requires more than the standard 128 
semester (or 192 quarter) credit hours for 
completion in— 
‘‘(I) 
biological 
or 
biomedical 
science; 
‘‘(II) physical science; 
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‘‘(III) science technologies or tech-
nicians; 
‘‘(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; 
‘‘(IX) a medical residency pro-
gram; or 
‘‘(X) an agriculture science pro-
gram or a natural resources science 
program; and 
‘‘(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. 
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‘‘(c) PRIORITY.—In selecting eligible individuals to re-
ceive additional benefits under this section, the Secretary 
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 paragraph 
(1), (2), (8), or (9) of section 3311(b) of this title. 
‘‘(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 nine 
months of the program of education in which the individual 
is enrolled (adjusted with respect to the individual pursuant 
to section 3313(c), as appropriate), except that the aggre-
gate amount paid to an individual under this section 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 
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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; 
‘‘(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.’’. 
(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. 
SEC. 111. HONORING THE NATIONAL SERVICE OF MEMBERS 
OF THE ARMED FORCES BY ELIMINATION OF 
TIME LIMITATION FOR USE OF ENTITLEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) of section 3321 
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 para-
graphs: 
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‘‘(1) in the case of an individual who first be-
comes entitled to such entitlement before January, 1, 
2013, expires at the end of the 15-year period begin-
ning on the date of such individual’s last discharge 
or release from active duty; or 
‘‘(2) in the case of an individual who first be-
comes entitled to such entitlement on or after Janu-
ary 1, 2013, shall not expire.’’. 
(b) CHILDREN OF DECEASED MEMBERS.—Subsection 
(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 enti-
tlement—’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraphs: 
‘‘(A) in the case of a child who first becomes 
entitled to such entitlement before January 1, 
2013, expires at the end of the 15-year period be-
ginning on the date of such child’s eighteenth 
birthday; or 
‘‘(B) in the case of a child who first becomes 
entitled to such entitlement on or after January 
1, 2013, shall not expire.’’. 
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SEC. 112. 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 DURING 
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 determine 
the amount of monthly stipends payable under this 
section for such month on a pro rata basis for the pe-
riod of such month in which the covered individual 
is not performing such active duty service. 
‘‘(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, 
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or term, as applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 
2018. 
SEC. 113. IMPROVEMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 
OF THE VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRA-
TION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS. 
(a) PROCESSING OF CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL ASSIST-
ANCE CLAIMS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to 
the maximum extent possible, make such changes and im-
provements to the information technology system of the Vet-
erans Benefits Administration of the Department of Vet-
erans 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 Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a plan to im-
plement the changes and improvements described in sub-
section (a). 
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(c) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs shall submit to Congress a report on the implementa-
tion 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. 114. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HIGH TECH-
NOLOGY 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. 
(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-
gust 1, 2018, the Secretary shall seek to enter into 
contracts with any number of qualified providers of 
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high technology programs of education for the provi-
sion of such programs to eligible veterans under the 
pilot program. 
(2) PAYMENT
OF
CONTRACTORS.—A contract 
under this subsection shall provide that the Secretary 
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 edu-
cation 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. 
(3) QUALIFIED PROVIDERS.—For purposes of the 
pilot program, a provider of a high technology pro-
gram of education is qualified if— 
(A) the provider has been operational for at 
least two years; 
(B) the provider has successfully provided 
the high technology program for at least one 
year; and 
(C) the provider meets the approval criteria 
developed by the Secretary under paragraph (4). 
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(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 agencies. 
Such criteria is not required to meet the requirements 
of section 3672 of title 38, United States Code. 
(5) TUITION REIMBURSEMENT.—In entering into 
contracts to carry out the pilot program, the Sec-
retary shall give preference to a qualified provider 
that offers tuition reimbursement for any student 
who— 
(A) completes a program of education of-
fered by the provider; and 
(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 
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allowance for housing payable under section 403 
of title 37, United States Code, for a member 
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 in-
dividual is enrolled; or 
(B) in the case of a veteran pursuing a pro-
gram of education through distance learning, a 
monthly amount equal to 50 percent of the 
amount payable under subparagraph (A), multi-
plied by 
(2) the lesser of— 
(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 pursuit 
of such program of education, rounded to the 
nearest multiple of 10. 
(e) HIGH TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM OF EDUCATION DE-
FINED.—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; 
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(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 one 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.— 
(A) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than three 
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 Comptroller 
General. Such report shall include the rec-
ommendations of the Comptroller General for 
improving the pilot program and an assessment 
of each of the following: 
(i) The technology experience of the di-
rectors and instructors of the providers of 
high technology programs of education 
under the pilot program. 
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(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 edu-
cation. 
(iv) The admittance rate into the pilot 
program. 
(v) The job placement rate for veterans 
who completed a program of education 
under the pilot program in the field of 
study of the program. 
(vi) The average salary of veterans who 
completed a program of education under the 
pilot program and were subsequently em-
ployed. 
(vii) The average age of veterans who 
participated in the pilot program. 
(B) FINAL
REPORT.—Not later than five 
years after the date on which the Secretary first 
enters into a contract under this section, the 
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-
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gram should be extended and an assessment of 
each of the following: 
(i) Each item described in clauses (i) 
through (vii) of subparagraph (A). 
(ii) The percentage of veterans who 
completed a program of education under the 
pilot program who were subsequently em-
ployed for a period of six months or longer 
in a field of study of the program. 
(iii) The percentage of veterans who 
completed a program of education under the 
pilot program who were subsequently em-
ployed for a period of less than six months 
in a field of study of the program. 
(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 five years after the date on which the Secretary first en-
ters into a contract under this section. 
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SEC. 115. 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 EDUCATIONAL 
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 provided 
by educational institutions under subsection (a) for the cal-
endar year preceding the year during which such report is 
submitted.’’. 
TITLE II—OTHER EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 
SEC. 201. WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE. 
Section 3485(a)(4) is amended by striking ‘‘the period 
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,’’. 
SEC. 202. DURATION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER 
SURVIVORS’ 
AND 
DEPENDENTS’ 
EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 3511(a)(1) is amended— 
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(1) by striking ‘‘chapter for’’ and all that follows 
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 before 
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 SUR-
VIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) INCREASE.—Section 3532 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘$788’’ and inserting 
‘‘$1,224’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘$592’’ and inserting 
‘‘$967’’; and 
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(iii) by striking ‘‘$394’’ and inserting 
‘‘$710’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking 
‘‘$788’’ and inserting ‘‘$1,224’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘$788’’ and in-
serting ‘‘$1,224’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to a month that begins 
on or after October 1, 2018. 
TITLE III—ADMINISTRATION OF 
EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAMS 
SEC. 301. STATE APPROVING AGENCY FUNDING. 
(a) INCREASE.—Section 3674(a) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘‘out of 
amounts available for the payment of readjustment 
benefits’’ and inserting ‘‘out of amounts in the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs readjustment benefits ac-
count and amounts appropriated to the Secretary’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para-
graph (5); 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol-
lowing new paragraph (4): 
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‘‘(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 amounts pay-
able under title II of the Social Security Act, by the same 
percentage as the percentage by which such benefit amounts 
are increased.’’. 
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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. 
Paragraph (4) of section 3680A(a) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(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 a nationally recog-
nized accrediting agency; and 
‘‘(B) leads— 
‘‘(i) to a standard college degree; 
‘‘(ii) to a certificate that reflects edu-
cational attainment offered by an institu-
tion of higher learning; or 
‘‘(iii) to a certificate that reflects com-
pletion 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 and 
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 
U.S.C. 2302(3))) that provides edu-
cation at the postsecondary level; or 
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