(d) INCREASE IN AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE 
FOR ACQUISITION
OF HOUSING WITH SPECIAL FEA-
TURES.—Section 2102(d)(1) of such title is amended by 
striking ‘‘$63,780’’ and inserting ‘‘$98,492’’. 
(e) INCREASE IN AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE 
FOR ADAPTATIONS TO VETERANS’ RESIDENCES.—Section 
2102(d)(2) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘$12,756’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$19,733’’. 
(f) EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPLICATION.—The amend-
ments made by this section shall take effect on October 1, 
2020. The amendments made by subsections (c) and (d) 
shall apply with respect to individuals who have not re-
ceived the maximum amount of assistance under section 
2101 of title 38, United States Code, before such date. 
SEC. 4. PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS OF SPE-
CIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR 
CERTAIN VETERANS. 
Section 2102 of such title is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f)(1) Notwithstanding the aggregate amounts speci-
fied in subsection (d), a covered veteran may apply for and 
receive an additional amount of assistance under subsection 
(a) or (b) of section 2101 of this title in an amount that 
does not exceed half of the amount specified in subsection 
(d). 
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‘‘(2) In this subsection, a covered veteran is a veteran 
who— 
‘‘(A) is described in section 2101(a)(2) of this 
title; 
‘‘(B) first receives assistance under this chapter 
on or after October 1, 2020; 
‘‘(C) as of the date of the veteran’s application 
for assistance under paragraph (1), most recently re-
ceived assistance under this chapter more than ten 
years before such date; and 
‘‘(D) lives in a home that the Secretary deter-
mines does not have adaptations that are reasonably 
necessary because of the veteran’s disability.’’. 
SEC. 5. IMPROVEMENT TO WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCE.—Subsection (a) of sec-
tion 3485 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Individuals’’ 
and inserting ‘‘In accordance with paragraph (4), in-
dividuals’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) 
as paragraphs (5), (6), and (7), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
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‘‘(4)(A) The Secretary shall carry out this section by 
providing to educational institutions an annual amount for 
the institution to use in paying work-study allowance under 
paragraph (1) to individuals enrolled at the institution. 
‘‘(B) With respect to an educational institution that 
participated in the work-study program under this section 
during the academic year beginning August 1, 2018, the 
Secretary shall determine the annual amount to provide to 
the educational institution under subparagraph (A) as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(i) For the academic year beginning August 1, 
2020, the amount shall be the total amount the Sec-
retary paid under this section to individuals enrolled 
at such educational institution during the academic 
year beginning August 1, 2018. 
‘‘(ii) Except as provided by subparagraph 
(D)(ii), for each academic year beginning on or after 
August 1, 2021, the amount shall be the total amount 
the educational institution paid under this section for 
work-study allowance to individuals enrolled at such 
educational institution during the previous academic 
year in which individuals participated in the work- 
study program. 
‘‘(C) With respect to an educational institution that 
did not participate in the work-study program under this 
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section during the academic year beginning August 1, 2018, 
the Secretary shall determine the annual amount to provide 
to the educational institution under subparagraph (A) as 
follows: 
‘‘(i) For the first academic year in which the 
educational institution participates in the work-study 
program beginning on or after August 1, 2020, the 
amount shall be an amount the Secretary determines 
appropriate based on amounts provided to similar 
educational institutions pursuant to subparagraph 
(B). 
‘‘(ii) Except as provided by subparagraph 
(D)(ii), for each academic year occurring after the 
academic year specified in clause (i), the amount 
shall be the total amount the educational institution 
paid under this section for work-study allowance to 
individuals enrolled at such educational institution 
during the previous academic year in which individ-
uals enrolled at such educational institution partici-
pated in the work-study program. 
‘‘(D)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), if the Sec-
retary provides an annual amount to an educational insti-
tution under subparagraph (B) or (C) that is more than 
the total amount the educational institution pays to indi-
viduals under paragraph (1), the educational institution 
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shall return to the Secretary the unpaid amount and the 
Secretary shall transfer such amount into the general fund 
of the Treasury. 
‘‘(ii) If the annual amount provided to an educational 
institution under subparagraph (B) or (C) is more, but less 
than 25 percent more, than the total amount the edu-
cational institution pays to individuals under paragraph 
(1), and the educational institution plans to participate in 
the work-study program under this section during the subse-
quent academic year, the educational institution may re-
tain the amount of the overpayment if the educational insti-
tution notifies the Secretary of the amount of the overpay-
ment and the intention of the educational institution to re-
tain such amount. Any amount retained by an educational 
institution under this clause may only be used by the edu-
cational institution to provide work-study allowance to in-
dividuals enrolled at the educational institution. 
‘‘(iii) At any time an educational institution may re-
quest the Secretary to increase the annual amount that the 
Secretary provides the educational institution under sub-
paragraph (B) or (C). 
‘‘(E) Pursuant to section 3690(c), section 3693, and 
other provisions of chapter 36 of this title, the Secretary 
shall ensure that educational institutions carry out the 
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work-study allowance program in compliance with this sec-
tion.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Subsection (e)(1) of 
such section is amended by striking ‘‘subsection (a)(4)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(5)’’. 
(c) APPLICATION.—The amendments made by this sec-
tion shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, 
as applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2020. 
SEC. 6. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR FRY SCHOLARSHIP 
TO CHILDREN AND SPOUSES OF CERTAIN DE-
CEASED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of section 3311 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (10) as para-
graph (12); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (9) the fol-
lowing new paragraphs (10) and (11): 
‘‘(10) An individual who is the child or spouse 
of a person who, on or after September 11, 2001, dies 
in line of duty while serving on duty other than ac-
tive duty as a member of the Armed Forces. 
‘‘(11) An individual who is the child or spouse 
of a member of the Selected Reserve who dies on or 
after September 11, 2001— 
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‘‘(A) from a service-connected disability; 
and 
‘‘(B) not later than four years after the date 
of the last discharge or release of that member 
from active duty or active duty for training.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY DATE.—The amendments made by 
subsection (a) apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or 
term, as applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2020. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Subsection (f) of such section is amended by 
striking ‘‘paragraph (9)’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘paragraphs (9), (10), and (11)’’. 
(2) Section 3322 of such title is amended— 
(A) in subsection (e), by striking both ‘‘sec-
tions 3311(b)(9) and 3319’’ and inserting ‘‘sec-
tion 3319 and paragraph (9), (10), or (11) of 
section 3311 of this title’’; 
(B) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘section 
3311(b)(9)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (9), (10), 
or (11) of section 3311 of this title’’; and 
(C) in subsection (h)(2), by striking ‘‘either 
section 3311(b)(9) or chapter 35’’ and inserting 
‘‘either chapter 35 or paragraph (9), (10), or 
(11) of section 3311’’. 
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SEC. 7. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN PREPARATORY COURSES 
AS PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION FOR PUR-
POSES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS 
EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE 
PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 33 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3315A 
the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3315B. Preparatory courses for licensure, certifi-
cation, or national tests 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—An individual entitled to edu-
cational assistance under this chapter shall also be entitled 
to payment for a preparatory course for a licensing or cer-
tification test that is required or used to enter into, main-
tain, or advance in employment in a predetermined and 
identified vocation or profession. 
‘‘(b) AMOUNT.—The amount of educational assistance 
payable under this chapter for a course described in sub-
section (a) is the lesser of— 
‘‘(1) the fee charged for the course; or 
‘‘(2) the amount of entitlement available to the 
individual under this chapter at the time of payment 
for the course under this section. 
‘‘(c) CHARGE AGAINST ENTITLEMENT.—The number 
of months of entitlement charged an individual under this 
chapter for a course described in subsection (a) shall be pro- 
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rated based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the 
course relative to the rate for 1 month payable— 
‘‘(1) for the academic year beginning on August 
1, 2020, $1,460; or 
‘‘(2) for an academic year beginning on any sub-
sequent August 1, the amount for the previous aca-
demic year beginning on August 1 under this sub-
section, as increased by the percentage increase equal 
to the most recent percentage increase determined 
under section 3015(h).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to section 3315A the following new item: 
‘‘3315B. Preparatory courses for licensure, certification, or national tests.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 3532(g) of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or a pre-
paratory course described in section 3315B(a) of this 
title’’ after ‘‘or national test providing an oppor-
tunity for course credit at institutions of higher 
learning described in section 3501(a)(5) of this title’’; 
and 
(2) in paragraphs (2) and (3), by inserting ‘‘or 
preparatory course’’ after ‘‘test’’ everywhere it ap-
pears. 
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(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to months beginning 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 8. ADJUSTMENT OF LOAN FEES. 
Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking the loan fee table and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘Type of loan 
Active duty 
veteran 
Reservist 
Other 
obligor 
(A)(i) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to 
purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, 
or any other initial loan described in section 
3710(a) other than with 5-down or 10-down 
(closed on or after October 1, 2004, and before 
January 1, 2020) 
2.15 
2.40 
NA 
(A)(ii) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to 
purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, 
or any other initial loan described in section 
3710(a) other than with 5-down or 10-down 
(closed on or after January 1, 2020, and before 
October 1, 2027) 
2.30 
2.30 
NA 
(A)(iii) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to 
purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, 
or any other initial loan described in section 
3710(a) other than with 5-down or 10-down 
(closed on or after October 1, 2027, and before 
October 1, 2029) 
2.15 
2.15 
NA 
(A)(iv) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to 
purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, 
or any other initial loan described in section 
3710(a) other than with 5-down or 10-down 
(closed on or after October 1, 2029) 
1.40 
1.40 
NA 
(B)(i) Subsequent loan described in section 
3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling 
with 0-down, or any other subsequent loan de-
scribed in section 3710(a) (closed on or after Oc-
tober 1, 2004, and before January 1, 2020) 
3.30 
3.30 
NA 
(B)(ii) Subsequent loan described in section 
3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling 
with 0-down, or any other subsequent loan de-
scribed in section 3710(a) (closed on or after 
January 1, 2020, and before October 1, 2027) 
3.60 
3.60 
NA 
(B)(iii) Subsequent loan described in section 
3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling 
with 0-down, or any other subsequent loan de-
scribed in section 3710(a) (closed on or after Oc-
tober 1, 2027, and before October 1, 2029) 
3.30 
3.30 
NA 
(B)(iv) Subsequent loan described in section 
3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling 
with 0-down, or any other subsequent loan de-
scribed in section 3710(a) (closed on or after Oc-
tober 1, 2029) 
1.25 
1.25 
NA 
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‘‘Type of loan 
Active duty 
veteran 
Reservist 
Other 
obligor 
(C)(i) Loan described in section 3710(a) to pur-
chase or construct a dwelling with 5-down 
(closed before January 1, 2020) 
1.50 
1.75 
NA 
(C)(ii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to pur-
chase or construct a dwelling with 5-down 
(closed on or after January 1, 2020, and before 
October 1, 2027) 
1.65 
1.65 
NA 
(C)(iii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to pur-
chase or construct a dwelling with 5-down 
(closed on or after October 1, 2027, and before 
October 1, 2029) 
1.50 
1.50 
NA 
(C)(iv) Loan described in section 3710(a) to pur-
chase or construct a dwelling with 5-down 
(closed on or after October 1, 2029) 
0.75 
0.75 
NA 
(D)(i) Loan described in section 3710(a) to pur-
chase or construct a dwelling with 10-down 
(closed before January 1, 2020) 
1.25 
1.50 
NA 
(D)(ii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to pur-
chase or construct a dwelling with 10-down 
(closed on or after January 1, 2020, and before 
October 1, 2027) 
1.40 
1.40 
NA 
(D)(iii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to pur-
chase or construct a dwelling with 10-down 
(closed on or after October 1, 2027, and before 
October 1, 2029) 
1.25 
1.25 
NA 
(D)(iv) Loan described in section 3710(a) to pur-
chase or construct a dwelling with 10-down 
(closed on or after October 1, 2029) 
0.50 
0.50 
NA 
(E) Interest rate reduction refinancing loan 
0.50 
0.50 
NA 
(F) Direct loan under section 3711 
1.00 
1.00 
NA 
(G) Manufactured home loan under section 3712 
(other than an interest rate reduction refi-
nancing loan) 
1.00 
1.00 
NA 
(H) Loan to Native American veteran under sec-
tion 3762 (other than an interest rate reduction 
refinancing loan) 
1.25 
1.25 
NA 
(I) Loan assumption under section 3714 
0.50 
0.50 
0.50 
(J) Loan under section 3733(a) 
2.25 
2.25 
2.25’’. 
SEC. 9. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
TO ASSIST BLIND VETERANS WHO HAVE NOT 
LOST USE OF A LEG IN ACQUIRING SPE-
CIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING. 
Section 2101 of title 38, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2)(B)(ii)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subclause (I), 
by striking ‘‘due to—’’ and inserting ‘‘due to 
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blindness in both eyes, having central visual acu-
ity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the 
use of a standard correcting lens. For the pur-
poses of this clause, an eye with a limitation in 
the fields of vision such that the widest diameter 
of the visual field subtends an angle no greater 
than 20 degrees shall be considered as having a 
central visual acuity of 20/200 or less.’’; and 
(B) by striking subclauses (I) and (II); and 
(2) in subsection (b)(2)— 
(A) by striking subparagraph (A); and 
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) 
and (C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respec-
tively. 
Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘A bill to amend title 
38, United States Code, to provide for improvements to 
the specially adapted housing program and educational 
assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs, and for other purposes.’’. 
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Union Calendar No. 124 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 3504 
[Report No. 116–164] 
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide 
for improvements to the specially adapted hous-
ing program of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs, and for other purposes. 
JULY 22, 2019 
Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee 
of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and or-
dered to be printed 
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